Breakout Sessions

Carolyn Klassen

“Nourishing our Longing for Belonging”

Carolyn Klassen holds a Master of Arts degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counselling and a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Manitoba. She believes that, fundamentally, we are all wired for connection—and that meaningful relationships have tremendous healing power, including our connection with The Divine. With many years of experience as a therapist, teacher, speaker, and writer, Carolyn brings a wealth of insight into the human experience. Her own story of losses and joys has deepened her understanding of grief, pain, anxiety, depression, joy, grace, and the things we don’t often talk about in polite company. Carolyn’s presentations are engaging and thought-provoking, weaving together personal stories, scientific research, faith, and a deeply human perspective. She taught for many years at the University of Manitoba, is a regular teacher at The Meeting Place, speaks widely, and writes about connection
and belonging, including Wired for Connection: the Jesus way of Belonging in a Lonely World. She also has a weekly conversation with Hal Anderson on 680 CJOB. Carolyn is married to Jim in a beautifully grafted family and is mom to five sons, five in-laws, and Oma to six grandchildren.

Brenda Eastveld

“Supporting the Older Adults in Your Life“

Brenda has been married to Scott for 29 years. They have 3 adult children and a goldendoodle named Mabel. She is a partner in ministry with Scott, who is Lead Pastor at Grace Community Church. She is a social worker at Grace Hospital and supports
patients to navigate difficult things. Brenda strives to recognize every person she encounters as an image-bearer of God, deserving of love and respect. She is passionate about music, iced matcha lattes and deep talks/laughing with friends.

Andrea Atkinson

“Art Workshop”

Andrea has always been interested in art but didn’t seriously pursue it until challenged one day by Jesus’ parable of the talents. As a homeschool mom, life was busy and art time scarce, but the Master’s rebuke of the man who buried his talent hit home. Challenged to dig up and develop her one-talent gift, she made a deal with God that if He made a way to make art a priority in her life, she would take Him up on it.
God wasted no time. Within two weeks of this promise, she received a call and a job offer from The King’s School as the new Grade 7-12 art teacher. This unbelievable risk taken by both the school and herself, to fill a position with one who has no professional training in art, was clearly God-initiated and empowered. In saying “yes” she was catapulted from occasional dabbling to intense focus as she set out to establish a curriculum and develop the skills needed to successfully fulfill her mandate.
For the past 16 years, Andrea has been the art teacher at The Kings’ School and established a unique curriculum that equips students with skills in many media and launches them into confident creative expression for the glory of God.