Meghan Good - Speaker
Meghan Good is the lead pastor of Albany Mennonite Church in Albany, Oregon. She received her B.A. in philosophy and biblical studies from Gordon College in Wenham, MA and her M.Div. from Duke University Divinity School in Durham, NC. An addicted reader with a passion for preaching, she believes in the power of a well-told story to transform hearts and lives.
Learn about Albany Mennonite Church.
Into the Wilderness: The Journey of God's Beloved
The tale of the marriage between the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer is as shocking today as it was 2700 years ago. Its portrayal of passion and heartache, misplaced longings and relentless hope makes the book of Hosea seem an odd inclusion in the canon at best. Is it a scandal? Is it a fairytale?
Or...is it something else completely—a bold invitation to rediscover the inconceivable depth of God’s love and devotion to us? Come explore our journey as beloved daughters of God with pastor and keynote speaker, Meghan Good.
Music & Worship - Laurelville retreat
Tara Davis is a freelance violinist, pianist and recording artist who has performed in various chamber ensembles, orchestras and as a soloist around the world for the past 20 years. From Ontario, Canada, Tara has recently immigrated to the United States, settling in Virginia where she is currently teaching instrumental music at Eastern Mennonite University in the Music Preparatory Program.
Janet Hostetter enjoys making music in the name of Jesus, her Lord and Savior. Over the last twenty-four years, she has had the privilege of making music in a variety of classroom settings with students as young as four and as old as college students. On weekends, she often involves herself in helping with the music offerings at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church (HMC). For eight years, Janet enjoyed directing the HMC church choir and served as part-time music director during that same time. Currently, Janet teaches choir and Orff (marimba band) to 6th, 7th and 8th graders at Wilbur S. Pence Middle School in Dayton, Virginia. When she is not teaching, Janet thoroughly enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband, Eric and their three terrific kids, Brook, Benson and Jaden.
Ardith Kauffman considers music as one of God’s most creative and awe-inspiring gifts. She is grateful for numerous musical opportunities over the years and how they have enriched her life. “God has a way of using music to speak His comfort, encouragement, and love to some of the most vulnerable and protected areas of our being.” Ardith lives in Harrisonburg with her husband James. Their two children, Emily and Stephen, attend Eastern Mennonite High School. She is employed at Eastern Mennonite Elementary School where she enjoys the heart-warming interaction with K-5th graders. Her family attends Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. She enjoys gardening and time spent outdoors with her family.
Carmen Miller is grateful for camp and retreat centers which provided a place for her to follow Jesus, experience community and find joy in God’s creation. She worked in camp programming for 7 years at Amigo Centre in Sturgis, MI with her husband, Chad. Carmen leads worship regularly at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church and connects with the senior high youth. She spends much of her time teaching and learning with her children, Ginny (10) and Clint (8) at home, reads when she gets a chance, and works at Ten Thousand Villages.
Cindy Phillips is a wife and mother of two young adult daughters. She has worked alongside her husband Doug, the director of Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center, leading worship for retreats and summer camp for thirty years. She works fulltime as an elementary school guidance counselor, and regularly leads worship at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church in the Praise Fellowship Service.
Music & Worship - Hesston retreat
Tonya Keim Bartel is a former Jr. High English teacher who is now a stay-at-home mom to Evelyn, River, and Sage. She is also on staff at Mennonite Church in Hesston, Kansas as Worship Coordinator. Tonya has served in various roles at the denominational level, including as a member of three worship planning committees for the Mennonite Church USA conventions. She enjoys cooking, conversation, anything in the water, politics, great coffee, camping, blogging, reading Anne Lamott and finding creative ways to live simply.
Melissa Landis and her husband, Isaac, moved to Hesston last January, returning to the place where they met as college freshmen. Melissa enjoys being at home with their two sons, Owen and Max, as well as playing piano and reading when she gets a chance. They attend Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston, where Isaac serves as Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults.
Lisa K. Yoder is a member of Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston. Lisa regularly serves as worship leader within the Praise Team and enjoys sharing and serving in a variety of ways throughout the Whitestone community. She is married to Jeff Yoder and they have two children, Cora and Isaac.