Remind & Renew 2026
Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) seminary, a regular and significant supporter of KO Annual Meetings, and the alma mater of numerous KO clergy, thanks to their generous support of UCC seminarians. Every January, Phillips hosts Remind & Renew as an opportunity to bring clergy and alumni together to focus on a particular topic and worship together. This year’s Remind & Renew theme was “In Our Image: Reimagining Accessibility and Hospitality for All.”
Phillips invited Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund to serve as one of the event's keynote speakers. Rev. Dr. Lund serves as the Senior Minister for First Congregational United Church of Christ in Indianapolis and the Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice for the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ. She is also the author of numerous books, including her recent release, Blessed Minds, from Chalice Press, which addresses neurodiversity. Rev. Dr. Lund shared from her experience and led the attendees in a conversation about neurodiversity in the church.
Robert Jaeger from Partners for Sacred Places discussed church spaces from both historical and community partner perspectives. Jaeger shared information about grant funds and consulting services available to support churches and their building needs. Please check out their website for more information - the grant application period is during the first two months of each year.
Rev. Dr. Annie Lockhart-Gilroy, Associate Professor of Christian Education and Practical Theology at Phillips, provided an overview of her research and findings about how children, youth, and young adults with physical disabilities experience belonging, or lack thereof, in church and faith communities. Her research is still underway, so if you know a young person with a disability who would be interested in sharing their experience as part of her research, please contact Dr. Lockhart-Gilroy.
Rev. Kayla Bonewell, Pastor for Church of the Open Arms and Cathedral of Hope joins Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie for a snapshot at Phillips. Rev. Dr. McCallie founded Church of the Open Arms in 1997 and served there until 2013.
Artist Sally Garner shows Julia Gaughan how to use the communal loom for the Phillips community art project.
Rev. Jennie Wachowski-Estes is the Director of Spiritual Life and Chaplain at Phillips and Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie is an Associate Professor of Ministerial Leadership and Ethics and the Director of Formation for UCC Students at Phillips.
Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund served as one of the Keynote Speaker for Remind & Renew. Rev. Dr. Lund serves as the Senior Minister for First Congregational United Church of Christ in Indianapolis and the Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice for the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ.
Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Lorraine Ceniceros and Phillips Professor Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie bookend a group of Phillips Alum: Rev. Dee Moore, Pastor at Carbondale Community UCC; Julia Gaughan, ACM and Pastor at Peace UCC; and Rev. Sheridan Irick, Associate Pastor at Mayflower Congregational UCC.