2025 Annual Conference
Keynote Conversation: Wednesday, February 26 at 1:30 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab and The Rev. Canon Ranjit K. Mathews
As Christians, our hope is based on who God is and what God does in history. We live in a time of significant transition – causing stress, anxiety, and, at times, paralyzing fear. What do we do when personal, economic, and political realities or powerful narratives overwhelm us? These powers and principalities challenge us as Christ’s disciples, impeding our mission towards God’s dream for creation. In the shadow of various narratives of power, tabernacled HOPE is a healing and transforming force.
“Hope in the Shadow of Power” is not merely about surviving in a time of uncertainty but about leading with purpose. How do we, as Church leaders, embody a leadership that draws from the deep wells of hope found in the Gospel? How do we resist the forces that seek to paralyze us, and instead lead with courage and vision toward God’s dream for creation?
In this keynote conversation, the Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab and the Rev. Canon Ranjit K. Mathews will explore the biblical and theological foundations of hope as a healing, mobilizing force that is deeply embedded in the way of Jesus. They will reflect on what it means to lead in an age where narratives of power and control dominate and how the Church can offer a counter-narrative—one that centers on justice, compassion, and transformative love.
Key questions they will address include:
- How do we lead with purpose in a world where fear often overwhelms faith?
- What does it mean to embody hope, not just as an abstract concept, but as a lived practice in our communities?
- How can we, as leaders, create spaces where hope thrives and empowers others to act courageously?
Drawing from their own experiences in ministry and leadership, both Rev. Dr. Diab and Rev. Canon Mathews will share practical insights.
Speakers:
The Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab
Rector
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
Ramallah, Palestine
Biography
The Rev. Canon Ranjit K. Mathews
Canon to the Ordinary
Episcopal Church in Connecticut
Meriden, Connecticut
Biography
Keynote Conversation: Wednesday, February 26 at 4:30 p.m.
The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Presiding Bishop
We are honored to welcome the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, newly elected Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, as a keynote speaker at the 40th Annual Episcopal Parish Network Conference, February 25-28, 2025, in Kansas City. Bishop Sean, known for his innovative leadership and deep pastoral insight, will share his transformative vision for the future of the Episcopal Church.
Having recently been elected to serve as Presiding Bishop, Bishop Sean will discuss the bold structural changes necessary to ensure the Church’s vitality in an ever-evolving world. Drawing on his experience leading the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, he will explore new models of church leadership, governance, and collaboration that will shape the Church’s path forward.
In this time of turbulence and change in the Church and society, Bishop Sean will also speak to the pastoral challenges facing congregations, offering guidance on how to lead with compassion, resilience, and hope. His conversation will inspire attendees to think deeply about the Church’s mission and the opportunities ahead.
Join us for this pivotal conversation as Bishop Sean shares his vision for a renewed Episcopal Church and how we can navigate this moment of transition with grace and courage.
Speaker:
Keynote Conversation: Thursday, February 27 at 11:00 a.m.
Mr. Bob Kendrick and Mr. William Mattox
We live in an era of deep division, reflected in our families, communities, and broader society. Yet, as Christians, we are called to follow Jesus’ teachings of peace, love, and hope—to bridge these divides and heal the fractures in our world.
In this keynote conversation, William Mattox of The Village Square, and Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, come together to discuss what we can learn about building community, connection, and resilience in the face of adversity. The Negro Leagues, which rose from the segregation of Black players in professional baseball, were not just about the game. They were a bold statement for civil rights, offering a platform for Black Americans to showcase their talent, defy the odds, and push back against the systemic racism of the time.
However, the story of the Negro Leagues is complex. They offered pride, opportunity, and success for Black athletes, yet the eventual integration of Major League Baseball both elevated individual players and undermined the institutions that had nurtured them. This history reflects the complicated nature of progress, where gains in equality can also lead to losses in community.
For the Episcopal Church, the Negro Leagues provide important lessons. Just as these athletes persevered through hardship to build a movement that transcended sport, churches can play a pivotal role in fostering dialogue and creating spaces of belonging and healing. Bob Kendrick’s work in preserving this legacy is a testament to the power of history in shaping a more inclusive future. His insights offer a blueprint for how churches might engage with issues of race, identity, and justice.
