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Epiphany Explorations (2007):
Journey in the Wintertime

Another successful Epiphany Explorations conference was held January 26 to 30, 2006. This annual, five-day symposium inspires and re-energizes all of us, as we learn and network with others of faith through:

• concerts
• presentations by internationally acclaimed speakers and
• workshops on topics of interest to the church community

Participants call it "spiritually nurturing and inspiring", "an embodiment of the gift of hospitality" and "moving, energizing and satisfying." Other testimonials included:

Touched my head and my heart.

Spoke to me on a level that I've been hungering for.

Excellent conference — good blend of plenary sessions, music and workshops.

Absolutely wonderful and so inspiring as well as a learning, spiritual time.

Refreshing and eye-opening

Total surprise. Totally captivating.

Epiphany Explorations 2007 was held January 18 to 22, 2007.

Speakers for the 2007 conference include:

Fred Craddock is Bandy Distinguished Professor of Preaching and New Testament Emeritus in the Candler School of Theology. He was selected by Newsweek as one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English speaking world. His books on preaching include As One Without Authority, Overhearing the Gospel, Craddock Stories, and The Cherry Log Sermons. He is the founding pastor of Cherry Log Christian Church and the director of the Craddock Center, a program for serving the needs of people in Southern Appalachia.

Rita Nakashima Brock is award winning author and a respected international scholar in religion. She is Founding Co-Director of Faith voices for the Common Good, has worked for over two decades in the field of religion in higher education and served on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Religion and the national boards of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. She is the author of two award-winning books, Journey by Heart: A Christology of Erotic Power and Casting Stones: Prostitution and Liberation in Asia and the United States. Her most recent book is entitled Saving Paradise.

Robert Bateman is world-acclaimed artist, an active member of naturalist clubs and conservation organizations and passionate advocate for environmental and ecological issues. Since the early 1960s, he has been a spokesperson for many environmental and preservation issues and has used his artwork and limited edition prints in fund-raising efforts that have provided millions of dollars for these causes. He is a member of the Order of Canada and has been the subject of film and video productions. Bateman has dedicated his life to preserving the diversity of the natural world.

Rev. Canon Martin Brokenleg is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Tribe of South Dakota, an ordained minister in the Episcopal Church, and Director of Native Ministries Programmes and Professor of First Nations Ministry and Theology at Vancouver School of Theology. He holds degrees from South Dakota State University in Communications and Religion, from the Episcopal Divinity School in Pastoral Care, and from the University of South Dakota in Counselling and Educational Psychology. He is the co-author of Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future and other articles on preaching, aboriginal thought and culture and the spirituality of First Nations peoples.

Lt. Gen. The Honourable Roméo Dallaire (Ret.) served for 35 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, retiring with the rank of Lt. General. His award-winning book Shake Hands with the Devil is a stirring account of his experience as the Force Commander of the United Nations Mission to Rwanda and exposes the failure of the international community to stop the horrible genocide in that country. His areas of focus, shared with audiences around the world include leadership, conflict resolution and ethical and moral decision-making. He is a Member of the Order of Canada, a Senator of Canada, and recipient of the United Nations Association in Canada's Pearson Peace Medal.

Derek Evans was Executive Director of Naramata Centre, one of Canada's foremost education and retreat centres, former Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International, and a long-time worker in peace and human rights throughout the world. He is author of Before the War: Reflections in a New Millennium. In April 2004, he chaired an international law conference to address the issues of the terror prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere. Derek offers a new model for practicing reconciliation in group and community contexts.

Marion Best, Vice Moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee, past Moderator of the United Church of Canada, and noted educator and consultant with church and community groups. She will reflect on the issues and outcomes of the WCC 9th Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil : God in your grace, transform the world.

Other speakers include:

Richard Rohrbaugh, is 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.

Donna Sinclair is a journalist and award-winning writer who covers a wide range of topics including women, social justice, First Nations, children and spirituality. She is the author of almost a dozen non-fiction books including A Woman's Book of Days and The Spirituality of Gardening.

Keith Howard has become known through his writings in the United Church Observer. He is Executive Director of the Emerging Spirit initiative and has a long history in the field of communication, including Communications Officer for the BC Conference. His presentation is entitled Leadership in the Post-Modern Church.

Herbert O'Driscoll is one of the best known and most highly regarded preachers in the Anglican Church, former Dean of Christ Church Cathedral and former Warden of the College of Preachers. He is the celebrated author of A Doorway in Time and Emmanuel. He will be reflecting on the upcoming scriptures for the Easter season.

Hear past presentations from Epiphany Explorations

Audiotapes from past conferences can be ordered online or at the Epiphany Explorations event.