Embraced & Empowered
3rd Annual Prison and Reentry Ministries Conference
Partnering in the Path to Freedom – A Call to Action
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” – NIV
May 2-3, 2025
Live-Streamed via Zoom and hosted in-person at
First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Washington, D.C.
Agenda & Schedule
All times are Eastern (EDT)
Friday May 2 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Dinner included
Session 1: My Path to Freedom–Finding Moral Transformation Inside Prison
Session 2: When I Got Out: Challenges and Successes
Saturday May 3 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Light breakfast, lunch, and snacks included
Session 1: Prison Ministry is Character Transformation Work…How to Get Started
Session 2: Journeying Together in the Path to Freedom—Preparing for Release
Session 3: Reentry Ministry – The Essential Role of Faith-Based Communities in Healing Society
Session 4: Short Presentations – Innovation and New Technology
Session 5: Becoming a Pillar of Society: The Ultimate Potential
Session 6: Breakout groups discussion
Speakers
Brian Abbott, Rey Aguilar, Byron Alexander, Daniel Alexander, David Fowler, Sister Mary Sean Hodges, Chris Hoke, Tina Huston, Tony Kim, Jeanine Lambert, Whitney Louchheim, Marilyn McDonald, John Moore, Lisa Moore, Carlos Ponce, Gabriel Serafini, Courtney Stewart, Carlos Vasquez, Marlon Walker, Steep Weiss, Maegan West, Ted Wolfarth
Musicians
Matthew Hammond and Davya Flaharty (LoveOnlyGrows.org)
Karen Wilson-Ama’Echefu (www.drkspeaks.com)
Russ Rodgers, Djembe Gilliam
Sponsors
Thank you to all our generous sponsors. Because of you we are able to offer this conference at no charge to attendees. Add your name to this list – Sponsor opportunities available here.
– Platinum Sponsors –
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington, D.C.
Joint Institutional Committee of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area – Sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington D.C.
Deb Wickersham
Anonymous
– Gold Sponsors –
The Principle Foundation
Share the Practice – Websites for Christian Scientists
Cox Media Productions
Event Rentals DC • James Hill, General Manager
Lynn House of Potomac Valley
Anonymous
– Returning Citizen / Speaker Travel Sponsor –
Deb Wickersham • Bonnie Williams • Shannon Horst • Anonymous
Partners
Venue / Parking
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington, D.C.
910 16th St NW
(Black Lives Matter Plaza)
Washington, DC 20006
Driving Directions / Map
First Church DC is located at 910 16th St NW on Black Lives Matter Plaza, a few blocks away from the Farragut North and Farragut West metro stops.
Parking
Free parking is available after 5:00 PM on Friday. Park in the P1 or P2 levels. The parking garage is located at the corner of 16th and I Streets, on the I Street side of the building. Address is 900 16th Street NW. After turning onto I Street, take an immediate right into the garage (adjoining Il Piatto). Directions / Map to entrance of garage
Airport / Accommodations
Fly into Reagan International Airport (DCA) – free shuttle to hotel.
Holiday Inn: National Airport/Crystal City
$129 / night + taxes (discounted rate, limited inventory)
2650 Richmond Hwy
Arlington, VA 22202
Map / Directions
Contact Information
- Gabriel Serafini – Embraced:Fully Co-Founder – gabriel@embracedfully.org – (415) 640-5984
- David Fowler – Embraced:Fully Co-Founder – david@embracedfully.org – (760) 822-2133
Register for Free – All are welcome.
Sponsor Opportunities
Thank you for supporting this conference! We can’t do it without the generous support of donors.
Poster & Desk Announcement
Please download, print and post the invitation poster linked below. You are also welcome to use the desk announcement to help share this conference with your local congregation.
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