NAES Virtual Conference
By The Reverend Kirsten Winkett | Korowa Anglican Girls’ School, VIC
In the strange world that was 2020 I had the pleasure of attending virtually the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) biennial conference. For many people, the idea of attending a virtual conference run in another time zone may have been a bit daunting, but I am a night owl. Being online at a conference from 11:30pm to 5:30am and then heading to work at school for two nights and days in a row did not deter my interest or enthusiasm. All conferences are like a book of short stories, full of potential and possibilities to learn new things and grow your knowledge base. Just as each chapter of a short story has its own fascinating insights and highlights, so do the keynotes and workshops in a conference. The NAES conference was no exception. Overall, I enjoyed the breath and variety of speakers and found the topics covered very relevant, with plenty to challenge me and make me think. At the time of the conference in November 2020, the US was dealing with what it called a dual pandemic, COVID and the violence resulting from the death of George Floyd. As a conference participant living in Australia, I could well understand the COVID context. The riots and violence that the US participants in the conference were experiencing was not part of my context. However, I appreciated the opportunity provided by the speakers and other chaplains 6
sharing in network breakout sessions to reflect upon issues of racism and discrimination. Dr Scott Bader-Saye, the Academic Dean and professor of Christian Ethics and Morality at the Seminary of the Southwest, keynote session was on ‘Fear, Faith and Formation’. Dr Bader-Saye examined how fear is a natural part of being human, but when it is allowed to control us it can create negative outcomes such as the violence happening at the time in the US. In the Christian faith we are called to love and to give our fear to God so that we can form our faith into one of gospel love that can address the impact of fear in the lives of those we are called to care for. Dr Bader-Saye addressed how people’s fear is fed and manipulated by others and that God invites us to hand our fear over to him. In terms of fear, faith and formation, Dr Bader-Saye discussed how we all come from diverse backgrounds and often our fear is that other people’s different backgrounds will threaten the foundations of our ASA NEWS
