JUNE 30 – JULY 4, 2025
Held at the beautiful Grand Targhee Resort in the Grand Teton mountains of Wyoming, ORTCON25 is an in-person conference exploring topics in Open and Relational Theology.
ORTCON25 brings together scholars, leaders, pastors, and activists. The conference provides workshops, lectures, and social activities to deepen relationships and present new ways of imagining God and the universe.
SPEAKER
Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and multidisciplinary scholar. Oord directs the doctoral program in Open and Relational Theology at Northwind Theological Seminary and the Center for Open and Relational Theology. The author or editor of 30+ books, Oord speaks around the world.
SPEAKER
Rev. Dr. Anna Case-Winters is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and serves as Professor of Theology at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. Case-Winters does research in systematic theology, religion and science, open and relational theologies, and theologies attending to economic, ecumenical, ecological issues.
SPEAKER
Jonathan Foster is a husband, dad, writer, and former church planter who exegetes culture from a mimetic theory and open and relational framework. He received his doctorate from Northwind Theological Seminary. He's the partner of one and the father of three.
SPEAKER
John Pohl is professor of pediatrics at University of Utah and completed his doctorate in Open and Relational Theology at Northwind Theological Seminary. His writings have been published in various science and religion journals and websites.
SPEAKER
Shaleen Kendrick is a doctoral student at Northwind Theological Seminary. She serves as an executive culture coach, workshop facilitator, author, podcaster, and passionate speaker.
SPEAKER
Jill Benaglio lives with her family in Scottsdale, AZ. She is a lifelong learner and teacher of liberation and joy!
SPEAKER
Michael Brennan is the author of Flourish: An Open and Relational Queer Theology. He earned his Th.D. from Kairos University / Northwind Theological Seminary and has over 20 years of experience teaching English.
SPEAKER
Damian Geddry’s latest project - Inside The Outsider - investigates the spiritual yearnings and existential questions of the Nones, Dones and SBNR. His conference presentation asks, Can Process Philosophy and Open & Relational Theology help progressive churches reconnect with their communities?
SPEAKER
Chris Hanson is a pediatrician and doctoral student at Northwind Theological Seminary. His special interest is Open and Relational Parenting.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Single Person - $1649*
Couples - $2099
Family - Adult Rate + $329 per child
Cost Includes - Housing and most meals (see conference details below)
Conference rates increase by $350 per adult and $200 per child after May 1, 2025
* if willing to share room with another adult, cost is discounted to $1,099
LOCATION
The beautiful Grand Targhee Resort is located in the Teton Mountains of Wyoming and within an hour of Yellowstone and Teton national parks. Opportunites to visit the national parks are available during ORTCON, but we encourage coming early to the area or staying a few days after.
SPEAKER
Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is Dean of Faculty for the Center for Action and Contemplation. and a podcaster with Learning How to See.
SPEAKER
Gayle Hansen Browne is priest in the Episcopal Church and recent doctoral graduate of Northwind Theological Seminary. Gayle's work has been on prayer in open and relational theological perspectives.
SPEAKER
Josh Patterson is host of the (Re)thinking Faith podcast and a theology student at Northwind Theological Seminary.
SPEAKER
Melissa Owens Stewart is a doctoral student with Northwind Theological Seminary and holds a MSc from the University of Edinburgh in Philosophy, Science, and Religion. Her work aims to reconstruct fundamentalist understandings of scripture using process theology, with particular interests in political theory.
SPEAKER
Tori Owens is a full-time therapist, a part-time doctoral student in Open and Relational Theology, most definitely an everyday mystic, just trying to blend it all in such a way that it might be a little healing
SPEAKER
Steve Watson is the senior pastor of Reservoir Church in Cambridge, MA and is interested in the truth and power found at the intersection of open and relational and post-colonial theologies. He is a doctoral student at Northwind Theological Seminary.
SPEAKER
Jon Paul Sydnor is author of The Great Open Dance: A Progressive Christian Theology. He is also Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Emmanuel College and theologian-in-residence at Grace Community Boston.
SPEAKER
A lifelong fascination with philosophy and science led Tim to pursue a theology doctorate after a career in computers. His dissertation and book is The Silence of the Lamb: Exploring the Hiddenness of God and Christ (spring, 2025).
MORE SPEAKERS TO BE ADDED!
CONFERENCE DETAILS
ORTCON25 officially begins with 6pm dinner on Monday evening (check-in begins at 4pm)
The conference concludes after breakfast on Friday morning.
Participants have the opportunity to share personal projects, writing topics, and ideas-in-process.
In addition to small group discussions, lectures will be held each morning and evening.
TRAVEL
we recommend flying into…
– Jackson Hole Airport – approximately 90 minutes from Resort (Delta, Frontier, Alaska, United, & American)
* alert conference directors by May 15 if you need a shuttle to and from airport; this involves additional cost
MEALS AND HOUSING
– Housing is provided for all registrants (single rooms, shared rooms, and family housing are available)
– 4 Breakfasts (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday)
– 3 Lunches (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
– 1 Dinner (Monday; Participants can purchase other dinners at Grand Targhee, Driggs, and elsewhere)
AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES *
– Explore 2 National Parks
– Horseback Riding (groups of six for ages 6+)
– Mountain Biking (bikes provided)
– Hiking (easy, medium and advanced levels are all available)
– Heated Pool/Hot Tub
– Kid-specific activities include bike clinics, children horseback riding, and pool activities
*Additional cost