Rebecca Caldwell Speakers and workshops focusing on how you can be more effective
in meeting the needs of “the well and the wounded”
with the uplifting power of Care and Kindness.
How Pixie Dust Creates Exceptional Guest Service
53 years ago a man named Schuller had the vision to create a ministry—53 years ago a man named Disney had a vision to create happiness. The success of both visions is evident to the world! In this workshop, you will discover the secrets behind the magic of Pixie Dust! “Be our Guest” in learning how you can improve your business and your daily interactions with friends and family. Guest Service is the hallmark of the Disney name and this kind of service is what Christianity is all about. See for yourself how Disney addresses the Five Key Essentials for Care and Kindness!
Rebecca Caldwell began her career at the Disneyland Resort in 1989 as a Department Assistant in the Advertising, Marketing, and Publicity departments. She soon progressed into the role of a traffic coordinator in Advertising. While working in Advertising, Rebecca was selected as a Resort Leader for the resort. In this role, she introduced new “Cast Members” (employees) to the magical world of Disney, in addition to maintaining her other job responsibilities. As Administrative Assistant she enjoyed the opportunities for exceptional Guest Service and the constant challenge. She is the recipient of the Disney Dream (Disney Resort Experiences Are Magical) and the Disney Spirit Award for outstanding Guest Service. Rebecca is also a leader in the oldest club for Cast Members, Disney’s Christian Fellowship.
Rebecca is an active member at the Crystal Cathedral. She and her husband, Keith, are lead elders and members of the Adult Bible Fellowship. She is a graduate of MAT (Minister Associate Training) and will soon complete the Commissioned Pastor’s classes. In her spare time you will find her working in her garden or riding her 3 wheel bike around the community, just like “Mary Poppins”!
Suicide…the Silent Killer
Exploring the role of depression, recognizing the symptoms and warning signs as it relates to the growing epidemic of teen suicide. Awareness, Education, Prevention and Support.
Annette Craig lost her 14 ½ year old daughter, Amber, to suicide on May 25, 2005. Through the shock of Amber’s suicide a need arose. While striving to understand the path Amber so horribly chose, she learned some startling statistics about youth/teen suicide. With Hope, the Amber Craig Memorial Foundation was born with the desire that as a community we could help youth navigate through troubled times. With Hope is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting our schools’ and local efforts in suicide prevention through education. With Hope has provided educational presentations to over 20,000 high school students in Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties and to over 7,000 parents, teachers and community groups. With Hope has additionally presented our educational presentations to the staff members at U.C.I. Medical Center in Orange, Children’s Hospital Orange County, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and Pacific Clinics Bonita Family Center. She currently resides in Placentia, California with her husband and two teenage sons. For more information please visit www.withhopefoundation.org
Passing the Torch — Leaving a Legacy
Be presented with a plan for documenting your life's story, including your spiritual journey and ways to pass on your spiritual legacy to your children and grandchildren. It is the greatest gift you can give to them and to yourself.
Dr. Glenn DeMaster served as the Executive Pastor for the Crystal Cathedral. In May, 2006, he retired from his full-time position and continues in a part-time role focusing on teaching and pastoral care. Previously he served as Associate Pastor at Reformed Churches in Omaha, NE and Artesia, CA. He also served as the Executive Minister for the Regional Synod of the Far West, Reformed Church in America. He holds a M.A. Degree in Secondary Education and did his seminary work at Talbot and Fuller Seminaries. His passions in ministry are leadership training, coaching, teaching the scriptures, and team building. Glenn and Marilyn have been married 46 years. They have two children and three grandchildren.
Christ's Kind of Care
As scripture reminds us, we get no special credit for loving the lovable, or for treating kindly those who treat "us" well. To treat the world the way Jesus insists that Christians do, we need nothing less than a daily infilling, and accepting use, of His Holy Spirit power. Does our daily life show the fruit of this sort of miracle? Do we reach out to others with the care and kindness that comes only from dying to our own ego and accepting God's fresh power?
Stephanie Edwards has starred in film, television and radio in a variety of appearances, from musicals to hard news. She was a part of the live, morning news-interview-entertainment show in Los Angeles, "Ralph Story's A.M.", which became the prototype for ABC's "Good Morning, America". She has hosted her own 4-hour daily radio block; she was the corporate spokesperson for Lucky food Stores for 18 years; and she co-hosted the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade with Bob Eubanks for 27 years.
