We are excited about our line-up of topics, learning activities, and expert scholar participants. We will hold 3 online (OL) sessions in May, 5 onsite (OS) session in June across 2 1/2 days and 1 final online session. Online sessions are asynchronous; participants will read in advance and typically post on day 1 and read and respond to others by day 2. Onsite sessions run from the afternoon of June 3, 2019 through the afternoon of June 5, 2019. On-site session registration from 3:00-4:00 with opportunity for conversation and light snacks. The opening session begins at 4:00pm The closing session ends on June 5 at 2:00 with optional consults from 3:00-4:00. See draft session topics and presenters/facilitators below:

  • Pre-session Introductions to the Learning Community
  • Session 1 May 15-16 (OL) Introduction to Sacred Space Pedagogy with Debra Paxton-Buursma & Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk, Rukshan Fernando & Dora Hawthorne
    • Topic A- Space for God in our Pedagogy: Slowing Down, Waking Up & Paying Attention
    • Topic B- Space for Others: Defining Sacred Learning Space
    • Topic C- Designing Sacred Learning Space: Wilderness, Justice, & Pedagogy
    • Topic D- Space-Place Individual Exploration & Reflection Activity
  • Session 2 May 22-23 (OL) The Power of Semiotic Teaching: Text, Actions, Objects with Debra Paxton-Buursma & Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk, Rukshan Fernando & Dora Hawthorne.
    • Topic A- Learning Liturgies as Embodied Practices in Life: Wearing Skin
    • Topic B- Embodied Practices in Pedagogy: Can Learning Liturgies Create Safety for Risky Learning?
    • Topic C- Embodied Practices, Pedagogy & Story
    • Topic D- Individual or Group Reflective Activity
  • Session 3 May 29-30 (OL) Metaphors in Teaching: Encountering Visualized Meaning-Making and the Power to Embrace or Marginalize with Debra Paxton-Buursma & Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk, Rukshan Fernando & Dora Hawthorne "The images that we let take hold of our thinking influence the kinds of teachers we become" (Smith & Felch, 2016)
    • Topic A- Metaphors: Images & Objects
    • Topic B- Metaphors & Action: Journey, Pilgrimage, & Hospitality
    • Topic C- Metaphors & the Power of Place
    • Topic D- Individual or Group Reflective Activity - Fear: Getting Lost or Feeling Positioned
  • Session 4 June 3 (OS)
    • 3:00-4:00 Informal Gathering over Snacks
    • 4:00-4:20 Opening Welcome with Debra Paxton-Buursma & Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk
    • 4:20-4:50 Place, Space & Sanctuary with Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk
    • 5:50-5:10 Introduction into Pedagogy Design: Justice, Imagination & Embodiment with Debra Paxton-Buursma
    • 5:10-6:20 Sustainability & Flourishing In Life & Learning:October Exploration with Gail Heffner 
  • Session 5 June 3 (OS)
    • 6:30 Dinner
    • 7:15 Keynote Speaker: Flourishing in Diverse Campus Classrooms: Threats & Hope with Michelle Loyd-Paige
    • 8:15-8:30 Closing Devotions TBD
    • 8:30-9:15 Informal Networking & Reflection
  • Session 6 June 4 (OS)
    • 8:30-9:00 Reflection, Connection & Morning Devotions: From Cup to Commjunity in the Practice of Encountering Others with Debra Paxton-Buursma
    • 9:00-10:00 Rethinking Hospitality with Rukshan Fernando
    • 10:00-10:30 Break, Snacks, & Networking
    • 10:30-11:45 The trial & Error of Faith-Shaped Pedagogical Visions Panel with Dora Hawthorne & Kurt Schaefer
  • Session 7 June 4 (OS)
    • 11:45-12:45 Lunch & Catering Sacred Space for Risky Exploration: Injustice: Image & Object Powerful Semiotics
    • 1:00-3:30 Travel to & Experience Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia
    • 3:30- 4:00 Travel to Kimball Lake with Van Snacks
    • 4:00-4:30 Communion & Individual Reflection
    • 4:30-5:45 On Bended Knee: Exploring the Rhythms of Brokenness & Grace & Intergroup Dialogue
    • 6:00-8:30 Dinner, Conversation, Enjoy the Lake
  • Session 8 June 5 (OS)
    • 8:30-8:50 Morning Prayers; Reflection & Connection: Finding Sanctuary with Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk
    • 9:00-9:45 Sanctuary in Risky learning Activity & Image with Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk
    • 9:45-10:00 Visions of Reconciliation & Restoration: "What if" Pedagogy Design Projeccts
    • 10:00-10:15 Break
    • 10:15-11:00 Teaching as Bystander or Ally Behavior: The Power of Story with Debra Paxton-Buursma
    • 11:15 Break
  • Session 9 June 5 (OS)
    • 11:30-1:00 Lunch & Closing key note Reflections on InterGroup Dialogue on your campus & in your Classrooms with Pennylyn Dykstra-Prium & Christina Emundson
    • 1:00-2:00 The Practice of Pronouncing Blessings: Rethinking Assessments with Debra & Jo-Ann
  • Session 10 June 13-14 (OL) Reflecting Back and Looking Forward with Debra & Jo-Ann
    • Topic A- Reflections
    • Topic B- What if Projects & Feedback Loops
    • Topic C- Revisions