AI usage is growing exponentially, bringing amazing new possibilities: finding new mineral resources, predicting cancer risks, and discovering new medications. But AI is also raising serious concerns – causing massive environmental impacts, encouraging human exploitation, and creating political deepfakes. And some researchers are arguing that certain AIs are already sentient. This workshop will be a theological reflection on artificial intelligence and the church: how do we respond to the changing landscape of AI?

Presenter: Grace La Torra
St. Luke’s, Ballard

For many, encountering deeper reality through contemplative practice is the beginning of, or a turning point in, their spiritual journey. Enabling this encounter is a subversive act – challenging society’s values. As Tricia Hersey says, “rest is resistance.” In this workshop, we’ll briefly experience the enfolding peace of sitting together and have a conversation about best practices in contemplative offerings such as centering prayer, Taizé, yoga, labyrinth, and compline, and we’ll talk about Underhill House – a unique contemplative ministry in the Diocese offering a quiet space for people, regardless of their personal situation and their spiritual tradition, or lack of one, to come in off the street and pray, meditate, or just enjoy stillness.

Presenter: Phil Fox Rose
Underhill House

Participants will have an opportunity to listen to two Skagit Tribal elders telling the stories, ancient and modern, of the Skagit Nation. A time for Q&A will be provided. One elder, the hereditary chief, is Jay Bowen, renowned artist, author and speaker. The other is his sister, Kay Knott, who actively works to build bridges between the peoples of the Northwest.

Presenters: Skagit Tribal Elder Jay Bowen; Skagit Tribal Elder Kay Knott; Dr. Paul Moore, St. Paul’s/Resurreccion Episcopal Churches

When everyone else in Lazarus’s life had given up hope, Jesus called his friend back to life. But that was not the end of the story. Jesus called the community to remove the stone that blocked Lazarus from life and then told them to get even closer in order to take off the graveclothes covering his face and restricting his body. People leaving prison face this reality every day. By connecting people exiting incarceration to churches and building communities of care, we begin to practice this resurrection in our lives, our churches, and our world.

Presenter: Candice Baughman
One Parish One Prisoner

How might preachers encourage parishioners to cultivate a connection with the natural world, to learn the concerns of the environment, and still have hope? In this workshop we will explore ways to read Scripture through a green lens, to find the good news for and with creation in the lectionary cycle, and begin to develop an approach to sermon writing that offers meaningful connection with the more-than-human world. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to recognize ecological markers within Scripture, identify key ecological projects within their own watershed, and start to build a library of resources.

Presenter: Dr. Kristen Daley Mosier
St. Luke’s, Seattle/St. Dunstan’s, Shoreline

Refugee resettlement has never been easy, and in recent years it’s further complicated by misinformation, selective reporting, and opportunistic politicians, especially during election seasons. This short workshop cannot cover every aspect of such a vast and important topic, especially since the Episcopal Church has been involved in refugee resettlement in the United States since the end of World War II. However, we aim to shed light on the thousands of refugees resettled by the Diocese of Olympia in recent years, the positive contributions they’ve made to their communities, and how individuals or volunteer groups can support both the Refugee Resettlement Office (RRO) staff and the newcomers we strive to welcome.

Presenter: Greg Hope
Refugee Resettlement Office, Diocese of Olympia

In this workshop, participants will explore the rituals of healing for use in church but also for use in the home, underscoring the often overlooked truth that all Christians can lead prayer. We will consider the rituals from the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and members of the Anglican Communion. Liturgical and musical resources will be available for all participants as well as a guide for preaching and teaching on healing in the parish.

Presenter: The Rev. Samuel Torvend, Fred McIlroy
Bishop’s Commission on Liturgy and the Arts

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community have often felt like church outsiders. Some have grown up being told they’re not welcome in the church, that they aren’t valid, and that being gay is a choice. Some have grown up as Christian, but either left the church because of how they identify, or have had to suppress their sexual identity. Join our panel for personal reflections on negotiating gender identity in the context of the church and for insight into how the Episcopal Church is seeking to correct these injustices.

Presenters: MJ Barrett, Christ Church, Anacortes; The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson, Diocese of Olympia; and Aaron Scott, Gender Justice Staff Officer, the Episcopal Church

St. Paul’s, Seattle thrives when we understand and join God’s mission of justice, reconciliation, and peace. Over the last decade, we have deepened our mission in the Uptown neighborhood of Seattle, primarily with SPiN – St. Paul’s in the Neighborhood – our week-in, week-out, intergenerational ministry alongside our neighbors who seek reliable and safe shelter. This workshop will share our stories, including the stories of some of the youngest members of the parish, and offer step-by-step ways to discern your own mission in your congregation and in your neighborhood.

Presenter: The Rev. Stephen Crippen
St. Paul’s, Seattle