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The Parent Café Speaker Series: Nurturing the Spirit in Our Families- Seattle- Fall 2013

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The Parent Café Speaker Series:

Nurturing the Spirit in Our Families

Fall 2013

University Temple United Methodist Church

1415 NE 43rd Street Seattle, Washington

university temple UMC seattle

Raising children and building strong families brings great joy, yet can also be a lonely journey that challenges the mind, body and spirit. As adults striving to instill a spirit of gratitude, a sense of mystery, and a commitment to progressive values in our children, we often overlook our own need for spiritual nurturing. Join us for this three part series led by local and national speakers who will share practical ideas for how parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends can nurture spirituality and build lives filled with meaning, both for ourselves and for our children. Light refreshments and childcare will be provided. Validation for parking at the UW Bookstore is available.

 

October 16th 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Nurturing the Spirit in Our Families: An Interfaith Perspective

Rev. Rich Lang, Pastor, University Temple United Methodist Church Jamal Rahman, Muslim Sufi Minister, Seattle’s Interfaith Community Sanctuary

 

October 30th 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Nurturing the Spirit of Our Children

DeAnna Texley, Teacher, University Temple Children’s School Deshna Ubeda, Project Manager, Progressive Christianity.org

 

November 13th 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Nurturing the Spirit in Ourselves

Brenda Leaks, Middle School Principal and Member, University Temple
Rev. Jim Burklo, Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California

 

The Parent Café: Speaker Bios

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Rev. Jim Burklo is the Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. He also teaches at USC’s School of Social Work and the Keck School of Medicine. Ordained in the United Church of Christ, Rev. Burklo served as the ecumenical Protestant minister at Stanford University and also pastored two Bay Area churches. Rev. Burklo serves on the board of directors of Progressive Christians Uniting and is the author of four books including Open Christianity: Home by Another Road andHitchhikingtoAlaska:TheWayofSoulfulService. Healsohasapopularblog,Musings.

Rev. Rich Lang is the father of two sons and is the Pastor of University Temple United Methodist Church. His ministry has been recognized through the Church Council of Greater Seattle’s Gertrude Appel Pioneering Spirit Award, and the Rauschenbusch Award for Leadership in the Social Gospel. Rev. Lang is a bi-weekly columnist for Real Change, and his ministry has been written about in Natural Saints: How People of Faith Are Working to Save God’s Earth, and Fixing America: Breaking the Stranglehold of Corporate Rule, Big Media and the Religious Right.

Brenda Leaks is an educator who has spent the last 15 years working with middle school students in both public and private schools. She believes that education has the power to change individuals and communities. Ms. Leaks is also a member of University Temple United Methodist Church and serves on the Advisory Board of Children and Family Ministries. She has taught Sunday School, helped to plan retreats with children, and served the community in numerous ways. Ms. Leaks has a four-year- old son, Jackson.

Jamal Rahman is Cofounder of and Muslim Sufi minister at Seattle’s Interfaith Community Sanctuary and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. He has been featured in the New York Times, CBS News, BBC, and various NPR programs, and is a popular speaker on Islam, Sufi spirituality, and interfaith relations. Mr. Rahman is the author and coauthor of several books including Rumi & Muslim Teaching Stories to Enlighten the Heart & Mind and Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: The Eye-Opening, Hope- Filled Friendship of a Pastor, a Rabbi, and a Sheikh.

DeAnna Texley has been a teacher at the University Temple Children’s School for over 20 years. Ms. Texley also facilitates groups of teachers and other adults to develop the skills necessary to listen to children’s ideas and needs, and help them develop to their fullest potential. She believes in the ability of all children to express themselves and connect with others in a respectful, dynamic, and loving way in the classroom and throughout their lives. Ms. Texley grew up in the Free Methodist tradition and is mother to a 22 year-old newlywed.

Deshna Ubeda is the Project Director and Web Manager at ProgressiveChristianity.org. She helped create A Joyful Path, a children’s spiritual curriculum for progressive churches, and has worked with children for over 20 years in a variety of capacities. She has served as an administrator for the University of California Education Abroad Program, an infant specialist for a non-profit organization, a Spanish teacher for elementary children, a postpartum doula, and a yoga instructor. A Huffington Post contributor, Ms. Ubeda is also a coauthor of the novel, Missing Mothers. She is passionate about bringing more spiritual nourishment to children in today’s world.

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