Workshop Descriptions
(Subject to change)

In Alphabetical Order

Affinity Group: Dioceses
Block C: Affinity Groups, 4/15, 4-5:15 PM
Presenter Chris Tumilty

Communicating at the diocesan level presents unique challenges and opportunities. This session offers a dedicated space for diocesan communicators to connect, share strategies, and support one another in telling good news across wide geographies and diverse congregations. Whether you’re managing internal workflows, launching diocesan-wide campaigns, or navigating communications with clergy and lay leaders, this is your chance to learn from peers who understand the scope of your work.

Chris Tumilty serves as Director of Communications for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, where they lead diocesan storytelling, digital strategy, media relations, and creative initiatives, including Courageous Love, Faith to Go, and congregational communications support. Chris began full-time diocesan work in 2007 with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and joined the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in 2020. With more than 18 years of experience, Chris helps churches share authentic stories, engage their communities, and communicate God ’s work with clarity and purpose. His work centers on equipping congregations to tell meaningful stories that build connection, discipleship, and trust. Chris is passionate about creative ministry that invites people to notice where God is already at work.

Affinity Group: Freelancers
Block C: Affinity Groups, 4/15, 4-5:15 PM
Presenter: Carrie Graves

Freelance communicators wear many hats: designer, writer, strategist, and client manager. This session offers a dedicated space for freelance professionals to connect, share insights, and support one another as they navigate the joys and challenges of solo work. Whether you're juggling multiple clients, building your brand, or seeking new tools for workflow and project management, this gathering is a chance to learn from peers who understand the freelance landscape and the unique role you play in church communications.

Affinity Group: Large Parishes
Block C: Affinity Groups, 4/15, 4-5:15 PM
Presenter: Rev. Cn Richard Hogue

Large parishes often function as complex organizations with layered communication needs and a growing demand for strategy. In this workshop, communicators from large parishes and cathedrals will gather to share tools, explore scalable systems, and exchange creative approaches to campaigns, branding, and storytelling. It’s a chance to connect deeply with others navigating the same scale of ministry and discover solutions that fit your context.

Affinity Group: Small Parishes
Block C: Affinity Groups, 4/15, 4-5:15 PM
Presenter: Sonja Slother

Communicators in small parishes often wear multiple hats — sometimes all of them! This workshop is designed for those balancing limited time, budget, and capacity while still producing meaningful, effective communications. Join fellow small parish communicators to share practical ideas, discover tools that save time, and be reminded that small parishes can do mighty things with clear vision and good storytelling.

Affinity Group: Organizations
Block C: Affinity Groups, 4/15, 4-5:15 PM
Presenter: Marie Simpson and Zayda Sarinana

If you work in communications for an Episcopal-affiliated organization, whether educational, social justice-focused, ministry-based, or something else entirely, this space is for you. This workshop creates time for cross-sector dialogue, resource-sharing, and creative brainstorming with others navigating how to speak clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences. We ’ll explore how your communications help amplify mission, align with values, and inspire action across the wider Church and beyond.

AI in Action: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
Track: Building Good Systems, Block D: Strategy and Impact, 4/16, 10:30-11:45 AM
Panelists: Lorenzo Nericcio, John MacAteer, The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija
Moderator: Canon Jason Evans

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how communicators work, and with that shift comes a responsibility to ask harder questions. This panel discussion brings together voices with experience at the intersection of technology, ministry, and ethics to explore what it means to use AI faithfully and responsibly in church communications. Panelists Lorenzo Nericcio and John MacAteer will engage questions around transparency, authenticity, theological integrity, and the human dimensions of AI-generated content. This session supports the Strategy and Impact block by helping communicators think critically about the tools they use and the values those choices reflect. It aligns with the Building Good Systems track by grounding sustainable, tech-savvy ministry practice in an ethical foundation.