William Mattox plays a key role in fostering conversations that bridge political, religious, and racial divides—vital work that has earned him national recognition as a model for grassroots bridge-building. His work highlights the power of civil society to foster understanding, from commemorating Jackie Robinson’s legacy to sharing lessons from the civil rights movement through George Mason University’s Voices for Liberty program. William’s bridge-building efforts offer Episcopal churches a model for engaging diverse perspectives and becoming beacons of reconciliation and hope in a divided world.
Together, William and Bob will explore how history, identity, and leadership can inspire creative solutions to today’s divisions. Their conversation will highlight how the church can build meaningful, lasting connections by engaging in courageous conversations, much like the ones that have shaped the legacies of the Negro Leagues and continue at The Village Square.
Speakers:
Mr. Bob Kendrick
President
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Kansas City, Missouri
Biography
Mr. William Mattox
The Village Square
Tallahassee, Florida
Biography
Keynote Conversation: Friday, February 28 at 9:00 a.m.
Dr. Ryan Burge, The Rev. Dr. Molly James, Dr. Matthew Price
Join a dynamic and insightful keynote conversation that delves into the implications and opportunities demographic data offers for the Episcopal Church and the broader church community in this pivotal moment. This engaging panel features three distinguished voices, each bringing a unique expertise to the conversation: Dr. Ryan Burge, the Rev. Dr. Molly James, and Dr. Matthew Price.
Dr. Ryan Burge, a renowned political scientist and creator of the popular blog Graphs About Religion, is an expert in analyzing religious trends through data. As a professor at Eastern Illinois University, Burge has a deep understanding of how demographic shifts influence religious affiliation, behavior, and identity. His data-driven insights offer a fresh lens on how churches can better understand and engage with changing populations.
The Rev. Dr. Molly James, a theologian and ordained priest, serves in the General Convention Office of the Episcopal Church. With her expertise in church governance and structure, James will provide a theological and ecclesial perspective on how the church can strategically adapt to these demographic realities while staying true to its mission.
Dr. Matthew Price, a sociologist and the Senior Vice President for Research and Data at the Church Pension Group, brings extensive experience in studying the life and work of Episcopal clergy. His work is foundational to understanding the evolving needs of church leadership, compensation trends, and the economic health of the Episcopal Church.
Together, this interdisciplinary panel will explore how demographic data serves as a crucial tool for planning the future of the Episcopal Church. By analyzing trends in population shifts, generational changes, and religious affiliation, the panel will discuss how data can guide decision-making on resource allocation, clergy development, and congregational growth. They will highlight how understanding these trends allows the church to focus its energy effectively, ensuring that the Episcopal Church continues to fulfill its mission of spreading the gospel in a rapidly changing world.
This conversation is essential for church leaders, congregants, and anyone interested in how the church can harness data to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Speakers:
Dr. Ryan Burge
Professor
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois
Biography
The Rev. Dr. Molly James
Interim Executive Officer of General Convention
The Episcopal Church
New York, New York
Biography
Dr. Matthew Price
Senior Vice President of Research and Data
Church Pension Group
New York, New York
Biography
Keynote Conversation: Friday, February 28 at 10:30 a.m.
The Very Rev. Dr. Andrew McGowan
Dean Andrew McGowan of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale is vocal about the shifting dynamics within the Episcopal Church, focusing on both the challenges and opportunities ahead. Join us for a keynote where Dean McGowan will speak to the realities of declining membership in traditional churches and the cultural shifts that impact the role of religion in society. Dean McGowan will share about how decline opens doors for growth, renewal, and transformation. Join us as he discusses the “birth and death” cycles of the church and the reality that these are not losses, but moments allowing new expressions of faith to emerge and adapt to contemporary needs.
Speaker:
The Very Rev. Dr. Andrew McGowan
Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School and McFaddin Professor of Anglican Studies and Pastoral Theology
New Haven, Connecticut
Biography
Closing Worship
Thursday, February 27 at 6:00 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining
The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining is the rector of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania and founder of The Hive, an online spirituality and wellness community. In addition to parish ministry, she is a published writer in both church and academic fields. She has also served on numerous Serminaries, Diocesan and Episcopal Church Conventions, Committees and Boards. Additionally, Hillary is a spiritual director, yoga & meditation instructor, bee keeper, and forest therapist. Hillary teaches regularly at www.thehiveapiary.com. You can find out more about Hillary at www.hillaryraining.com.
The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining
Rector of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania
Biography
Make your plans today to join us in Kansas City for a joyful and hopeful experience together!
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