2027 Schedule

8 a.m.
Registration and Hospitality Desk Open
Harre Union, outside of the ballrooms

9 a.m.
Plenary 1: Kathryn Schifferdecker, Th.D. | “Does Matter Matter?”
Harre Union, Ballroom B & C

10: 15 – 10:45 a.m.
Morning Prayer
Chapel of the Resurrection

10:45 a.m.
Exhibitors Open – Coffee and light snacks provided
Harre Union, Ballroom A

11:15 a.m.
Plenary 2: Cody J. Sanders, Ph.D. | “The End(s) of the Earth: Polycrisis as Context for Liturgy and Mission”
Harre Union, Ballrooms B & C

12:15 p.m.
Lunch Break
Lunch is available for purchase on campus at Founders Table in the Harre Union.
Click here to see the University’s recommendation list for local restaurants.

1:30 p.m.
Midday Prayer
Chapel of the Resurrection

2:15 p.m.
Advisory Council Extravaganza
Harre Union, Brown & Gold Room

3 p.m.
Exhibitors Open – Coffee and light snacks provided
Harre Union, Ballroom A

3:30 p.m.
Workshop Session A
Locations TBD

• Jennifer Baker-Trinity ’99, STM | “The Earth is Full of God’s Glory: Worship Resources for Creation in Christ”
• Sally Messner ’02, MSM & members of the Institute’s Advisory Council |  Liturgy Rehearsal for Evening Prayer
• Ralen Robinson, D.Min. | “Creation After the Garden”
• Kathryn Schifferdecker, Th.D. | Post-Plenary Q&A
• Benjamin Stewart, Ph.D. | “Renewing the Baptismal Watershed: Recovering from the Plume of Petro-theology”
• Rebecca Truland, M.Div. | “Landscapes of Prayer”
• Steven Zank, Ph.D. | “Understanding the Theology Behind Bethel and Elevation Music”

4:45 p.m.
Evening Prayer
Chapel of the Resurrection

5:15 p.m.
ALCM and LDA Reception
Lutheran Diaconal Association – 1304 Laporte Avenue
All are invited to attend a cocktails and hors d’oeuvres reception jointly hosted by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) and the Lutheran Diaconal Association (LDA) on the lawn of the Center for Diaconal Ministry, about a 10-minute walk from the Harre Union.

5:45 p.m.
Dinner Break
Dinner is available for purchase on campus at Founders Table in the Harre Union.
Click here to see the University’s recommendation list for local restaurants.

8 a.m.
Registration and Hospitality Desk Open
Harre Union, outside of the ballrooms

8 a.m.
Exhibitors Open – Coffee and light snacks provided
Harre Union, Ballroom A

8:30 a.m.
Plenary 3: William G. Fredstrom, Ph.D. Candidate | “Down and Among; Up and Away: The Material Realities and Ideological Imaginaries of AI”
Harre Union, Ballrooms B & C

9:45 a.m.
Workshop Session B
Click
Locations TBD

• Christopher Iceman, Ph.D. | “The Science of Community Air Quality and Building Foundational Relationships”
• Julie Grindle ’92, M.M. & members of the Institute’s Advisory Council | “Finding Your Voice as a Presider”
• Meta Herrick Carlson, M.Div. & Carol Meier, M.A. | “Here and Now: Liturgy as Spiritual Geography”
• Fred Niedner, Th.D. | “Preaching Easter 3b and the Rest of the Season”
• Cody J. Sanders, Ph.D. | Post-Plenary Q&A
• Elliott Stephenson ’11, M.Ed. | “An Introduction to AVL Tech for Parish Professionals”
• Steven Zank, Ph.D. | “Understanding the Theology Behind Bethel and Elevation Music”

11 a.m.
Matins Morning Prayer
Chapel of the Resurrection

• Led by Valpo faculty, staff, and students.

11:30 a.m.
Lunch Break
Lunch is available for purchase on campus at Founders Table in the Harre Union.
Click here to see the University’s recommendation list for local restaurants.

12:45 p.m.
Workshop Session C
Locations TBD

• Jennifer Baker-Trinity ’99, STM | “The Earth is Full of God’s Glory: Worship Resources for Creation in Christ”
• Mary Louise Bringle, Ph.D. | “The Trees Bear Witness”
• William G. Fredstrom, Ph.D. Candidate | Post-Plenary Q & A
• Fred Niedner, Th.D. | “Preaching Easter 3b and the Rest of the Season”
• Julie Peller, Ph.D. | “How Can We Reduce Plastic Contamination in Our Bodies and Our World?”
• Benjamin Stewart, Ph.D. | “Renewing the Baptismal Watershed: Recovering from the Plume of Petro-theology”
• Rebecca Truland, M.Div. | “Landscapes of Prayer”

1:45 p.m.
Exhibitors Open – Final exhibitor hour! Coffee and light snacks provided
Harre Union, Ballroom A

2:30 – 4 p.m.
Sending Eucharist
Chapel of the Resurrection