By Elizabeth Holland, postulant from the Diocese of Olympia, MDiv Class of 2026
In May, I attended the Preaching Excellence Program (PEP) Conference in Richmond, Virginia, hosted by The Episcopal Preaching Foundation (EPF). PEP was founded in 1987 by A. Gary Shilling and aims to strengthen preachers within The Episcopal Church. This year’s theme was “Jesus Sent Them Out to Proclaim the Kingdom” (Luke 9:2).
Six rising seniors from the Seminary of the Southwest, including myself (Diocese of Olympia), Jennifer Murphy (Diocese of West Texas) Paige Trivett (Diocese of Virginia), Jewels Wolf (Diocese of the Rio Grande), Jimmy Haney (Diocese of Northwest Texas), and Iwao Asakura (Diocese of Texas), joined about 45 other Episcopal and Anglican seminarians from dioceses, seminaries, and local formation programs from across the U.S. and Canada.
The PEP Conference focused on enhancing preaching skills and fostering connections. Each meal was served buffet-style to encourage us to sit with different people so that we could share ourselves and our seminary experiences and get to know one another a bit more. Prayer was a central part of our experience, with Morning and Evening Prayers highlighting various worship styles, preaching styles, and reinforcing the idea that liturgy is dynamic and adaptable.
Daily workshops provided insights into different preaching styles and techniques. We were divided into smaller groups with seminarians from various schools, where we delivered sermons and offered constructive feedback. These groups quickly felt like family, allowing us to support one another in our growth.
One workshop I attended, “The Word Encountered: Art, Embodiment, and Interpretation,” led by Susan Ironside and Christine Parton Burkett, encouraged us to explore intersections of art and scripture through creative activities such as reading a passage in a group with different characters, role-playing a passage, and also reading the passage with different emphasis. Another workshop, “Instant Preaching,” led by former Southwest professor Micah Jackson, challenged us with a scenario that gives new (and experienced) preachers nightmares: “You arrive at church right before the service, and the senior priest isn’t there. You have five minutes to prepare a sermon—go!” – an exhilarating experience simulating real-world preaching challenges. Nikki Mathis’ workshop on trauma-responsive preaching and Sister Miriam Elizabeth’s beading session also enriched our preaching development.
The Rev. Nancy Frausto, the Director of Latinx Studies at Southwest, played an active role at PEP. She supported us and hosted a dinner for those interested in multicultural ministries. The Rev. Nandra Perry, Director of the Iona Collaborative, presented on local formation programs, emphasizing that there are pathways to the priesthood that differ from the norm of traditional seminary routes.
Several staff and volunteers at PEP have either graduated from or been affiliated with Seminary of the Southwest, and it was wonderful to meet some of them. The relationships built during the conference were invaluable. Some of my classmates and I served in various roles during services, such as reader, singer, or cantor, which was a beautiful experience, and allowed us to collaborate and make new friends.
PEP provided a welcoming environment that encouraged authenticity. A poignant takeaway was a message from Sister Miriam Elizabeth about “finding your Elizabeth” – a supportive person who lifts you up, helps you carry burdens, and encourages you to confront challenges, even when you feel unprepared. Now back in Austin, I am excited to incorporate what I have learned from PEP into my seminary life and field education sites. I also want to continue supporting others on their journeys and possibly being an Elizabeth for someone else’s Mary.
