Keynote Speakers

MORNING KEYNOTE

Jeff Chu

Jeff Chu is an ecumenical church leader, journalist, and the author of the acclaimed book, Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America. His book “captures spiritual snapshots” of Christian America: from the fundamentalist Westboro Baptist Church, to the pioneering Episcopalian bishop Mary Glasspool—who proclaims a message of liberation and divine love. The book earned the cover of the New York Times Book Review where it was described as a “fascinating, thoughtful, and important book [that] deserves to be widely read.” A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Jeff is now co-host of the annual Evolving Faith Conference which drew more than 7,000 people to its virtual iteration in 2020. You also may have heard Jeff in conversation with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on the Way of Love podcast last May discussing “Rest and Restoration.”

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE

Iyabo Onipede

Iyabo Onipede is a community builder who works with organizations that are ready to eliminate racism, dismantle oppressive systems and grow successful communities of belonging. Shaped by her biracial and multicultural immigrant background, Iyabo’s number one priority is dissolving the harm that Black, as well as Non-Black people experience as a result of racism and white supremacist culture. Iyabo graduated from Goucher College, Georgetown University Law School (J.D.) and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M.Div.). She currently serves as the co-director of the nonprofit organization, Compassionate Atlanta.

Featured Speakers

The Rev. Tura Foster Gillespie, Teaching Cultural Compassion

The Rev. Terry Kyllo, Authentic Allyship

Fabrícia Lima, Contemplative Creativity

Tina Francis Mutungu, In conversation with Jeff Chu

Michael Perera, In conversation with Iyabo Onipede

Bishop Greg Rickel, Closing Plenary Session

Christine Sine, The Blessing of Wonder

Pastor Terry Stokes, Opening Plenary Session

Workshop Panelists & Presenters

Dr. Jason Anderson, St. Michael’s, Issaquah

Jad Baaklini, Epiphany, Seattle

Sara Bates, Edible Hope

The Rev. Jo Beecher, Circles of Color

The Rev. Wren Blessing, Grace, Bainbridge

Greg Bloch, St. Mark’s Cathedral

Ashley Boaeuf, St. Thomas, Medina

Sister D. Bracher, St. James, Kent

Jim Campbell, St. Mark’s, Montesano 

Moriah Candler, Big Brothers Big Sisters, SW WA

The Rev. Carlos Caguiat, Holy Cross, Redmond

Denise Carrico, Harmony Hill Retreat Center 

Kim Cockroft, Grace, Bainbridge Island

The Rev. Cristi Chapman, Seattle Seafarers’ Center — Mission to Seafarers

Josh deLacy, St. Luke’s, Renton

Sue Dimmitt, Holy Cross, Redmond 

Katie Sue Eichner, Holy Cross, Redmond

Adrienne Elliott, St. Paul’s, Seattle

Amanda Fergeson, Seattle Service Corps 

Alex Flannagan, Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator

The Rev. Kay Flores, Godly Play Trainer, St. Timothy, Chehalis

Donna Greene, Diocesan Volunteer for Youth

Rosa Gibson, Friends of the Children, Seattle Seattle Service Corps 2018-19

Rev. Ivar Hillesland, Church of the Apostles, Seattle

Greg Hope, The Refugee Resettlement Office

The Rev. Josh Hosler, Good Shepherd, Federal Way 

Sarah Hosler, Good Shepherd, Federal Way

The Rev. Natalie Johnson, St. Paul’s, Seattle

Hannah Kruse, Grace, Bainbridge

Fabrícia Lima, Contemplative Artist & Spiritual Director

Sonja Lindberg, St. Margaret’s, Bellevue 

Emily Meeks, St. Mark’s Cathedral

Anne Miller, Meaningful Movies Project

Kelly Moody, St. Michael’s, Issaquah 

Katya Nemec, Circles of Color 

Baudelina Paz, La Iglesia Episcopal de la Resurrección

The Rev. Kevin Pearson, St. Luke’s, Renton

The Rev. Joseph Peters-Mathews, St. Hilda-St. Patrick, Edmonds

Martin Pommeranke, St. Paul’s, Bellingham

The Rt. Rev. Brian Prior, Assisting Bishop

The Rev. Lindsay Ross-Hunt, St. Paul’s, Bellingham

Aaron Scott, Chaplains on the Harbor

Sylvia Sepulveda, Christ Church, Anacortes

The Rev. Canon Jerry Shigaki, St. Peter’s, Seattle

The Rev. Deacon Polly Shigaki, St. Peter’s, Seattle

Ann Strickland, Grace, Bainbridge

The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Trinity, Everett

Sue Tait, Diocesan Resource Librarian 

The Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel, UCC, St. John the Baptist, West Seattle

The Very Rev. Steve Thomason, St. Mark’s Cathedral

The Rev. Samuel Torvend, Christ Church, Tacoma

Bill Tubbs, Camp Huston

The Rev. Edie Weller, St. Mark’s Cathedral

The Rev. Rich Weyls, St. Andrew’s, Seattle