Weddings
As a Presbyterian Minister, I often officiate at weddings.  I do the weddings at the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church for couples who call there seeking to have their wedding in the church but who are not members.  I also enjoy bringing a pastoral presence to weddings held in locations outside of the church.  I meet with each couple four times, three of which are for pre-marital counseling and one to plan the ceremony together.  I would be happy to talk to you further about your specific plans for your wedding if you think you would like me to officiate. 

Retreats
I enjoy leading retreats.  I've led retreats for youth, famiies, women and church governing bodies. For the past seven years I have led Fall retreats at the Stronghold Conference Center in Oregon, IL with the women of the First Presbyterian Church of Elgin.  In 2010 our topic was "Dealing with Stress, Spiritually," in 2009 it was "Empowering Friendship ... of Women in the Bible ... and Today!"  In 2008, "Praying with Body and Soul," 2007 "Come to the Water Elgin Women!" 2006 "Autumn Prayer," 2005 "Staying Balanced On the Whale -- the Power of Community," and 2004 "Glimpsing the Cosmic Dance."  I would be happy to talk to you and explore together what would be most helpful for your group and then design something specific for you.

Seminars
I develop seminars in light of the specific interests of a group. In March of 2011, the Rev. John Hobbs and I led a Seminar for McCormick Theological Seminary students on Weddings and Civil Unions.  We have been asked to teach this again in March of 2012.  In Sept./Oct. of 2009, I co-taught a four week seminar on "The Theology of John Calvin" with the Rev. Karen Brugler at First Presbyterian Church of Elgin.  July of 2009 was John Calvin's 500th birthday and so there was much celebration in the Presbyterian Church of his thought this year.  The seminar was well attended and participants seemed to really enjoy it.  I would be interested in talking to you further if you would like to have a seminar for your group.  This seminar had a distinctly religious theme.  I can also prepare something of psychological interest to participants. 

Teaching
I enjoyed teaching the "Introduction to Psychological Science" course for the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 semesters at Elmhurst College and look forward to teaching this class again as well as the Abnormal Psychology class for the Fall of 2011 semester.  In July of 2011, I taught the "Pastoral Care and Boundaries" class for the Commissioned Lay Pastors Training Program for the Synod of Lincoln Trails, Presbyterian Church U.S.A.