Dr. John MacAteer is a philosopher and theologian who earned his PhD in from the University of California, Riverside, where he specialized in moral theory and aesthetics. He has taught interdisciplinary philosophy, religion, film, and humanities courses online and on university campuses throughout Southern California, including at Point Loma Nazarene University, where he serves as Instructional Designer. Dr. MacAteer has written extensively about the philosophy of film in work ranging from academic journals to general audience print magazines to blogs and podcasts. His current project is The Cinema of Resistance, a series of public film screenings co-sponsored by Resurrection Episcopal Church and the Ocean Beach Cinema Circle, a neighborhood film club which he co-founded.

Bridging the Gap: Working with Clergy and Leadership
Track: Deepening Good Work, Block D: Strategy and Impact, 4/16, 10:30-11:45 AM
Presenters: The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook and Chris Tumility

Strong communication begins with strong collaboration. This workshop offers strategies for building trust and aligning messaging between communicators and leadership teams. Learn tools for setting shared goals, leading effective meetings, and advocating for the communications role in your ministry.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook is the fifth bishop and the first woman to serve as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, consecrated in 2019. Under her leadership, the diocese launched the Courageous Love strategic plan, planted new congregations, expanded campus ministries, and advanced affordable housing through the Mission Real Estate initiative. A former certified public accountant, she earned her M.Div. from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and her D.Min. from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. Previously Canon for Church Growth in Oklahoma and founding vicar of Nativity, Scottsdale, Bishop Susan ’s ministry centers on evangelism, discipleship, and courageous love in action.

Chris Tumilty serves as Director of Communications for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, where they lead diocesan storytelling, digital strategy, media relations, and creative initiatives, including Courageous Love, Faith to Go, and congregational communications support. Chris began full-time diocesan work in 2007 with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and joined the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in 2020. With more than 18 years of experience, Chris helps churches share authentic stories, engage their communities, and communicate God ’s work with clarity and purpose. His work centers on equipping congregations to tell meaningful stories that build connection, discipleship, and trust. Chris is passionate about creative ministry that invites people to notice where God is already at work.

Collaborating for Formation: Working with Christian Ed Teams
Track: Deepening Good Work, Block E: Reflection and Renewal, 4/16, 1:15-2:30 PM
Presenters: Charlette Preslar

Communications and formation ministries are natural partners and when they work well together, the impact multiplies. This workshop equips you with strategies for collaborating with Christian education leaders to co-create meaningful, spiritually enriching content for all ages. You ’ll learn how to shape messaging around curriculum, seasonal themes, and spiritual practices, and explore tools for planning, sharing, and measuring impact. As part of the Reflection and Renewal block, this workshop supports the conference theme of Good Works by helping communicators become co-creators of spiritual growth, not just promoters of programs. It aligns with the Deepening Good Work track by integrating faith formation and storytelling as core parts of the communicator ’s vocation.

Communicating Across Languages and Cultures
Track: Deepening Good Work, Block A: Foundations and Vision, 4/15, 10:30 - 11:45 AM
Presenter: John Fenastil

Effective communication begins with listening that includes listening across difference. In this workshop, you ’ll explore practical tools for multilingual communications, culturally responsive messaging, and inclusive design practices that reflect the full diversity of your community. Learn how to assess your current materials, build cross-cultural partnerships, and communicate with authenticity and humility. Rooted in the Foundations and Vision block, this session connects to the conference theme of Good Works by centering equity and belonging as core components of Gospel-centered communication. It fits within the Deepening Good Work track by encouraging thoughtful, faithful engagement across cultural and linguistic lines.

John Fanestil is Executive Director of Friends of International Friendship Park, a nonprofit working to establish an international park at the western end of the U.S.–Mexico border. A San Diego native and Elder in the United Methodist Church, he has spent decades organizing communities along and across the border and helped found The Border Church in 2011, a weekly celebration of cross-border communion that continues today. John is a graduate of Dartmouth College, Oxford University (as a Rhodes Scholar), Claremont School of Theology, and the University of Southern California, where he earned his Ph.D. in History. He is also a writer whose books include Mrs. Hunter ’s Happy Death, One Life to Give, and American Heresy, blending history, religion, memoir, and social commentary.

