Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference to feature outstanding lineup of preachers

Pastors Andrew Kukla and Melissa O’Keefe Reed will open and close Sept. 23-25 event in Portland, Oregon

by Emily Enders Odom, Mission Communications | Special to Presbyterian News Service

The Rev. Dr. Andrew Kukla

LOUISVILLE — A prominent preacher and social justice activist, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Kukla, is scheduled to lead worship on the opening evening of the Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference, when the popular event convenes on Monday, Sept. 23.

Held this year from Sept. 23-25, the annual conference for all who are passionate about stewardship and generosity will be offered in person in Portland, Oregon, with an alternate, online attendance option being offered for those who prefer to participate virtually.

Drawing leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and other ecumenical partners, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to ignite generosity in faith-based communities, give practical tools for cultivating generosity in congregations, expand the leadership capacity of those who lead stewardship initiatives, and cultivate adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission.

Kukla, who has served for the last 12 years as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho, believes in the central calling of stewardship in all aspects of life and incarnates that journey by extending his call beyond the walls of the church.

Active in advocacy at the Idaho State Capitol, Kukla serves on multiple community boards, particularly in housing neighbors experiencing homelessness, as he pursues the call to seek the welfare of the city in which he lives.

The Rev. Melissa O’Keefe Reed

Representing the Lutheran tradition, the Rev. Melissa O’Keefe Reed, a Lutheran pastor and community organizer, will preach the conference’s closing worship on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Reed currently serves as the Bishop’s Associate for Vital Leadership and Sacramental Organizing of the Oregon Synod (ELCA), which includes her work as co-organizer of the Leaven Community Land and Housing Coalition.

Featured keynote speakers this year include:

• Grace Pomroy, Director of the Stewardship Leaders Program, Luther Seminary
• The Rev. Amos Disasa, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, Texas
• The Rev. Dr. Eric Barreto, Weyerhaeuser Associate Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary.

The unofficial theme of this year’s conference is “Unconventional Stewardship,” playing on the host city’s unofficial slogan, “Keep Portland Weird.” The conference will open with a plenary panel touching upon this theme, and other speakers and workshop leaders will offer non-traditional views, practices and tools for stewardship.

Registration is now underway, with a discounted rate available to seminarians and first-call pastors. The deadline to register for in-person attendance is Sept. 6.

In-person attendees will be invited to choose from among 40 workshops and enjoy unique opportunities to connect with participants from across the country. Virtual attendance includes all four plenaries, both worship services and eight selected workshops.

All PC(USA) ministers are also eligible to apply for a grant through the Presbyterian Foundation to cover half of all costs to attend the conference in person, including travel and hotel. For pastors who attend with members of their congregation, this grant is also available toward half the conference costs for those lay leaders. For more information about this grant, prospective attendees are invited to email the Presbyterian Foundation Ministry Relations Officer located in their region.

For more information or to register, click here.