Faith Development Week

Transforming Hearts and Minds

Faith leaders have a special kind of burnout because it is inherent in the work of caring for others. We receive the stories of others who are vulnerable or in anguish as we carry our own pain. This week we will delve into innovative ways to deepen compassion, enhance resilience, and reduce burnout while increasing our capacity for care. We will use art, poetry, and self-reflection based on the Narrative Medicine process created at Columbia University to offer healing practices to hold you and that you can take back to your congregation.

Ashley Hamlin works as the Director of Lifespan Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County in central PA. Her graduate work is in Theological Studies and she has directed and been involved in church ministry leadership at various times throughout her life. Prior to coming to UUFCC, she worked in education, exploring various educational philosophies such as Montessori and teaching the ancient classics. She loves stories, creating connective and interactive spaces, and artistic environments and experiences for others. Ashley has traveled to various continents working with refugees, orphans, and studying theology abroad. She loves immersing herself in other cultures and learning from the people. She also loves connecting people together and to resources to help build equity and has a heart for social justice work in her community and beyond. She has a background in the performing arts and loves theater, opera, and live music performances. Her hobbies include camping, hiking, bike trips with friends, reading, engaging in philosophical discussions, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Rev. Dr. Tracy Sprowls is the Minister at the UU Fellowship of Centre County in State College, PA. This is her twenty-seventh year serving our congregations as a minister, twelve years of which have been as the religious educator. She holds a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the New York Theological Seminary (NYTS). In addition to her work in Centre County, Tracy is a writer with several published articles and several unfinished novels. She was also a religion blog writer for MyCentralJersey.com from 2014 to 2019. She loves reading, knitting, writing, riding her bike, yoga, and the beach. She lives in Bellefonte, PA with her husband, David, and their two dogs, Jova and Macy. Tracy and David have three grown children and one grandchild.