Appreciated for her unusual candor, transparency and humor, she accepts roughly 60 speaking engagements a year and leads weekend retreats for churches across the country. She has been a Bible teacher since 1978. She has been married to her husband, businessman Murray MacLeod, for 32 years and they are members of the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in West Hills, California.
The Hidden Hurts of the Adopted Child
Eric will share from his own experience of being adopted at age twelve—both the positives and joys, as well as the special hurts and pains of being adopted. He will help us to understand that even in the most ideal new family structure, the adoptive child brings with him issues that are often difficult and painful. In addition, he will integrate his adoptive experience with theological truths of being adopted into the family of God, whereby we cry, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15) and gain entrance into the family of God.
Dr. Eric F. Evenhuis, D.Min. MFCC, is licensed as a Marriage, Family and Child Counselor. He is currently in private practice in Alta Loma, California. The majority of his practice is with out-of-control teenagers and children. He is a Certified Instructor/Trainer for the Parent Project, which is an on-site parent education program. Dr. Evenhuis received his Bachelor of Arts from Calvin College, his Master of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary. and his Doctor of Ministry Pastoral Counseling from Fuller Theological Seminary. His wife, Nancy, is a registered nurse at City of Hope Hospital. They are the proud parents of two married daughters, Terra Lee and Natalie, and seven grandchildren.
Boundaries for the Soul of your Caring
In your ministry of caring you need good limits for your own soul care -
while you're helping someone and in your personal time - so that your
caring will be effective, sustainable, and joyful! You'll learn how to
maintain a strong sense of your self as loved by God so that you can
overflow to others with God's generosity and kindness. This seminar
will include time and space for you to be ministered to personally
through guided meditation and prayer. And you will leave with soul care
affirmations from Scripture to take home with you.
Dr. William Gaultiere, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist and Spiritual Director specializing in "Christian Soul Care." He is the Executive Director of the New Hope Crisis Counseling Center at the Crystal Cathedral (714-NEW-HOPE and NewHopeNow.org, ) where he has helped train over 1,000 Christian lay counselors since 1994 and co-founded "New Hope Online," the first live crisis counseling service of its kind on the Internet. Bill's passion is to offer spiritual mentoring to Christian ministers and leaders. He has been privileged to speak at the Crystal Cathedral's "Conference on Care & Kindness" every year since it's inception in 1998. To learn more about Bill, read his encouraging articles, or sign up to receive his free Christian Soul Care Devotional, visit ChristianSoulCare.com.
The Secret of Delivering Hope
God loves us all, especially the little people! We need no special credentials to be a follower of Jesus. Instead we simply accept our call, figure out our gifts and talents, prepare our body and minds to bravely leave our comfort zones and then touch the lives of people we notice who need encouragement. As Christians we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in our own communities. When we deliver simple acts of kindness, we please God. When we encourage others, we encourage ourselves. How do we deliver hope to the hopeless? We do what we can for who we can with what we have where we are—daily.
Judy Gustum is a past speaker at the Conference on Care and Kindness and will be one of the Plenary Speakers at the Conference in 2008. She was energized and motivated by Dr. Kok’s book, The Miracle of Kindness, and brings her unique laywoman’s perspective to the vision espoused in the book. She is a former teacher, businesswoman, Human Resource Specialist and a keen observer of human behavior. She is a popular speaker, spreading her views on practical applications of the care and kindness principles.
Judy taught high school English in her home state, Iowa, and in California and Minnesota. Judy is an accomplished musician — a chorister and a soloist and she is an active volunteer for the American Red Cross. Mrs. Gustum and her husband, Ed, live in LaPorte, Indiana, with their two daughters and five grandchildren nearby.
Using Care, Kindness and Compassion to Improve Workplace Effectiveness
Learn to approach each challenge you face as a new opportunity!
To build relationships with employees and customers that will last a lifetime!
And most of all how kindness, compassion and caring can make you more effective and turn your job into a career!
