wfn.org | Spiritual Formation Program's Leadership Corps Members Are Chosen

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

6-August-1997 
97302 
 
    Spiritual Formation Program's Leadership Corps 
    Members Are Chosen 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The eight members of the Presbyterian Church's new 
Leadership Corps for the Institute for Christian Formation (ICF) have been 
chosen and will soon begin their terms of service, according to 
Congregational Ministries Division (CMD) officials. 
 
    Working with the Rev. Brad Kent, ICF associate in the Christian Faith 
and Life Program Area of the Congregational Ministries Division, Leadership 
Corps members will support and coordinate ministries of spiritual formation 
in presbyteries and congregations within their assigned areas. 
 
    "The Leadership Corps reflects the diversity and inclusiveness of the 
denomination," Kent said. "They will have their first retreat in 
mid-September and then begin their work of carrying forward the 
denomination's initiative for spiritual formation." 
 
    Additionally, Kent said, each will be available to lead workshops or 
retreats and to act as a resource person. The Corps will also plan and 
present at least one significant spiritual formation event under the 
auspices of the Institute. 
 
    The eight members are the Rev. John Ackerman of Minneapolis; the Rev. 
Robert Fernandez of Grenada Hills, Calif.; the Rev. Paula Owens Parker of 
Richmond, Va.; Joy White Pruett of Gainesville, Ga.; Ruth Russling of 
Bethlehem, Pa.; the Rev. Lyta G. Seddig of Meadsville, Pa.; the Rev. Sidney 
D. Skirvin of Pueblo, Colo.; and Betty Lou Stull of Wooster, Ohio. 
 
    Ackerman recently retired from his position as pastor of Bryn Mawr 
Presbteyrian Church in Minneapolis. He is a spiritual director, retreat 
leader and author of several books and articles. His training in spiritual 
formation was through the Shalem Institute. 
 
    Fernandez serves as executive of San Fernando Presbytery. He has 
completed the certification program in the art of spiritual direction at 
San Francisco Theological Seminary. In addition to his duties for the 
presbytery, he is developing a ministry as spiritual director for both 
groups and individuals. 
 
    Parker is program director for Richmond Hill, a nonprofit, ecumenical 
retreat center in Richmond, Va., and interim pastor for two Presbyterian 
congregations. At Richmond Hill, she is responsible for programs in urban 
spirituality, Christian social transformation, African-American 
spirituality and healing ministry. Her training in spirituality is at the 
Benedictine Monastery in Pecos, N.M. 
 
    Pruett received her Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological 
Seminary in 1995 and is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry in 
spirituality at San Francisco Theological Seminary, where she completed the 
certification program in the art of spiritual direction. She has served two 
churches as interim lay pastor and currently has a ministry in retreat 
leadership and spiritual direction. 
 
    Russling holds both an Ed.D. in education from LeHigh University and a 
Doctor of Ministry in spiritual direction from the Graduate Theological 
Foundation. She originated and orchestrated a spiritual formation program, 
Damascan Ministries, at First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem, Pa. She is a 
national board member of Presbyterians for Renewal and maintains an active 
ministry in spiritual direction and leadership of retreats. 
 
    Seddig is presently spiritual director for Olmstead Manor, a Methodist 
adult retreat and renewal center. She is involved in many social justice 
concerns and serves as Protestant chaplain at the state women's 
correctional institution in Cambridge Springs, Pa. Seddig served as 
pastor-in-residence for the 1996 Montreat Peacemaking Conference. 
 
    Skirvin, whose first career was as a chemist, has served as a pastor, 
as a seminary professor and dean of students, and most recently as interim 
executive of Pueblo Presbytery. He is a founding member of a presbytery 
group called "The Committee of Spirituality and Stewardship." 
 
    Stull has served the denomination nationally and locally in many 
capacities, including moderator of Muskingum Valley Presbytery and 
co-founder of Retreat Ministry Mission Group, which is now a part of the 
presbytery program. An educator, she has recently retired as a teacher of 
communication skills at the Agricultural Technical Institute of Ohio State 
University in Wooster, Ohio. She received her training in spiritual 
formation through the Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C. 

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