Topher Endress (He/Him) earned his M.Div from Vanderbilt Divinity School (Nashville, TN) in 2015 and his PhD from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, UK) in 2021. Despite time spent in TN, TX, and the UK, he considers himself solidly Midwestern, having grown up in Evansville IN. Topher currently leads the Institute on Theology and Disability (National Benevolent Association) and is excited to serve as the Associate Minister at First Christian Church in Columbia, Missouri. 

He has authored numerous academic journal articles and recently published a book, Accompanying Disability: Caretaking, Family, and Faith, which draws on his experience with his father who became a quadriplegic after a hiking accident. 

Topher will share creative and provocative messages that open us to experience so much about our theme, “Companions on the Journey…A Gathering of Spirits & a Festival of Friends.” Addressing the understanding that no matter our abilities/differences, we are companions on the journey toward authentic communion with God & neighbor (all whom we encounter/walk beside on Life's Journey).

Rev. Sherrie Lowly 

Sherrie was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is a writer, a pastor, and a community builder. With a degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University, Chicago, and a Master’s of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Sherrie served as a pastor of United Methodist churches in the Chicago, IL, area for 25 years. She is now retired and working on a memoir book project of her relationship with her adult daughter, Temma Day Lowly, who lives with profound disabilities. Sherrie writes at slowly@wordpress.com

Tim Lowly

Tim Lowly was born in Hendersonville, North Carolina, but spent most of his youth in South Korea, where his parents were missionaries. 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 to 2023. His work has been exhibited widely, with much of it centered on Temma. Now retired from North Park, Tim is focused on art making. 

instagram.com/timlowly or facebook.com/tlowly

Tim, Sherrie, Temma, and their friend and caregiver, Ellen, live together in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. 

Together, Tim and Sherrie will facilitate a workshop in word and image of how their daughter has companioned them on their journey learning to breathe together to exaggerate their souls.

“Together they breathed deeply, like 

people who exaggerate their soul because 

they have no other riches.”  

May Sarton, A World of Light

Jon Blalock is the Director of Adapted Programs at Christmount and he has supported people on the autism spectrum in a variety of programs and environments for over 20 years. 

He will share information collected by the Institute for Learning Centered Education's Autism Initiative as well as personal stories of helping to create programs that welcome autistic people. The goal of the session is to present a model for broadening our communities through adaptation and understanding. 

Participants will leave with a general understanding of the "adapted community" approach, a practical guide to incorporating autistic people into their programs, and how they might replicate the discussion among their friends and neighbors. 

Deb  & Dean are bringing their many, varied gifts of liturgy and music as they coordinate all the worship gatherings for this event. Both Dean & Deb are ordained Disciples of Christ ministers, living in Versailles, KY where Deb serves as pastor of New Union Church. 

Deb is co-founder of DisciplesNet Church www.disciplesnet.org an online church for persons not able to attend a physical church. Deb is a graduate of Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and a former secondary school teacher with a specialty in chemistry, physics, and other sciences.  Her special interests are Disciples history, the theology of disability & reconciliation ministries.

Dean, a singer, songwriter, guitarist and graduate of Emory School of Theology and has served as Transitional General Minister of the KY region. He has also served Cherry Log Christian Church, Cherry Log, GA & Community Christian Church, Fayetteville, GA.  And has also served in Regional Ministry as a Team Minister, IN; Interim & Transitional Minister in Regions of Ohio, Oklahoma & Central Rocky Mountain.