Mark Harris has worked in all aspects of consumer affairs for over 20 years. Currently he is Director of Customer Service for Alchemy and leads Alchemy Worldwide’s top-notch Customer Service Team. Mark believes that simply caring and offering kindness can solve most problems in the work place which has doubled his role. Not only is he the Director, but also serves as mentor to many of his younger employees. An accomplished leader/motivator and customer care expert, Mr. Harris is responsible for all customer service activities, including the development and implementation of customer retention and sales programs, training and quality assurance. Prior to joining Alchemy, he managed 14 customer service and customer contact centers for JEG Diversified Healthcare, a developer/marketer of surgical weight loss programs. Before that, Mr. Harris was the U.S. Sales Supervisor for Herbalife International, where he oversaw the daily activities of 175 sales representatives and developed the customer service programs deployed in over 57 countries worldwide. While at Herbalife, Mr. Harris's team received the highly regarded Purdue University Certified Center of Excellence Award for their efforts in creating and maintaining superior levels of customer service. Mark is an active member of the Crystal Cathedral, serving as a Ministering Elder, a greeter, a kiosk worker and a shuttle driver.
Depression: Fighting Back
Depression is a very common disorder in our world today. There are many considerations in the cause of depression. Sometimes a person has experienced a loss through physical death or through the ending of a relationship. Other times the depression is the result of life change or a chemical imbalance. Whatever the cause, depression is powerful and no one likes it. So why do we develop a relationship with depression? Its hold is so strong that it can replace the human relationship. We develop a type of loyalty to it and take it with us wherever we go. Learn ways to "fight back" and declare a knockout in the 1st round.
Dr. Debbie Hutchinson, Psy.D., is the Manager of Outpatient Services in the Behavioral Health Department of St. Joseph Hospital. She accepted this position in 2006 leaving her former position as the Director of Professional Counseling Services at the Crystal Cathedral. Her educational background includes: a Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology and 2 Masters Degrees, one in Clinical Psychology and the other in Counseling. She holds a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist and is certified as an Active Parenting Today Leader. Dr. Hutchinson is a Cognitive-Behavioral therapist and integrates Christian concepts into her work with people as requested and appropriate.
In her work in the field of mental health, Dr. Hutchinson enjoys providing skills that foster healthy relationships within all populations. She particularly enjoys counseling people on personal development to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their hopes and dreams. Along with her passion for developing people, Dr. Hutchinson is an active professional speaker. Her speaking experiences include: Universities and Colleges, Conferences, Professional organizations, and many other engagements. She remains active in the community by serving on the Board of Directors for two Boards whose purpose is to enhance the overall functioning of specific populations.
Loving Kindness is a Key to Your Happiness
Virtuous living, that is, practicing basic Biblical teachings, that seemed to be prescriptions for religious folks, is now being found to be fundamental to well-being for all human beings.
Twelve Simple Pieces for Brightening the World
Here are a dozen natural, simple everyday actions, mannerisms, or behaviors, that anyone can do, increase and multiply. Even one of them will brighten another’s life.
God is Love — Love is God
Does the world need to know about God’s power? Maybe, but if there is anything the world needs today, it is a vision of God’s love. Our first impulse can become waiting and reaching for God’s love when tragedy strikes. The amazing thing is that every one of us gives God to people every time we show friendliness, support or encouragement. Love, that is God, flows through us.
Dr. James Kok is Director of Care Ministry for the Crystal Cathedral Congregation of Garden Grove, CA. He has been an ordained minister of the Christian Reformed Church of America for 35 years. He speaks extensively throughout the United States and Canada. During his ministry Dr. Kok has specialized in the training of lay men and women, pastors and theological students in the art of caring and counseling, first at Pine Rest Christian Hospital and now at the Crystal Cathedral.
With Dr. Kok as the director, the Crystal Cathedral is an approved center for Clinical Pastoral Training. This is accredited training for seminary work specializing in the truly pastoral side of ministry. Dr. Kok provides both Extended sessions and Summer Intensive sessions.
Ann McClellan / Socorro Arroyo-Merchain
Disability Awareness and Etiquette 101
This workshop will provide some insight and information, along with do’s and don’ts when interacting with people with disabilities. Some hands-on exercise will be included. Join us and to learn ways of being inclusive and respectful of all people with different needs and abilities.
Ann McClellan possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of California at Riverside and has dedicated her career life to serving persons with disabilities. She has an extensive background with working with people who have multiple and various challenges. In the past two years, she has attended and presented at conferences regarding Disaster Preparedness for consumers as well as service providers serving persons with various disabilities. This has enabled consumers as well as service providers to have the knowledge they need when a disaster occurs.
