Workshops
Claiming My Sacred Sex
Dr. Elyssa Salinas-Lazarski | Join a workshop exploring the relationship between our bodies, our sexual selves, and our faith. As we are each in the image of God, we will deeply explore how our bodies–especially our sexual bodies–are made in that imago Dei. The focus on sexual purity in conjunction with faith has moved us away from claiming the beauty and sensuality in our bodies. We have a faith tradition that embraces sensuality and eroticism, if you know where to look, and we will invite the poetry and art of those voices into our space. In this workshop we will work through poetry, story, and affirmation to reconnect with our sexual bodies and our faith. God is with us in pleasure and ecstasy; let us explore how we can reconnect with our faithful sexual selves.
What to expect when you weren’t expecting this–Taking your mental health field guide home
Elise Seyfried | Following Elise’s plenary presentation (“What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting This”), workshop participants will have the opportunity to create their own “field guides” to their mental health. There will be prompts for reflection, writing and drawing, and a variety of ways to build each woman’s personal toolkit. Elise’s hope is that this workshop will help equip the participants to deal with the unique mental health challenges women face. They will come away with a deeper understanding of their own personal history, as well as valuable resources to support them through the decades.
In addition to her prolific writing and speaking, Elise leads workshops and retreats for groups (ELCA and other denominations), where participants reflect on their own mental health journeys, and learn how to cope with the issues triggered by their hormonal changes in every season of their lives.
What is Faithful Language for God? Exploring the Bible and Artwork to Find Out
Dr. Mary J. Streufert | Join this workshop to be inspired and amazed at the wealth of language and images for God! Whether you are curious or convinced—or unsure or unaware—what the conversations on language for God are about, this workshop is for you. Using Scripture and artwork, we will explore how language for God that is inclusive (of all humans) and expansive (of all creation) is scripturally, theologically, and evangelically faithful from a Lutheran perspective. You will leave with practical tools to engage others in your communities and reflections for personal devotions. Dr. Mary J. Streufert serves as ELCA Director for Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment. With 20 years of experience in this role, she has encouraged others to take seriously what we believe and what we think because what is in our hearts and minds shapes how we act. Her great love of thinking and talking about faith with others brings her into regular collaboration with others throughout the ELCA, the Lutheran World Federation, and among global scholars. She has published extensively as a feminist Lutheran theologian, including three books with Fortress Press: Transformative Lutheran Theologies: Feminist, Womanist, and Mujerista Perspectives (editor, 2010); Language for God: A Lutheran Perspective (2022); and with Dr. Mary Elise Lowe, ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Faith, Sexism, and Justice (2025).
I AM WORTHY—Even when the ground shakes
Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy | When life unravels through grief, injustice, trauma, or change, it’s easy to question your worth. But your worth was never dependent on having it all together. This workshop is a sacred space to name what’s been hard and reconnect with what has held you all along. Led by Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy, Native theologian, storyteller, and pastor, this session draws from her work at the intersection of spiritual care, Indigenous wisdom, and somatic healing. Kelly creates space for stories that live not only in our memories but in our bodies, inviting us to heal through breath, grounding, movement, and sacred storytelling. Grounded in the promises of Isaiah 54:10 that God’s love will not be shaken and Philippians 4:13 that strength comes from something greater than ourselves, this workshop offers a rhythm of deep reflection, gentle conversation, and embodied spiritual practice. You’ll engage with stories, grounding exercises, and spiritual tools to help you stay rooted in your worth, especially when life feels uncertain. These practices aren’t just for this moment; they’re gifts you can return to whenever the ground begins to shift. This is not about fixing yourself. It’s about remembering who you are. Come as you are, tender, strong, tired, hopeful. You are still here. You are still worthy. And your story still speaks.
Cultivating Courageous Leadership: The Diakonos Solutions Story
The Rev. Dr. Susan Rose | Discover how Diakonos Solutions is transforming the experience for women in ministry through practical support and mentorship. This workshop shares the journey of Diakonos Solutions, born from research revealing that women in ministry are still “not-quite-equal,” even when denominational polity says they are. Women are often left to navigate institutional and leadership challenges without adequate mentoring or support. Diakonos Solutions creates confidential space outside of institutional structures while nurturing women leaders who serve within them through mentoring, Spiritual Direction and DMin coaching. Learn how our two ministries- Stories Behind the Stoles and DMin Scholarships- provide both symbolic and substantive encouragement for women answering God’s call. We invite you to be part of this sacred work of cultivating courageous leadership with women in ministry—come discover how these initiatives are creating ripples of change across our faith communities and how you might participate in this transformative journey.
Love Listens – Supporting Youth into Safe & Healthy Relationships
Joy McElroy | Come to hear how each one of us can make a difference to support children’s growth into healthy relationships and protect them from sexual exploitation online and in person. This workshop will give you tools and resources to support youth in your families, churches, and communities. Joy McElroy, Executive Director of Cherish All Children, will lead us in engaging activities to support youth’s understanding of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships. Red flags, vulnerabilities, and online safety will all be a part of this interactive time together. Youth are striving for real connections and guidance in a world too often focused on social media, gaming, and online interactions. You will leave equipped to continue these conversations with family, your church community and others. Cherish All Children is a service within Lutheran Social Service of MN. Their vision is to raise healthy generations free from sexual exploitation, engaging church and community members to come together and make a positive difference in the lives of children.
The Transgender Experience: Myths and Misconceptions
Ginger Cutrell | The Transgender Experience – Myths and Misconceptions
An open discussion on what does it mean to be transgender in a world filled with deliberate falsehood, innuendo, and conservative political and religious misdirection. We just want to be the best possible version of ourselves – as God intended!
Religion and Politics
The Rev. Senator Sarah Trone Garriott | We’ve heard it said: don’t talk about religion or politics in polite company. But the truth is, both religion and politics speak to how we live together. To live faithfully with our neighbors, especially in divisive times, it is imperative we find a way to engage in both.
