Schedule-Creative Compassion Conference - The Creative Compassion Conference

2026 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE OUTLINE

Note: While there is an abundance of unique instructional content in this conference, we also prioritize inspirational and experiential components:

Multiple ongoing interactive creative opportunities.
Available recordings of all sessions and workshops to avoid FOMO.
A dedicated Creative Encounter Room remains continuously available to decompress and process.
Special workshop tracks focus on interests, including the “Cultivating Compassion with Music and Worship” track presented by Vineyard Worship. (Attendees do not need to commit to a track, but may explore.)
A conference gallery.

Note: Meals are not provided EXCEPT the Sunday Lunch.

NOTE: Workshop and Main Session times and/or titles are subject to change, if necessary.

8:00 am – 9:30 am Morning Registration and Check-In (Coffee)
9:30 am – 11:00 am Main Session 1:

- - - - Vineyard Worship
        
        J. Scott McElroy–Conference Introduction and Vision: What Creative Compassion is and How it Can Work–Sponsored by How to CARE

11:00 am – 11:15 am Break–Creative Encounter Room opens
11:15 am – 12:30 pm Workshops

- - - - Arts Workshop–Linda Sylvester–How to Design Healing and Art Retreats for Your Congregation
        
        Movement Workshop–Jody Thomae–A Creative, Embodied Path to Healing and Communion with Christ

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch off campus
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Workshops

- - - - Worship Track–Vineyard Worship Presents—Anabeth Morgan–Creating Hospitable and Compassionate Worship Environments
        
        Arts Workshop–Pamela Alderman–A Healing in Art Interactive Presentation

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Break
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm Workshops

- - - - Worship Track–Vineyard Worship Presents–Anabeth Morgan–Collaborating with God and Each Other
        
        Arts Workshop–Lauren Daugherty–An Art Therapist discusses Materials and Techniques for Compassion Ministry with the Arts
        
        Architecture/Design–Steve Fridsma–Ministry Environments that Intentionally Convey Compassion

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Dinner off Campus
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Main Session 2:

8:00 am – 9:30 am Check-In for Single Day Attendees
9:30 am – 11:00 am Main Session 3:

- - - - Vineyard Worship
        
        Tina Colon Williams–Creative Compassion, Justice, and Worship

11:00 am – 11:15 am Break
11:15 am – 12:30 pm Workshops

- - - - Worship Track–Vineyard Worship Presents—Anabeth Morgan–Old, New, Borrowed, Blue: The Important Place of “Blue”–Lament– in Your Worship
        
        Architecture/Design–Steve Fridsma–Earthkeeping is Peacemaking: Creation Care and Church Buildings
        
        Movement–Jody Thomae–Compassion, Worship Dance, and Intercessory Dance

12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch off campus
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Workshops

- - - - Worship Track–Vineyard Worship Presents—Mark Nicholas–”Everyone Gets to Play:” Creative Writing and Songwriting for Everyone
        
        Care Ministry–Jess Hodge–Fresh Vision: Ideas for Creative Compassion in Outreach Ministry–Sponsored by Indianapolis District Church of the Nazarene
        
        Arts Workshop–Kyle Ragsdale–Creating Compassionate Spaces with Art in the Sanctuary (Liturgical Art)

3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Break
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm Workshops

Worship Track–Vineyard Worship Presents—Vineyard Worship Team–Experimenting with Modern Lament
Arts Workshop–Tori Bonar–Creative Compassion in Grief Care–Sponsored by Groff and Associates
Care Ministry–Joy Lee–Cultivating Hope in Hard Places: The Role of the Arts in Care and Humanitarian Aid Ministries

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Dinner off Campus
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Main Session 4:

- - - - Vineyard Worship
        
        Joanna Taft–Creative Compassion in Action: Loving Your Community Through the Arts

8:00 am – 9:30 am Breakfast off Campus
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Main Session 5:

- - - - A Special Creative Compassion Arts Sunday Service with Dr. Jamie Aten–Sponsored by Spiritual First Aid

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Complimentary Lunch on Campus
1:30pm – 3:00 pm Final Clinic/Workshop:

- - - - J. Scott McElroy–Practical Arts Exercises and Creative Compassion Practices to Take with You. Tools from CARE Arts
        Ministry and First Aid Arts–Sponsored by CARE Arts Ministry