6:30 p.m. Doors open, dessert reception at Geneva Campus Church
7:00 p.m. Concert with Ruth Naomi Floyd

8:30 a.m. Coffee, pastries, and conversation at Upper House
9:00 a.m. Welcome
9:20 a.m. Plenary Session with Tim and Sherrie Lowly
10:10 a.m. Break
10:20 a.m. Breakout Sessions
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:55 p.m. Closing session: Music in the Round with Ruth Naomi Floyd
1:30 p.m. Conference Close

Conference attendees can choose either two 40-minute sessions or one 90-minute session for the breakout portion of our day.

Ruth Naomi Floyd is a vocalist, composer, and educator recognized for pioneering vocal jazz that expresses theology, history, and justice, and for leading a multifaceted ensemble that primarily performs original works. Her collaborations with notable instrumentalists stand as a testament to her versatility and the high regard in which she is held by her peers. Ruth’s discography has garnered international recognition, and her commissioned works have earned numerous awards, fellowships, and honors. She lectures and performs globally on topics connecting theology, history, justice, culture, and the arts. A committed music educator (kindergarten through university) with over twenty-five years of experience, Ruth is the first African American woman to serve as the founding director of a university jazz studies program in the U.S. She serves as an artist-in-residence at Temple University and has held art and music residencies as well as visiting scholar positions nationally and internationally. Concordia College awarded her an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to the arts, education, and justice. Ruth has dedicated over thirty years to serving and supporting marginalized communities, and her career reflects a deep commitment to artistic excellence, justice, and community empowerment.

Tim Lowly was born in Hendersonville, North Carolina in 1958.  The son of medical missionaries, he spent most of his youth in South Korea.  He attended Calvin College and received a BFA degree in 1981.  In 1981 he married Sherrie Rubingh.  Tim was affiliated with North Park University in Chicago as gallery director, instructor, and artist-in-residence from 1994-2023.  Currently he is focused full time on art making and resides in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

See Tim's work at timothylowly.com.

Rev. Sherrie Lowly is an ordained clergy person in the United Methodist Church with a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University, Chicago and a Master’s of Divinity from Garrett-Evengelical Theological Seminary. After working some years as a family therapist, Lowly ministered in various rural, urban, and suburban churches in northern Illinois for 25 years. She is passionate about faith and social justice. Now retired, Lowly lives in the Chicago area with husband, Tim Lowly, their adult daughter who lives with profound disabilities, and their daughter’s caregiver. Lowly is a writer of memoir and creative non-fiction focusing on the discovery of the mystery of God in those on the margins of church and society.

Learn more about Sherrie at slowlysite.com.

Peter Spychalla is a spiritual director and spiritual-formation educator, serving as Associate Professor of New Testament and Spiritual Formation at Urbana Theological Seminary, where he has taught part-time since 2004. He earned a PhD in Biblical Theology: New Testament from Wheaton College, a DMin in Spiritual Formation from Lincoln Christian Seminary, and six master’s degrees across disciplines of philosophy, theology, spiritual formation, data analytics, and business. He retires April 1 from a 35-year career as a software engineer. He is a life-long student of human flourishing. Peter and his wife live on a 35-acre homestead in the Driftless Area west of Madison, where he uses creativity in property restoration, craft projects, stained glass, and creating art using natural materials.

Leslie Iwai creates conceptual sculptures and installations that invite wonder through complex designs informed by her studies in mathematics, chemistry (BA, Wayne State College), and architecture (MArch, Virginia Tech). The first recipient of the Bemis Community Arts Fellowship and recently completing Cumulate for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Leslie has many awards, solo exhibits, and residencies, and her work is held in public and private collections. Leslie has taught in both academic and community settings. She has been a contributing writer and artist for Image Journal, SEEN (CIVA) and The Well (InterVarsity). Originally from Nebraska, she now lives in Wisconsin with her husband, where she creates art, collaborates, and connects with her community. When not in her studio, Leslie can often be found hunting for treasures at thrift stores or exploring trails near her home.