Socorro Arroyo-Merchain has worked in the non-profit field for over ten years and is currently part of the Dayle McIntosh Center’s management team. For the past 5 years she has been providing Independent Living Skills training to individuals with vision loss. In 2004, Socorro became Program Manager and oversees three programs, the Aging with Vision Loss Program, the Health Care Access Program and the Community Organizing Project. She was born with congenital glaucoma and cataracts and the doctors told her parents she would be blind by the age of five. As an ILS Counselor, Socorro provides one-on-one independent living skills training to older adults experiencing vision loss. She also provides advocacy, information and referral, peer support, introduction to assistive technology and strongly believes in empowering people with disabilities to continue to strive for independence, inclusion, equality and full participation in all aspects of life.
Passionaries: Turning Compassion into Action
Barbara Metzler is the founder of The Passionaries organization and the author of "Passionaries: Turning Compassion into Action". She coined the word “passionaries” while interviewing the 35 people profiled in her book. “I saw them as passionate visionaries,” she said, “and though I did not intend to create a new word, ‘passionaries’ came into my mind and I knew that it described what I saw perfectly.” Her book chronicles the impressive accomplishments of organizations such as USA Harvest, Habitat for Humanity, Newman’s Own, and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and many more. The perseverance and ingenuity of each of these Founders is revealed in detail.
Barbara Metzler believes that sharing these stories is a way to encourage people to realize that, they too, can turn compassion into action regardless of their resources or obstacles. “Perhaps the most profound thing that I learned while researching and writing this book, is the occurrence of a ‘ripple effect’. One person CAN make a difference, and all of the passionaries in my book have done just that.”
Her organization serves to provide a network of opportunities to the nonprofit, the philanthropist, and the volunteer. Its goal is to educate connect and inspire a call to action. Ms Metzler says, “Together, let’s change the conversation around dinner tables and water coolers to ‘What are you passionate about or involved in that is making a difference?’ Your positive energies can change our world.”
Conference Song Leader
Bev Michielson has successfully created and maintained various Care Ministries in different areas of the country. In 2000, she founded ‘Through Me Ministries’, which deals with care on multiple levels from children through the elderly, as a means of coordinating all of her involvements. Throughout her career, she has blended a host of volunteer service projects with her professional singing.
She inherited her talent from a musical family and from her mother, who was a piano teacher. She marks her singing career as having begun at age 13 on a bus ride home from a Billy Graham crusade. Her early performances included several Junior Miss contests, leading up to her receiving the Miss Congeniality award in the Miss Michigan Junior Miss Pageant.
More recently, she has given a concert each year at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, beginning in 2001. She is actively working as a songwriter and publisher, with her most recent projects being a CD of children's songs for the KINDer Kids program in public schools and Christmas album of favorites. She has begun another facet of her ministry through motivational speaking to staff members and patients in hospitals, hospice and care facilities. These presentations have emerged out of her dealing with debilitating illness and chronic pain, as she herself suffers from an incurable illness called Peripheral Neuropathy.
Dr. Richard J. Mouw, Ph.D., has served as president of Fuller Theological Seminary since 1993, after having served the seminary for four years as provost and senior vice president. Located in Pasadena, California, Fuller is the largest multi-denominational seminary in the world. A philosopher, scholar, and author, Mouw joined the faculty of Fuller Theological Seminary as professor of Christian philosophy and ethics in September 1985. Before coming to Fuller he served for 17 years as professor of philosophy at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has also served as a visiting professor at the Free University in Amsterdam.
A graduate of Houghton College, Dr. Mouw studied at Western Theological Seminary and
earned a master’s degree in philosophy at the University of Alberta. His PhD in
philosophy is from the University of Chicago.
He has been an editor of the Reformed Journal
and has served on many editorial boards, including currently Books and Culture and Laity
Exchange. He is the author of 16 books, including, Consulting the Faithful, The Smell of
Sawdust: What Evangelicals Can Learn from Their Fundamentalist Heritage, Calvinism in the
Las Vegas Airport, and most recently, Praying at Burger King. His articles, reviews, and
essays have appeared in more than 50 journals and magazines. He is a regular columnist
on “Beliefnet” web magazine.
Dr. Mouw has also participated on many councils and boards, including the Commission on
Accreditation for the Association of Theological Schools (as chair) and the Council on
Civil Society. He currently serves on advisory boards for Religion and Ethics Newsweekly,
the International Justice Mission, and the International Center for Religion and
Diplomacy.
His wife, Phyllis, is an art historian who is involved in seminary and community programs. Their son Dirk, daughter-in-law Christine, and grandsons, Willem and Peter, live in Arkansas.