Creating Media for Formation
Track: Telling Good News, Block B: Content in Action, 4/15, 2:30-3:45 PM
Presenter: Charlette Preslar

Media for formation can extend your ministry beyond Sunday and into the daily lives of your community. In this hands-on workshop, you ’ll learn to create short-form spiritual content, like video reflections, podcasts, and seasonal guides that fosters connection and formation. We ’ll explore tools for planning, producing, and distributing media that is both theologically grounded and creatively engaging. As part of the Content in Action block, this workshop brings the conference theme of Good Works to life by equipping you to tell the Good News in formats that nurture faith throughout the week. This workshop supports the Telling Good News track by helping you shape content that is spiritually rich, accessible, and inspiring.

Charlette Preslar is the Director of Formation for The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and the cohost of the Faith to Go podcast. Her responsibilities include faith formation for all ages, lay licensing, congregational development, and Safe Church/Safe Communities. She delights in supporting the Episcopal schools in our diocese and our wonderful diocesan camp, Camp Stevens. A lifelong collaborator, Charlette would love to hear about where God is active in your life and talk about where God might be calling you and your community of faith. When she isn ’t working, Charlette loves the outdoors and is happiest with her feet on a trail or her hands in the dirt of her garden.

Creative Risk-Taking in Church Communications
Track: Building Good Brands and Launching Good Campaigns, Block E: Reflection and Renewal, 4/16, 1:15-2:30 PM
Presenter: Mary Grace Donohoe

What if your community is hungry for your church’s public witness? This workshop challenges you to press your environment beyond “we’ve always done it this way” passive thinking and the “safe” status quo to explore the strategic and faithful art of risk-taking. Using real examples from The Episcopal Church, we will move through a framework for discerning when to speak, what to say, and where to say it. You’ll learn how to discern when and what your bishop/rector/faith leader is uniquely positioned to say, how to build the necessary leadership buy-in for courageous communications, and how to prepare when a message resonates. Stay grounded in the Gospel while navigating the complexities of public witness for today.

Mary Grace Donohoe (or MG) is an strategic communications expert with over nine years of experience managing traditional and digital communications for faith-inspired nonprofits. As the Communications Manager for Strategy, Positioning, and Partnerships, she leverages her experience to ensure communications is more than a series of tools and tasks, but rather essential to EDS's mission and vision for a more just world. Central to her work is elevating voices excluded and undervalued by the church and reaching emerging audiences with EDS's cutting edge theological education offerings.

MG oversees program publicity, public relations, social media, and the brand and voice of EDS and its leadership, and collaborates closely with her colleague in communications, Dustin Jesudason. Mary Grace previously served as Communications Manager for the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island and for Religions for Peace International, a representative multi-religious organization with a presence in nearly 100 countries. She previously consulted with Red Letter Christians, a national movement at the intersection of Jesus and justice. She holds a B.A. in Political Science/International Relations and Religious Studies from Stonehill College.

Discovering Your Brand Identity
Track: Building Good Brands, Block A: Foundations and Vision, 4/15, 10:30 - 11:45 AM
Presenter: Adrienne Wilkerson

Your brand is more than a logo, it ’s the story you tell every time someone walks through your doors or sees your communications. In this workshop, you ’ll explore the foundational elements of brand identity for churches, dioceses, and organizations, including voice, visuals, values, and audience perception. You ’ll leave with practical tools to begin shaping a consistent and compelling brand that reflects your ministry ’s mission and context. As part of the Foundations and Vision block, this session helps you lay the groundwork for Good Works by making sure your communications reflect who you truly are. This workshop is a keystone for the Building Good Brands track by guiding you through the first steps of creating a brand that ’s authentic, strategic, and sustainable.

