Meet the Peer Groups who are making a difference in their congregations and communities.
Anmchara
Anmchara (Soul Friends) consists of eight parish ministers, six Presbyterians (PCUSA) and two Christian Church (Disciples) located in the lower Ohio Valley, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Their focus is the emerging church movement and how they can lead their congregations to reach out to the communities around them in new and energetic ways. Their studies will begin close to home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, continue in Las Vegas, Iona, and India as they seek to discover what is next for the Church and where God is moving. Shown from left to right, top row: Connie Quinn, Presbyterian; Dan Harry, Disciples of Christ; Terry Bartlett, Disciples of Christ; Laurie Armstrong, Presbyterian; and Dan Callahan, Presbyterian. Left to right, first row: Scott Thayer, Facilitator, Disciples of Christ; Robert Nagy, Presbyterian; Jason Elliott, Presbyterian; and Sam Gibb, Presbyterian.
The ICE3
The ICE3, pronounced ICE Cubes, seek transformation of self, church, and world through participation in the Institute for Clergy Excellence. They are a group of middle age clergy who seek spiritual and professional renewal outside the routinely available continuing education events. Their call, as pastors, is to be effective in their appointments, and honesty requires recognition that age wears on a body and a soul. They seek to finish their active ministry strong and filled with vital faith and fresh ideas. They hunger for experiences that will transform them as human beings and as pastors/leaders in God’s church. Shown from left to right, back row: Bill Burch, United Methodist; Jim Ellison, United Methodist; David Naglee, United Methodist; Mary Lou Gilbert, United Methodist; Glenn Ethridge, United Methodist; David Jones, United Methodist; and left to right, front row: Alice Rogers, Facilitator; Jane Brooks, United Methodist; and Beth LaRocca Pitts, United Methodist.
Sarah’s Sisters
Sarah’s Sisters is composed of eight female religious leaders seeking to understand their unique voices as they learn to grow into emerging religious contexts. By exploring dynamic, creative, and entrepreneural ways in which religious and non-religious leaders around the globe articulate their vision, the group will develop strengths, better understand growing edges, and find greater vitality within various forms of ministry.
Shown from left to right, back row: Dorothy Ann Webster, United Methodist; Cheryl Blankenship, United Methodist; Kerry Holder Joffrion, Episcopalian; Wren Miller, United Methodist; Susan Sloan, Episcopalian; Sherry Birney, Disciples of Christ; Kelly Clem, United Methodist, Facilitator. Seated, left to right: Abi Carlisle-Wilkie, United Methodist; Beth Bahar, Reformed Jewish.
Jubilee Journey: Ending Well, Finishing Strong
The Jubilee Journey peer group will engage in a three-year pilgrimage and quest. They are eight male clergy, all over the age of fifty; all in, or approaching, the last quarter of ministry. They desire to stay vital and creative. They want their last years of ministry to be the best. They wish to access the wisdom that has come from reaching this point in life. Shown from left to right are: Michael Stewart, United Methodist; Dale Clem, United Methodist; Bob Blackwell, Episcopalian; Ted Leach, United Methodist; Bill Blackerby, Episcopalian; Hughey Reynolds, United Methodist; Roger Thompson, United Methodist; Michael O’Bannon, United Methodist, Facilitator; Not Shown, Bill Winters; Episcopalian.
Kindred Spirits
The Kindred Spirits Group purpose is to place themselves in an environment that allows their experience of God to shape their lives, ministries and future so that they may live out a faith that is authentic, responsible, effective and full. Their project is divided into three experiences: year 1 they will explore their own personalities and modes of spirituality through the Enneagram and study session with Phyllis Tickle. Year Two will find the Kindred Spirits in Iona and out of that experience will come a concentration on their own spirituality and leading their congregations from inward spirituality to outward compassion. Shown from left to right, standing are: Bart Bowlin, United Methodist, Facilitator; Reagin Brown, United Methodist; Frank Roth, Episcopalian; Ron McKay, United Methodist; Bob Owens, United Methodist; Patsy Carlberg, United Methodist; Judith Comer, Episcopalian. Shown left to right, seated: Kim Scites, United Methodist; Deb Epley, United Methodist.
Birmingham Eight
The Birmingham Eight Peer Group is studying Experiencing the Divine: How the Faithful Experience the Divine in all its Facets. From left to right, back row is Ed Hurley, Presbyterian; Steve Jones, Baptist; Ray Dunmyer, Roman Catholic; Tom Evans, Presbyterian; Barry Vaughn, Episcopalian; Jonathan Miller, Reformed Jewish. On the front row is Bob Hurst, United Church of Christ, Facilitator, Al B. Sutton, Baptist; Dennis Foust, Baptist
Hoi Polloi
The Hoi Polloi Group is deeply concerned with reaching the “missing generation” of young adults and building authentic community. From left to right, back row is Chris Dinson, United Methodist; Leeann Scarbrough, Presbyterian; Lori Carden, United Methodist; Dave Barnhart, United Methodist; Kipp McClurg, United Methodist. On the Front row, left to right is Lloyd Gibbs, United Methodist; Teddy Crum, United Methodist; Bill Gandy, United Methodist; and Brent McDougal, Cooperative Baptist, Facilitator.