From Forgiving to Blessing Those Who Hurt You - A Spiritual Journey
This teaching will move from BEING FORGIVEN to FORGIVING to LIVING FROM GOD to LIFE OF PRAYER to LIVING IN THE FLOW OF BLESSING.
Lectio Divina: Holy Reading of Scripture
Lectio Divina has a four part rhythm: Reading, Reflecting, Responding & Resting. It is an ancient method of praying with the Bible, being open to hearing the words of Scripture, and receiving a personally enlivening, transforming word from God.
Dr. Vicki Orr served for 20 years as a pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo, California. She is currently an Associate LOGOS Bible Teacher. Dr. Bill Creasy, the founder of LOGOS Ministries, describes Dr. Orr as "a superb teacher who also has the nurturing heart of a pastor--a rare and valuable combination." She earned both her Master of Divinity in 1985 and her Doctorate in 1995 from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She wrote her dissertation on prayer and healing—her own story of many different ways healing comes through the power of God released in prayer. She is in the process of rewriting her dissertation in a series of books in order to encourage Christians and to give them hope. An important part of her education was an intensive one-year Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.) Internship at the Crystal Cathedral in 1985-1986, under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Jim Kok.
Vicki and her musically talented husband, Gil, live in Laguna Beach, California, where they raised their two children, Dawn and Brian. Vicki enjoys horseback riding, reading, Christian prayer and meditation, walking, and swimming. She and her husband, Gil, enjoy music and sailing.
Perspectives on Loving Someone with Autism
Three women — three perspectives: The Researcher will discuss the science that is studying the causes and potential treatments for autism. The Advocate will provide ideas on how parents can help get their child mainstreamed. The Teacher will share her experiences of working with autistic children on a daily basis.
 Tami Duncan |
 Christine Iradj |
 Charlene Lerman |
Tami Duncan is the mother of two fabulous kids, Michael and Jenna. At age 7, Michael was diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder. After struggling to find help for her son, Tami stumbled upon a local support group called TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) and soon became a TACA meeting coordinator for the Inland Empire region. While going through the autism journey, she herself started to become sick and was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease. In learning about Lyme disease, she decided to get her whole family tested and her autistic son, Michael, came back positive. Tami then discovered a whole online community where hundreds of parents had the same problem—the mom was sick with Lyme and the autistic child was also infected. Unable to find treatment that she would consider appropriate, Tami and Kathy Blanco formed the L.I.A. Foundation, which focuses on Borrelia and multiple-infections as a potential cause of autism. Tami is now the co-founder and president of the L.I.A. Foundation and in charge of all operations. www.liafoundation.org
Christine Iradj has two lovely children: Suzanna, 13, and an honor roll student, and Henry, 11, who is a charming young fellow with autism and a humorous heart of gold. Christine (C.T.) is a mediator for special education dispute resolution. As a volunteer for the Long Beach Unified School District, she helps parents and educators find solutions in their children's unique educational needs. She is the daughter of an Army officer and a German mother and grew up in Europe and throughout the U.S. She holds a BS from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.
Charlene Lerman has been a teacher working with autistic children for over thirty years, as well as those who have epilepsy, cerebral palsy or a wide variety of other disabilities or are mentally retarded/developmentally delayed. After receiving her Bachelors degree from the State University College at Buffalo, she has taught in New York and California, while also adding two Masters degrees. She has been teaching Special Education classes specifically designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Capistrano Unified School District since 2000. She says, " I firmly believe that God has placed me with these incredible children and my amazing classroom staff (who are all strong Christian women) for a reason. I am humbled on a daily basis to find myself in the position of this awesome stewardship and take my responsibility to these unique and beautiful children very seriously."
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
(Visiting the Sick—in hospitals, homes and skilled nursing facilities)
Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities can seem like a very alien environment and be intimidating to many. This workshop will show you how to make a care and kindness visit in each one of these settings with confidence. Important information about patient safety and new hospital regulations regarding confidentiality will be discussed. In this workshop you will learn how to prepare for such visits, the do's and don'ts in providing pastoral care that is unique to each settings, and the critical information you need to know to effectively provide spiritual care in Christ's name to those battling all manner of disease or illness. Practical handouts will be provided to assist you as return home to make these all important visits.
