Mission of the project
Our work is dedicated to empowering congregational lay and rostered leaders with theological and practical knowledge, resource, and confidence to foster intentional and authentic relationships within and beyond building walls. We aim to bridge the gap between faithful intention and community impact, guiding participants to deepen connections, cultivate support, and build a supported, inclusive environments that strengthen both congregation and wider community.
Resource Learning Packets
Featured Presenters
Dave Daubert
Dave is a second career pastor whose first career was in engineering. Dave's experience includes parish ministry, serving on a judicatory staff, and work as Director for Renewal of Congregations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, consulting, teaching, writing and coaching.
Danielle Denise
Pastor Danielle is an Ohio girl (Go Buckeyes!) that moved south as quick as she could to enjoy the sunshine. She is a graduate of American University and Duke Divinity School. She is married to Michael and they have two small kiddos - Moses and Olive. Our family loves the beach and baking. Danielle enjoys reading and loves chai lattes.
Photo: Emily Ann Garcia Creative
Emily E. Ewing
Rev. Emily E. Ewing (they/them) is an ELCA pastor combining creativity, spirituality, nerdiness, and the call to justice in Baltimore, MD. They co-host and co-produce the Nerds At Church podcast, a queer, feminist, indie podcast diving deep into faith, nerdery and the Bible. They also co-host the Horror Nerds At Church podcast, a ridiculously queer podcast about horror movies and theology. With the diakonia.faith collective, Pastor Emily also consults with communities of faith for anti-oppression trainings, Praying in Color spiritual practices, and whatever the Spirit calls them to.
A.J. Houseman
Pastor A.J. currently serves as the host of the Ten Foot Pole Podcast: Conversations about the Uncomfortable Bible and Campus Pastor for the Lutheran Campus Ministries at the College of Charleston. She lives in Summerville, SC with her amazing spouse and spunky 3 year old daughter.
Chelle Huth
Chelle, an ELCA Deacon, has been seminary staff since 2000 in roles centered around faith formation and youth ministry. Chelle has served on event planning teams to include Region Youth Leader Gatherings, Synod Youth Ministries, Cooperative Ministry summits, as Manager of the Curriculum Writing Team for the ELCA Youth Gathering and as a consultant for a variety of contexts on faith formation and learning.
Richard E. T. Jorgensen Jr.
Director for Evangelical Mission Pastor in the ELCA, Richard works with congregations looking to be renewed in God’s mission by deepening their faith, reconnecting with one another, and re-rooting in their community. Additionally, he writes and coaches on Mission and Stewardship.
Linda Manson
Pastor Manson has been a strong congregational leader as a Lay Leader and Pastor. Pastor Manson has served on the writing team of Hear My Voice: A Prison Prayer Book and served as a member of the Task Force that crafted the ELCA’s Social Statement on Criminal Justice. She also has served as a Facilitator for the Homeless and Justice Ministry Track for training new Mission Developers, as well as a coach for new Mission Developers. Pastor Manson also serves as a facilitator for the Anti-racism Network of the Women of the ELCA and has been actively engaged in dismantling racism since the civil rights movement.
Marsha Roscoe
With a deep commitment to holistic well-being and spiritual growth, Marsha Roscoe has dedicated her life to guiding others on a transformative journey towards a more intentional, meaningful relationship with God and others. Trained as an ordained minister, spiritual director, and wellness coach, Marsha brings a unique blend of skills and insights that shape her approach to holistic spiritual life coaching and consulting.
Emily L. D. Scott
Emily Scott (she/her/hers) is an ELCA church planter, and author of For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World.
Abel Arroyo Traverso
His lived experience is as a POC who's first language is not English. As a member and a rostered minister of the ELCA, he has been part of the Latino Strategy Team of the ELCA, the task force Churchwide appointed to write the Strategy Towards Authentic Diversity for the ELCA, and an elected board member of the Association of Latino Ministries of the ELCA.
https://www.facebook.com/chaoticbits4u/about_contact_and_basic_info
Matthew Zemanick
Pastor Matthew Zemanick (he/they) is the Program Director for Lutheran Disaster Response Initiatives as well as a community activist, writer and podcast host.
https://www.facebook.com/chaoticbits4u/about_contact_and_basic_info