Topic: Spiritual Strength: When the Nightmares Come

Join Amy Gopp and Brian Shields for a safe, supportive session for faith leaders and participants to process experiences of fear, trauma, or uncertainty. Through guided conversation and story-sharing, participants will explore practices for nurturing spiritual resilience when life feels overwhelming or unsettling.

Facilitator: Revs. Amy Gopp and Brian Shields

The Rev. Amy Gopp serves as senior Pastor at Kent UCC. With over two decades of experience in faith-based relief, refugee and development, she served as the Director of Member Relations and Pastoral Care at Church World Service and as Executive Director of Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and development fund of the Disciples of Christ.  A passionate activist for gender justice and girls and women’s education and empowerment, Gopp is one of the key founding leaders of the interfaith We Will Speak Out U.S. coalition and campaign to end sexual and gender-based violence.  She now serves as the President of the Faith Trust Institute’s Board of Directors and on the Safer Futures Domestic Violence and Resource Center Advisory Board in Portage County, Ohio.

The Rev. Brian A. Shields served as a healthcare chaplain for 17 years. He is a member of Plymouth Church in Shaker Heights, OH. Through his experience with patients, their families and his own life as a middle aged adult, he brings a depth of compassion for adults in mid-life grief. He obtained a Master of Divinity (2006) from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Tuskegee University (2002). After years of discernment, supply preaching and serving various roles in local congregations, Brian has discovered a call to pastoral ministry in the church.  Brian shares life with his spouse, Rev. Jessica Shields, two engaging and vibrant daughters, Abigail and Morgan, and their dog, Marley. Brian enjoys meditation, being in nature, hiking, exercise, quiet moments of contemplation, writing and good, hearty belly laughter. His life is continually enriched by exploring his inner life through therapy and maintaining a strong support group.