After more than two years of making our way through a pandemic and the lock-downs that separated and paralyzed us, we find ourselves settling into a new normal. At the same time, we are fearful about the emergence of new variants, the constant political rancor, the appearance of deep national fissures and war in Eastern Europe.

And with all of these concerns in the background, we still have the usual, normal challenges of managing the foreground of daily life - caring for family, dealing with health issues, paying the bills and more. How do we face the realities of where we are, and continue to move forward, finding satisfaction and even joy in life? How do we use the lessons we have learned in the past two years as impetus for growth?

In this year's series we want to explore the skills that are critical to surviving and even thriving in times of complexity and change.

SESSION ONE sets the stage, developing an understanding of resilience - the processes and experiences that undergird resilience, the potential for growth in adversity that resilience offers, and the lessons learned from the experience of others.

Panelists:

Froma Walsh: Professor Emerita at the University of Chicago and Co-Founder & Co-Director, Chicago  Center for Family Health, Froma is the leading expert on family resilience with extensive experience working with a wide range of adverse challenges involving trauma and loss, disruptive life events, and multi-stress conditions.  She is a valued consultant nationally and internationally for resilience-oriented training and practice, has published widely and has received numerous honors and awards for her distinguished contributions to the mental health field. 

Cynthia Campbell: President Emerita of McCormick Theological Seminary, Cynthia was its longest serving president (1995-2011) and the first woman PC(USA) seminary president.  Following that, she served as lead pastor at Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY, retiring in 2020.  She is a highly respected pastor, teacher, author, and leader within the PC(USA), serving on numerous task forces and committees.  In 1988 Cynthia became the first woman lead pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Salina, prior to her move to McCormick. 

Alan Edelman: A Jewish educator with a long career in developing and expanding educational capacity for Jewish institutions and individuals, Alan is also known for his interest in interfaith and multi-cultural programming across the Kansas City area.  He is widely known as a teacher and guest theologian in churches, universities and seminaries.  He is active in the pursuit of peace between the Israelis and Palestinians and serves on many boards of directors for a wide array of non-profit and educational organizations. 

Click to see the pre-recorded presentation: roundedrecord

SESSION TWO will explore the role of storytelling in developing resilience, from personal narratives to the stories that have carried meaning and culture across time and geography.

Panelists:

Sarah Smarsh: As an award-winning author and journalist, Sarah explores socio-economic class, politics, and public policy in America.   She is from a fifth-generation Kansas farm family, growing up on farms in rural southeast Kansas.  She was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from the University of Kansas and Columbia University where she received her MFA in nonfiction writing.  Her first book, published in 2018, “Heartland – A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth,” was a finalist for the National Book Award.  She has written for publications that include The New York Times, and developed a podcast series, The Homecomers.          

Susan Page: Award-winning journalist and biographer, Susan is the Washington DC Bureau Chief for USA Today newspaper where she writes about politics and the White House.  She has interviewed the past ten presidents and reported from six continents and dozens of foreign countries.  In 2020, she moderated the vice-presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris.  Her biographical works include: “The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of an American Dynasty” and “Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power”.  Susan is a native of Wichita, Kansas. 

Fidencio Fifield-Perez: Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, Fidencio was raised in the US following his family’s migration when he was six years old. After a high school teacher told him “people like you don’t go to college,” he was accepted to seven colleges, eventually earning his BFA, MA and MFA.  As an undocumented citizen, every 18-24 months he has had to prove to the government that he exists through saved report cards, newspaper clippings and employee records.  His DACA status could be revoked at any time, sending him back to Mexico. He currently teaches painting and drawing at the University of Missouri at Columbia. 

Please email communications@fpcsalina.org for a link to see the pre-recorded presentation.

SESSION THREE will focus on the specific practices that create resilience, exploring scientific as well as creative approaches.

Panelists:

Chris Sexton:  An anxiety specialist and Research Assistant Professor at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Chris’ clinical and research interests have focused on implementing, adapting, and disseminating evidence-based treatments for children, parents and families.  She specializes in the treatment of a wide range of anxiety disorders, and has over 15 years of experience as a scientist-clinician.  Chris regularly gives presentations in professional organizations, schools and hospitals. Chris is a Salina native now living in Kansas City.   

Jon Earle: As host and producer of 75 podcast episodes of “Road to Resilience” for Mount Sinai Health System, Jon has a great deal to share about what he has learned about resilience. His award-winning independent work has appeared on several Spotify original podcasts and aired on NPR stations.  He has been a researcher and Russian translator for HBO and NBC Sports Group and a reporter in Moscow, Russia, where his work appeared in The Wall Street Journal and other publications. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. 

Melinda Jett: A graduate of Kansas Wesleyan, Melinda has been an active member of First Presbyterian, Salina and involved in numerous community organizations. When her children were in secondary schools, the pull of teaching became strong – and she excitedly returned to the classroom. Melinda has been an English teacher at Central High School for ten years, commenting that “these last two years have been especially tough for all educators, parents, and students. Honest relationships and relatable curriculum are even more important for an atmosphere of learning to occur.

Click to see the pre-recorded presentation: circlerecord

Summer Soul-stice 2021

Moving to Higher Ground: Practices for Healing