Rev. Donald Pederson has been an ordained minister for over 30 years, serving as the pastor of the third largest church in the city of Los Angeles and as a District Coordinator (or bishop), providing leadership and spiritual direction to churches in Arizona , New Mexico , California and Nevada . He received a B.A. in Bible and focused his graduate studies on Church History and Theology. He has extensive experience in book publishing and is a faculty member of a local ministry training school. Rev. Pederson currently serves as a chaplain at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank , CA ,where he provides pastoral care to the Cancer Center and the Emergency Room. Don is a trained conflict mediator, author, retreat facilitator and spiritual advisor. He enjoys writing, movies, and long walks along the beach.
Another Side of Adoption: Giving Up My Baby
Listen to Lisa Petersen as she tells her intriguing and intimate story of choosing adoption for her baby girl eight years ago. Though she felt the grip of fear and loneliness during her pregnancy, she tells of the miracle that happened in the process. Why did she choose to give up her baby? What happened that changed her life? Come and experience her vision of “care and kindness.”
Lisa Petersen grew up in Omaha, NE. After studying Biblical studies and psychology at Colorado Christian University, she attended Fuller Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity degree. While in seminary, she helped plant a church in Santa Ana, CA, participating in its planning, preparations, pulpit/pastoral ministry, and community life. In 2007, she participated in Dr. Jim Kok’s CPE program (Clinical Pastoral Care) at the Crystal Cathedral, learning how to better live out what Jim describes as “care and kindness.” Lisa desires to continue to serve in areas of ministry and pastoral care, and looks forward to her next venture on this journey.
Presence as Prayer
Topics covered will include: The communication circle; Communication without words; Scientific studies about touch, presence, and healing; Presence and relationship beings; Presence as Love (God); You don't have to have the right words or the right prayers if you are present to another; I-Thou vs. I-It communication.
Dr. Jan Pfeffer has her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Masters in Pastoral Counseling. Her experience includes teaching, in-patient psychiatric care, out-patient program development, business consulting, pastoral care, outreach ministries, and research.
Jan has been a past keynote speaker for the Interfaith Conferences sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association; a repeat speaker at the International Conference on Care and Kindness at the Crystal Cathedral; a speaker at the Center for Health Ministry Outreach at St. Joseph Health System; a panelist with Dr. Harold Koenig for the Medical Symposium in Newport Beach and many other venues. Her passion is the connection between spirituality, faith, and healing, as well as, the healing power of ‘presence', even ‘presence' without words.
Dr. Pfeffer is Director of Pastoral Care and Outreach Ministries at San Francisco Solano Church in Rancho Santa Margarita. She is an advisory board member for Accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) at Crystal Cathedral. In 1997, Jan completed a year long research study at Mission Hospital , on the ‘Effects of Touch and Prayer on Healing after Cardiac Surgery', and continues her involvement in the spirituality/health field. When not counseling or presenting, Jan loves tennis, traveling with her husband, and especially spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
The Ways of Love
We will focus on ten difference expressions of agape love, all of which are important tools for caregivers. Let us grow in love not just for the nearest and dearest, but also for the neediest, knowing all the while that love is not so much a place as a direction revealed in Christ. These ten ways of agape love are expressed in Christian scripture and thought, and each one is so practical and useful. As one who has worked for many years in the area of dementia care, I will give practical tips on how these ways of love are essential in our caring for the deeply forgetful. We will reflect on how living a life of love is good for the giver, as well as the recipient. In the words of Christian psychiatrist Karl Menninger, "Love heals - both those who give and those who receive it." Jesus said "'Tis more blessed to give than to receive." With the right support from the faith community, when we give care we discover a deeper and more meaningful life, despite all the potential challenges.
Alzheimer's and Grace
Since 1995, Dr. Post has led a national ethics education initiative with more than seventy chapters of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. What he has to say emerges from attentive listening to thousands of family members, professionals, and diagnosed individuals. These people deal with, often quietly, one of the major public health challenges of our aging society.
Dr. Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., is Professor of Bioethics, Philosophy and Religion in the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University. He is also President of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love - Altruism, Compassion, Service, which was founded in 2001 with a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The Institute facilitates research, writing, conferences, and courses at the interface of science, spirituality, and love for humanity. Through the Institute, he has funded more than fifty studies at major American universities on phenomena such as altruism, compassion, and forgiveness. He has chaired nine national conferences in his field, and delivers numerous invited lectures in the United States, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom.
