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Fourth Annual Epiphany Explorations (2006)
Journey & Discovery in the Wintertime

January 26–30, 2006

Megumi Matsuo Saunders, Bill Blaikie and Lois Wilson at Epiphany Explorations 2005.

An annual 5-day symposium in late January that inspires and reenergizes you, as you learn and network with others of faith.

Sessions included:

• concerts
• presentations by internationally acclaimed speakers
• workshops on topics of interest to church communities

Epiphany Explorations attracts ministry and laity in the United Church and broader Christian community throughout Canada and the United States.

Participants call it "spiritually rejuvenating" with an "excellent mix of speakers and music." (More testimonials below.)

Speakers for 2006 included:

• Raffi, internationally acclaimed family entertainer, songwriter, author, and ecology advocate.
• Joyce Rupp, internationally known speaker and retreat director, author of numerous popular books including Praying Our Goodbyes, May I Have This Dance?, Dear Heart Come Home and The Circle of Life.
• Richard Rohrbaugh, Paul S. Wright Professor of Religious Studies, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, internationally recognized for his work in the social-scientific criticism of the New Testament and author of six books including Social Science Commentary on the Gospel of John (with B.J. Malina), The Social Sciences and New Testament Interpretation, and The Biblical Interpreter: An Agrarian Bible in an Industrial Age.
• Bruce Harding, church musician, composer, and church music scholar, managing editor for the Voices United Supplement project.
• Nancy Reeves, Ph.D., registered clinical psychologist specializing in the area of trauma, grief and loss, author of I'd Say Yes God if I Knew What You Wanted and Found Through Loss: Healing Stories from Scripture and Everyday Sacredness.
• Lloyd Axworthy, eloquent statesman, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the University of Winnipeg, and author of Navigating a New World: Canada's Global Future.
• Rabbi Harry Brechner of Congregation Emanu-El in Victoria, a dynamic and stimulating teacher and a former administrator of three Jewish schools in New Orleans.
• Herbert O'Driscoll, Anglican priest, well-known preacher and teacher of preachers in North America, hymnwriter and author of books on scripture, prayer and spirituality, including Emmanuel and Portrait of a Woman.
• Bill Phipps, former Moderator of the United Church of Canada and co-founder of the Faith and Common Good network.
• Carolyn Pogue, a freelance writer and editor, workshop facilitator for children, teens and adults with a particular focus on peace and peacemaking.

Participants call event "thought-provoking," "fun," and "well planned"

Here's what participants have to say about Epiphany Explorations:

"A holy moment in the church's life and a marvelous gift of the spirit"

"Thought-provoking, challenging and affirming"

"Top notch conference. Very professionally [and] well planned."

"Learning has never been so much fun!"

"Wonderful tone, harmony, choice of music"

"Your gift of this conference to the United Church is exceptional"

"Administration, hospitality and the program blended to make an excellent experience."