Atlanta-based author and speaker, Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright writes to make a difference. She writes to develop the courage for transformation and change, in our communities, our institutions, and our lives. Her work strategically addresses the types of insidious challenges we face, either in our individual lives or in our communities- be they corporate, educational, religious or otherwise-that require identity shifts and increases in capacities and competencies to bring about sustainable and meaningful change. Wright is an advocate for authenticity in our communities, no matter what our context, by aligning our aspirational identities with our lived realities.

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The Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, the Rt. Rev. Douglas Scharf leads the diocese where he was raised, ordained, and consecrated. One of the youngest bishops in The Episcopal Church, Bishop Scharf believes that Christ's love and transformational teachings paired with the authentic connection of a Church community can replenish the wellspring of the soul.

The Rev. Jay Sidebotham is the Founder and Senior Consultant of RenewalWorks. He also serves as Associate Rector at St. James, Madison Avenue in New York. Sidebotham comes to this work out of his experience as rector of Church of the Holy Spirit in Lake Forest, IL, where he led the congregation through a period of sustained focus on spiritual growth and renewal. He has also served at St. James’ Parish, Wilmington, NC; St. Bart’s, New York City; St. Columba’s, Washington, DC; St. Luke’s, Durham, NC; and St. Martin’s, Providence, RI. He is well known for his cartoons about church life and his animation work on the television series Schoolhouse Rock!

Melissa and Ryan Flanigan live in Austin, TX with their three children, Lily (16), Liam (14), and Noelle (12). They are both on staff at Resurrection South Austin (EDOT) as parish administrator/neighborhood engagement coordinator (Melissa) and music director (Ryan). Ryan is also the theological artist-in-residence at Baylor University in Waco, TX. The Flanigan family have a music project called Liturgical Folk, which seeks to create beautiful and believable sacred music for church folk and the world. They have released eight albums of new liturgical music (hymns, settings, choruses) since 2017 and have toured extensively. Their music is accessible to all ages and faith stages and is rooted in the inherently joyful sounds of the American folk traditions. Melissa earned a BA with an emphasis in Worship Arts from Judson University in Elgin, IL, and Ryan earned a BAS from Dallas Baptist University, an MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a CTS from the University of Oxford. Listen to Liturgical Folk's music at https://www.liturgicalfolk.com/music