Worship Amid Social Turmoil

Saturday, October 3, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Anderson University Center, Pacific Lutheran University

In an unprecedented time of economic, political, and social turmoil, how might worship around book, font, and table lead our congregations to live out their baptismal promises to serve Christ in others, respect the dignity of every human being, seek justice and peace, and care for God’s creation?

Join colleagues and friends in the region who recognize the intimate relationship between liturgy and mission, sacrament and service in daily life as we explore practical ways in which our common prayer informs our common vocation as public witnesses of hope.

The conference will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in the Anderson University Center at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. We eagerly look forward to an enlightening plenary presentation, eye-opening workshops, and lively conversation with a group of ministers who sponsor public engagement.

Participants need to register online and pay the fee of $30 which includes morning coffee with PLU’s world-famous scones, a lunch buffet of vegetarian salads, and all conference materials. Registration closes on Monday, September 21.

This conference is sponsored by PLU’s Wild Hope Center for Vocation, Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission, the Bishop’s Commission on Liturgy and the Arts of the Diocese of Olympia, and the Southwestern Washington Synod of the ELCA.

Gordon Lathrop, an ELCA pastor and professor emeritus of liturgy, is the author of Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology, Holy Ground: A Liturgical Cosmology, The Assembly: A Spirituality, and many other published works. A former university pastor at PLU, Dr. Lathrop has taught more recently at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Tim Drewes is Director of Music at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Seattle. A PLU graduate in piano and organ performance, he holds the Master of Music in organ performance from the New England Conservatory of Music.

Rebecca Hughes, associate professor emeritus of history at Seattle Pacific University and a parish minister of ceremony, serves as the co-leader of the Community Action Working Group at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Seattle.

Rick Jaech is Bishop Emeritus of the Southwestern Washington Synod of the ELCA, an expert in conflict mediation, and now an interim parish pastor. He is the author of Transforming Parish Conflict: A Guide for Pastors and Leaders.

Barbara Rossing, Professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, is a public theologian, gifted teacher, and avid environmentalist. Among her various publications, she is the author of The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation.

Shari Shull, organist and minister of music at Agnus Dei Lutheran Church in Gig Harbor until 2025, has served congregations in the ELCA as a deacon for over 20 years. She holds degrees from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

Paul Tegels is the Director of Music at Christ Episcopal Church in Tacoma. He taught organ, music history, and ear training at Pacific Lutheran University and served as university organist for 21 years until his retirement in 2023.

Samuel Torvend serves as a director in PLU’s Wild Hope Center and as president of Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission. He is the author of Still Hungry at the Feast: Eucharistic Justice amid Affliction and the forthcoming Unclaimed Treasure: Living the Baptismal Promises in a Secular World.