25th Annual Pittsburgh Pastoral Care Conference Agenda 2025

8 am   Continental Breakfast and Fellowship 
8:30 am  Opening Prayer and Welcome
The Rev. Joe Carr, St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church 
Welcome
Karen Plavan, Ph.D. Pittsburgh Pastoral Care Conference
The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler, Pittsburgh Pastoral Care Conference
8:45 am  Opening Remarks:  25 Years – Pastoral Care
Reid Carpenter, Retired CEO & Founder, Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation
 Remarks
The Rev. Liddy Barlow, Christian Associates of SW PA
9:15 am Keynote Address: Making the Impossible Possible
Bill Strickland, Founder, Manchester Craftsman Guild
10:30 am   Break – Visit Exhibit Tables
10:45 am  Session One (Choose One)
A1.  History of the 12 Step Programs and Recovery
Learn the basic ABC’s of the 12 Step program and how they emerged over time through the First Century Christian Fellowship, the Oxford Group and others who paved the way for a modern spiritual revolution.  Learn how to adapt the 12 Steps to help with churches and organizations.
The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler, Life Building Ministries
A2. Finding Relief from Trauma without Reliving It
Our struggles are often caused by programs in our subconscious mind.  Learn where talk is not enough and how computers and artificial intelligence can help find and clear possible blockages.  These techniques can help clients change their beliefs and release negative energy blockages without having to talk about or relive traumatic events.
Jim McAninch, M.Ed., Trauma Specialist, Advanced Recovery Coach
A3.  Trauma and the Church
Trauma will be defined –its physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impact. Dr. Powe will describe how untreated traumatic experiences affect our relationships with God and people. She will also identify Biblically aligned resources to foster healing from traumatic events.
Paula Powe, M.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh
A4. Reaching out to Teenagers with Compassion & Hope
Learn about how to reach out to teenagers with examples from two local churches. First is a unique church/civic collaboration in the Carrick neighborhood addressing poverty and food insecurity with inner city youth and the Pittsburgh Generation of Hope mentoring program. Secondly, learn about how people in Murrysville are working with teens to combat addiction and aid in their development to become what God is calling them to be in this world.
Moderator: Tom Grden, M.A., Ph.D., Life Resurrection Ministries
The Rev. Philip Stinelli, Head Pastor, Pittsburgh South Alliance Church
Mike Boyd, Pittsburgh South Alliance Church
Joseph Maxim, Author “Good Kids Gone Bad” Cornerstone Ministries
Dr. Olivia Matthews, Cornerstone Ministries
A5. Leading Churches and Organizations through Change and Crises
We’re living in disruptive times culturally and congregationally. These changes can be so rapid that it’s hard to know how to lead in ways that stabilize and offer paths forward. This workshop will explore personal, structural, and operational ways of calming stress, clarifying pathways, and shepherding people and churches forward. This practical and pragmatic workshop is based on experiences and processes that have been proven to be effective in leading churches and organizations through difficult times.
The Rev. Graham Standish, Ph.D., M.Div., MA, MSW, Executive  Director/Director, Samaritan – Counseling-Guidance–Consulting
12 Noon Lunch & Visit Exhibit Tables
12:45 pm Announcements & Dave Else Award 
1 pm Session Two (Choose One)

B1. Working with the Homeless
Learn about how Operation Safety Net helps the homeless and serves as a national model to help the homeless and about a local mission serving the homeless.
Dr. James S. Withers, MD, FACP, Pittsburgh Mercy Operation Safety Net
The Rev. Jerrel T. Gilliam, Executive Director, Light of Life Rescue Mission

B2. Developing Spiritually Integrated, Grief Informed Professionals
While grief is a universal part of the human experience, it is often overlooked and misunderstood.  Helping professionals should be well informed of how to appropriately address and handle the topic.  This session will examine different types of grief and grief reactions, including spiritual components.
Kristen A. Olson-Gaia, LCSW, JD, Counselor, Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry
Ashley Whitaker, LPC, Counselor, Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry

B3. End of Life Spiritual Care, Palliative and Hospice Care
Learn about the origins of Pastoral Care and about misunderstandings in today’s environment. Learn what feeds the spirit by focusing on patient centered spiritual care.  Learn how to reconcile one’s own theological commitments with patient centered care in end-of-life settings and to make Christ present through our presence.
Pastor Kimberly A. Rapczak, ThM., Spiritual Care Coordinator for Palliative and Supportive Care, Allegheny Health Network

B4.  Ministering to the Latino Community
The Latino population in Pittsburgh grew by 80% between 2010 and 2020. Learn more about this community’s spiritual life and pastoral care needs, and consider how your church or institution can reach out effectively to your Latino neighbors.
Jorge Vela, Director of the Hispanic Apostolate for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh

B5.  Cultivating Harmony:  Turning Conflict into Discernment in Church Committees
Amid challenges and opportunities, church committees often encounter disagreements within the room, and the threat of criticism outside the room.  Emotions rise-up, interpersonal dynamics take center stage, and explosive conflict can make the even best laid plans go awry.  Learn strategies to proactively shape a harmonious culture for committee meetings, where conflict can be harnessed for faithful discernment of God’s purposes.
The Rev. Erik Hoeke, Director of Continuing Education, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

B6.  Finding Inner Balance When Change Comes Fast
New challenges arise for clergy, mental health professionals, and others in the caring professions when major societal changes are occurring. Come brainstorm together how to meet the needs around us – and our own – when we’re working on shifting ground.
Rachel Kornfield Becker, LCSW, Nurtured Heart, LLC
2:15 pm Break – Visit Exhibit Tables
2:45 pm A Collective Bible Study – Miracle Stories

Stories of signs and wonders inspire us to “make the impossible possible.” Let’s open the Bible with three outstanding Christian leaders of Southwest Pennsylvania, as we seek to understand how miracles can reveal God’s power and glory, in the pages of Scripture and in our lives today.
Moderator:
The Rev. Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister, Christian Associates of SW PA
Bible Study Leaders:
The Rev. Jessica McClure Archer, General Minister, Pittsburgh Presbytery
TBA
TBA
3:45 pm Closing Prayer