Adrienne Wilkerson is the Director of Communications & Advocacy for Episcopal Community Services, where she leads strategic storytelling, media relations, and advocacy efforts that advance the organization ’s mission across the region. In her role, she works to elevate ECS ’s impact in areas such as behavioral health, homelessness, early childhood education, and community support, partnering with local leaders and policymakers to strengthen vital services. Adrienne ’s leadership and commitment to mission-driven communications were recognized in 2026 when she was named one of the San Diego Business Journal ’s Leaders of Influence in Advertising, PR & Marketing. She holds an MBA and brings deep experience in strategic communication, community engagement, and advocacy to her work supporting vulnerable populations in San Diego.

Faith-Based Content for a Digital World
Track: Deepening Good Work, Block B: Content in Action, 4/15, 2:30-3:45 PM
Presenter: The Rev. Timothy Yanni

How do we create digital content that is both spiritually grounded and genuinely engaging? This workshop explores how to translate faith-filled messages into digital formats that resonate on screens without losing depth or meaning. You ’ll learn tools for adapting theological ideas for social media, crafting posts that form rather than just inform, and measuring spiritual engagement in online spaces. As part of the Content in Action block, this session lives out the Good Works theme by equipping you to connect timeless truths with modern audiences. Anchored in the Deepening Good Work track, it helps communicators create content that not only spreads information but also nurtures faith.

Finding the Gospel in Your Ministry’s Story
Track: Telling Good News and Launching Good Campaigns, Block A: Foundations and Vision, 4/15, 10:30 - 11:45 AM
Presenter: The Rev. Taylor Devine

Every church, diocese, and organization has a story, but not every story is told with Good News at its heart. This workshop helps you uncover the deeper spiritual narratives within your ministry ’s work and translate them into compelling, audience-centered messaging. Through practical exercises in storytelling, reframing, and message development, you ’ll learn how to communicate your mission in ways that are both authentically Episcopal and deeply resonant. As part of the Foundations and Vision block, this session ties directly to the Good Works theme by helping you see and share the sacred within your everyday ministry. Aligned with the Telling Good News and Launching Good Campaigns tracks, this workshop bridges inspiration and strategy to bring the Gospel to life through communications.

From Chaos to Calendar: Content Planning for Real Life
Track: Building Good Systems, Block B: Content in Action, 4/15, 2:30-3:45 PM
Presenter: Adrienne Wilkerson

Is your communications work always in reactive mode? Is it time for new solutions? This workshop introduces practical, flexible strategies for creating realistic editorial calendars that reflect your ministry ’s actual rhythm. You ’ll explore tools like batching, seasonal planning, content repurposing, and collaboration workflows that are all designed for busy communicators with limited bandwidth. As part of the Content in Action block, this session brings structure to your creativity and aligns with the Good Works theme by helping you steward your time and message effectively. Rooted in the Building Good Systems track, it equips you to work smarter, not harder, without sacrificing impact or consistency.

Adrienne Wilkerson is the Director of Communications & Advocacy for Episcopal Community Services, where she leads strategic storytelling, media relations, and advocacy efforts that advance the organization ’s mission across the region. In her role, she works to elevate ECS ’s impact in areas such as behavioral health, homelessness, early childhood education, and community support, partnering with local leaders and policymakers to strengthen vital services. Adrienne ’s leadership and commitment to mission-driven communications were recognized in 2026 when she was named one of the San Diego Business Journal ’s Leaders of Influence in Advertising, PR & Marketing. She holds an MBA and brings deep experience in strategic communication, community engagement, and advocacy to her work supporting vulnerable populations in San Diego.

From Plan to Pews: Real Church Campaigns That Work
Track: Launching Good Campaigns, Block D: Strategy and Impact, 4/16, 10:30-11:45 AM
Presenters: Sarah Bartenstein & Chris Whitaker

What makes a campaign move beyond great ideas into real results? In this hands-on workshop, you ’ll explore actual church-based campaigns and dissect what made them succeed. Learn how to set goals, build timelines, mobilize teams, and measure outcomes, with templates and tools you can immediately adapt for your context. Part of the Strategy and Impact block, this session supports the Good Works theme by helping your communications create meaningful, measurable change. Ideal for those in the Launching Good Campaigns track, this workshop bridges creativity and execution with real-world case studies and replicable systems.

