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Adult Course Faculty
Cathy Graf (Moving meditative prayer: The Dances of Universal Peace)
Cathy Graf, an elder at Lakewood Presbyterian Church, Lakewood, Ohio learned about the Dances in 2001 and began leading them in 2006. She is a participant in the Abwoon Inter-spiritual Leadership Program led by Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz. This workshop will include dances from Dr. Douglas-Klotz’ work on the Aramaic words of Jesus.
Dave Mueller (Doing a New Thing: Professional Development for an Emerging Future)
Dave and his wife Patty and Sophie, their yellow lab live alternatively on 4 acres outside of Indianapolis, IN where they once raised a few goats, now deceased and 4 acres on Beaver Island, MI. When not cutting grass or cleaning the barn or fixing the boat, Dave is president and managing partner of KCDM Associates, Inc., a 27 year old organization development and career management consulting firm headquartered in Indianapolis. As an elder in the PCUSA, he has worked with Presbytery, Synod and GA executives, serves as an advisor to three Presbytery COMs, is on his presbytery's Sexual Misconduct Response Team, and works with individual churches and ministers to address issues of leadership, vocation and change. The intended end results of Dave's consulting are trust in the capacity of people to do good work, improve organizational effectiveness and enhanced individual work satisfaction.
Rev. Wendy Pratt (Bible Study on Revelation)
Wendy, the pastor of Salem Presbyterian Church in Venedocia, OH in Maumee Valley Presbytery. She's a graduate of Albion College and Louisville Seminary, and currently serves on an Administrative Commission in her Presbytery. Wendy is a veteran participant in Covenant Gathering, as well as in Synod Schools in both Lincoln Trails and Synod of the Covenant. With her daughter Lena, she enjoys camping and many kinds of music.
Ken Heischman (Hands-On Mission: Labyrinth Building)
Ken Heischman, his wife Heidi and family have attended Covenant Gathering and Synod
School for more than 15 years. He is an elder at New Covenant in Akron, OH. He
maintains an apartment complex, and according to friends, he can fix anything with duct
tape. He also plays guitar and is pleased to be working as faculty this year.
Marilyn Brookens (Christianity and the First Amendment)
Marilyn E. Brookens earned a B.A. in political science from Grinnell College. Iowa, a J.D. law degree from the University of Illinois and a Master of Law in Taxation from New York University Law School. She worked in the Tax Division, U.S. Department of Justice and since 1989 has been employed by the Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, in its national headquarters in Washington, D.C. A lifelong Presbyterian and an ordained elder, Marilyn is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Virginia (National Capital Presbytery).
John Sterner, Commissioned Lay Pastor (Seeking God Through the Ages)
John Sterner is commissioned lay pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Albion, and the Chairperson of the Transformation Committee of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan. He holds advanced degrees in psychology and education, and is the author of 4 books. John has a certificate in Spiritual Formation from Columbia Theological Seminary, and in addition to pastoring churches, John has been employed as a clinical psychologist, a salesperson and a consultant in quality systems. He is married to Peggy, and together they boast nine biological and adopted children, and thirteen grandchildren.
The Rev. Ted Jones (Hands-On Mission: Labyrinth Building)
Ted is an honorably retired minister in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve. He and Mary McGrath, his wife, form “Hollow Wick Soul Works,” ministry of healing, spiritual direction, and leadership retreats. They live in the “Old Brooklyn” neighborhood of Cleveland, OH.
Paul Nemecek (Four Generations Under One Roof)
Paul Nemecek is chair of the sociology department at Spring Arbor University. He has taught courses in the Sociology of Religion, American Religious Landscape, and the Christian in the Contemporary World. Prior to his career in academia, Mr. Nemecek worked as a pastor and social worker. In addition to his teaching on campus, he has led study tours to Jamaica, Guatemala, Costa Rica, England, Scotland, and the Czech Republic.
Nathan Martens (How God Uses People: Faith in Films)
Nathan Martens earned a BA from Valparaiso University and an MA from Kent State University. He worked in athletic publicity for six years. Since 1990 he has served in care giving roles as a registered nurse at Borgess Medical Center, Battle Creek Health System, St Mary's Health, and Oaklawn Hospital. Nate was ordained an elder at age 17 and currently serves as Clerk of Session at First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek. He has taught many adult study classes including several on films and faith. He has begun the journey toward eventually being a commissioned lay pastor. He serves on the steering/planning group for the Community of Caregivers and is the proud father of Nick and Betsey.
Children and Youth Faculty
Mario Bolivar
Mario Bolivar – originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, South America -- became a baptized member and made public confession of faith in the 7th Presbyterian Church of the Presbytery of the North Coast of Colombia, and is now Youth Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Troy, Ohio. Mario has a Bachelors degree in Law from the University Simon Bolivar of Colombia and is an M.Div student at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has worked with children, youth and adults in the Miami Valley Presbytery in Ohio, The Tres Rios Presbytery in Texas and the North Coast Presbytery of Colombia and as a counselor Kirkmont Center, Zanesfield, Ohio.
Derek Van Dyke
Derek Van Dyke has been a youth group and youth mission leader at Central
Presbyterian, Terre Haute, IN for more than two years and has participated in Youthfest
planning committee. He has a B.S. in Professional Aviation Flight Technology and
Aerospace Administration from Indiana State University and flies an Embraer 170, 70
seat jet, for Shuttle America, a Republic Airway Holding Company. He likes skiing,
running, biking, swimming (hoping to do a sprint triathlon this spring), aerobatics, and
cooking when he’s home. He and his wife Lauren have a puppy Obed.
Marie Mavis
Marie Mavis teaches kindergarten at Whitehall Prep and Fitness Academy in Columbus,
OH, and has worked with the youth group at Faith Covenant Church the past year. She
has a degree in early childhood education from Muskingum College. Marie has attended
Covenant Gathering and Synod School for almost 20 years and is excited to be working
youth this year and to see how God wants to work in us through the week.
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