His most recent book is Why Good Things Happen to Good People: The Exciting New Science That Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Happier, Healthier Life, co-authored with Jill Neimark. Dr. Post has published over 130 articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Science, The International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, The Journal of Religion, The American Journal of Psychiatry, The Journal of the American Medical Association, and The Lancet. He has written seven scholarly books on love, and is also the editor of eight other books, including The Fountain of Youth: Cultural, Scientific & Ethical Perspectives on a Biomedical Goal and Altruism and Health: Perspectives From Empirical Research, both published by Oxford University Press. He is also editor-in-chief of the definitive, five-volume Encyclopedia of Bioethics.
Dr. Post’s own research and writing was initially in the area of agape love and then in general bioethics, but two decades ago, he developed a specialty in ethical issues surrounding developmental cognitive disabilities and dementia in the context of an aging society. For this work, Dr. Post was elected a Distinguished Fellow of College of Physicians of Philadelphia. His research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and ten private foundations, including the Ford Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation, which provided the initial funding for the Institute. An elected member of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board of Alzheimer's Disease International, he serves on the National Ethics Advisory Board for the Alzheimer's Association and is one of several individuals recognized for “distinguished service” by its national board.
He lives in Shaker Heights, Ohio, with his wife, Mitsuko, and their two children, Emma and Andrew. They worship regularly at St. Paul’s Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Medical Ethics, Faith and Caring We will begin our discussion around a couple of questions: “Do parents have an ethical duty to either withhold or give vaccinations to their child?” and “How would you counsel someone you care for in how to fill out a living will?” The first question may seem a little odd, but it will lead us into talking about ethics in caring for children. The second will get us into end-of-life care: hospice, palliative care, and living wills.
Dr. Mark Spee has been a family doctor in Olympia, WA, for 19 years. He does a broad range of family practice, including delivering babies and caring for all ages from cradle to grave. His practice includes hospital care as well as office care. He is also primary care chief of his large group practice.
Dr. Spee received his undergraduate education at Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, MI. His medical degree comes from Wayne State University Medical School in Detroit, and his family medicine training was in Kalamazoo, MI. He attends Olympia Christian Reformed Church, where he is an Elder, and currently teaches a High School Sunday School class. He is married with three children, is an avid gardener and loves to hike and snow-ski
Understanding Bi-polar Disorder - Strategies for Recovery
A Christian leader and author shares briefly his story of recovering from bipolar disorder, helpful information for family members and patients about bipolar disorder, and hands-on strategies and tricks of the trade for surviving, recovering and rebuilding.
Dr. James T. Stout is an ordained Presbyterian minister and has pastored in five churches. His other ministry experiences include working with college and graduate students at Miami, Harvard, M.I.T., Boston and Northeastern University, doing social work with Young Life's outreach to teenage gangs in New York City, being chaplain to the men's violent ward at Danvers State Mental Hospital, serving as an Area Director with The Gathering U.S.A., a national ministry with business and professional men, and Director of Career Compatibilities, a career-counseling service. Dr. Stout has taught and written on topics such as mental illness, depression, bipolar disorder, stress, burnout, career transition, live planning, marriage enrichment and parenting.
Dr. Stout received his B.A. degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, his Master of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts and his Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.
Extending God's Love For Children
God's plan begins with the creation of every unique person as a loved child, embedded in a family that is supported by a community of faithful believers. God gives children as a sign of hope and a promise that God's kingdom will endure into the future. This hope is embedded in a process that binds the generations together. The birth of each child is a symbol of life's possibilities. They are a reminder that God wants us, expects us, and loves us. Christians honor God by extending God's love for children through caring for and welcoming young people into the center of our communal life together.
Building a Multi-generational Community
This workshop builds on the assumption that all Christians have a responsibility to care for children and prepare the next generation to receive the promise of God's kingdom. Beginning with the idea that "if you breathe, you have something to contribute" we will explore creative ideas for building multigenerational community in our congregations and neighborhoods.
Dr. Linda Mans Wagener serves the School of Psychology as associate dean at Fuller Theological Seminary. As part of the faculty since 1983, she also teaches courses on clinical work with youth. Areas of her expertise and teaching include developmental and dynamically oriented psychotherapy, positive youth development, and adolescent violence. She is committed to exploring the relationship of moral and spiritual development to adolescent well-being. Her work on adolescent well-being has been published in various scholarly journals, including Applied Developmental Science, the Journal of Psychology and Christianity, and Christian Counseling Today. She is co-editor of the recently published Handbook of Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Society for Research in Child Development, and the Society for Research in Adolescence, and has presented research findings at their meetings. She also serves as a delegate of the National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology.