Gratitude as Strategy: Celebrating Your Community
Track: Telling Good News, Block E: Reflection and Renewal, 4/16, 1:15-2:30 PM
Presenters: Dustin Jesudason & Ashley Eastham

What if celebration was your most powerful communications tool? In this workshop, you ’ll learn how to build campaigns, content, and storytelling rhythms that center gratitude, highlighting milestones, honoring volunteers, and showcasing your community ’s gifts. You ’ll explore practical frameworks for integrating appreciation into newsletters, social media, and liturgical seasons. As part of the Reflection and Renewal block, this workshop connects to the Good Works theme by uplifting the stories of grace already at work in your context. Ideal for those in the Telling Good News track, it equips you to foster connection and joy through intentional, strategic celebration.

Read The Room: Clocking your Context Before the Crisis Hits
Track: Building Good Systems, Block E: Reflection and Renewal, 4/16, 1:15-2:30 PM
Presenter: Amanda Skofstad

We often talk about how to handle communications when a crisis is upon us, but what can we do TODAY to be better prepared for fiascos? In this workshop, we will look at information already available in your environment—including expertise, contacts, access, and policy—and how to strategically assemble it now.  We will also workshop example crises to see how these resources can bolster your response. 

Sacred Space, Sacred Story: Using Place to Shape Messaging
Track: Telling Good News and Building Good Brands, Block D: Strategy and Impact, 4/16, 10:30-11:45 AM
Presenter: Lori Blewett & Jason Green

The physical spaces of your ministry and the environment they exist in tell a story whether you ’ve shaped it intentionally or not. In this workshop, you ’ll learn how to draw from architecture, location, history, and even landscape to craft messaging that reflects your ministry ’s identity and mission. We ’ll explore tools like site-based storytelling, guided visuals, and environment-informed branding to help deepen the connection between your message and the sacred space it inhabits. Rooted in the Strategy and Impact block and the Good Works theme, this workshop supports the Telling Good News and Building Good Brands tracks, offering practical and creative takeaways for communicators working in a variety of settings.

Sustainable Workflows for Busy Communicators
Track: Building Good Systems, Block A: Foundations and Vision, 4/15, 10:30 - 11:45 AM
Presenter: Lori Blewett and Summerlee Walter

Juggling emails, social posts, bulletins, websites, and surprise requests? This workshop is designed for church communicators who need real-world strategies to stay sane and effective. You ’ll learn how to streamline content creation, set boundaries, automate repetitive tasks, and build editorial systems that flex with your ministry calendar, not against it. Grounded in the Foundations and Vision block and aligned with the Building Good Systems track, this session emphasizes practical tools that help you do more with less while rooting your work in sustainability. Whether you serve a parish, diocese, or organization, you ’ll leave with a workflow that supports both your calling and your well-being.

Visual Storytelling: Photography, Video, and Design
Track: Building Good Brands and Launching Good Campaigns, Block B: Content in Action, 4/15, 2:30-3:45 PM
Presenter: Chris Tumilty

In a world where people scroll before they read, visuals are often your ministry ’s first impression. This workshop will equip you with practical techniques for capturing compelling photos, producing engaging video, and designing graphics that reinforce your message across platforms. Rooted in the Content in Action block and aligned with both the Building Good Brands and Launching Good Campaigns tracks, this session will help you develop visual content that is not only beautiful but strategic. Whether you ’re creating a social campaign, a thematic series, or a full rebrand, you ’ll leave with actionable tools to elevate the way your ministry tells its story.

Chris Tumilty serves as Director of Communications for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, where they lead diocesan storytelling, digital strategy, media relations, and creative initiatives, including Courageous Love, Faith to Go, and congregational communications support. Chris began full-time diocesan work in 2007 with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and joined the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in 2020. With more than 18 years of experience, Chris helps churches share authentic stories, engage their communities, and communicate God ’s work with clarity and purpose. His work centers on equipping congregations to tell meaningful stories that build connection, discipleship, and trust. Chris is passionate about creative ministry that invites people to notice where God is already at work.