As co-director for the Center for Research and Child and Adolescent Development at Fuller, Wagener gives leadership to various research projects that center particularly on positive youth development. One of these is the Fuller Youth Initiative (FYI), a major project that seeks to identify critical intervention strategies for youth at risk of violence and other destructive behaviors. The FYI research is funded by a grant of nearly $2.8 million from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Can These Be Fellow Believers?
An adult consideration of churches, denominations, and groups which some of us may have difficulty in accepting as part of the Christian church universal. We will consider a few specific groups in order to understand the historical and cultural elements which shaped their identity. In some cases we will recognize admirable biblical elements which will enrich our own experience. In other cases we will detect serious deviations to which we may not be immune. At the end of the presentation we will be more generous in our appreciation of these churches and will know how to communicate with their members.
Rev. Norberto Wolf is a consultant in the area of Christian ethnic/cultural relations and the former director of Race Relations in the Christian Reformed Church. Norberto’s roots are in Argentina, where he spent most of his life. He came to the U.S. in 1990 with his family and settled in Southern California. He brings years of Latin American and international experience in the area of ecumenical relationships. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Calvin Theological Seminary and is a minister in the Christian Reformed Church of North America.
Families in Mourning
Dr. Worden will present and discuss findings from the Harvard Child Bereavement Study, for which he is the Co-Director. This will include the needs of bereaved children, which children are most at-risk after the death of a parent, and ways to strengthen families with school-age children struggling with a loss.
Grief, Trauma, and Complicated Bereavement
Grief and Trauma share many common features, yet the interventions for each of these can be quite different. In this workshop, we will look at similarities and differences between grief and trauma and ways to help people adjust to these events.
J. William Worden, Ph.D., ABPP, is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and holds academic appointments at Harvard Medical School and the Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology in California. He is also Co-Principal Investigator for Harvard's Child Bereavement Study, based at the Massachusetts General Hospital. His research and clinical work over 30 years has centered on issues of life-threatening illness and life-threatening behavior. Dr. Worden has lectured and written on topics related to terminal illness, cancer care, and bereavement. He is the author of Personal Death Awareness; Children & Grief: When a Parent Dies; and is co-author of Helping Cancer Patients Cope. His book Grief Counseling & Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, now in its third edition, has been translated into 12 foreign languages and is widely used around the world as the standard reference on the subject. Dr. Worden’s clinical practice is in Laguna Niguel, California.
The Healing Power of 'Heart Talk'
Everyone speaks TWO languages within his/her native language; "Head Talk" and "Heart Talk". These languages are very different but both are necessary for effective communication. Being able to recognize which language is being spoken can enable you to respond in the same language and therefore make a connection. Healing takes place when two people connect heart-to-heart and often there is no need for words. Learning about Heart Talk can improve your relationship with family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors and significant others in your life. Head Talk helps us "deal" —Heart Talk helps us "heal." In this workshop, we will practice identifying which language is being spoken and rehearse responding in the same language, explore why people get hurt feelings when a message was meant to comfort or console, discover why people don't really say what they mean or mean what they say and learn to decipher coded messages and respond to the real issues.
Rhea Zakich is an author, speaker, workshop and seminar leader, and creator of the Ungame, the world's most popular communication game. She has been interviewed on more than 500 TV and radio programs and has addressed audiences throughout the United States and Australia. Her dramatic story has appeared in every major newspaper and publication. The winner of many community service awards, Rhea has been featured in Reader's Digest, People, Guideposts, Redbook, Today's Christian Woman and Psychology for Living
Rhea is gifted at the art of touching the human heart as she draws from her own unique experiences, blending humor with simple but powerful insights. She speaks on a variety of subjects and customizes her talks to the occasion. Her enthusiastic presentations encourage, enlighten, entertain and touch the heart of every age, leaving a lasting impression.
She is a wife, mother and grandmother, and active at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California where she is the Bible Study Teacher for The Women's NetWork. Rhea has been a member of the Association of Christian Therapists since 1986 and has led hundreds of retreats for all denominations. She has also been involved in Camps Farthest Out (CFO) for more than thirty years as a speaker and trainer of leaders.
Dr. Linda Wagener
