Building Transformational Leadership Skills
"Spirituality is making what is invisible visible; religion is the rituals, rhythms, and practices we form to connect to that visibility."
--Scott Erickson, Honest Advent
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
--Matthew 23:37
1. Empowering the Church to be faithful to God’s call, reflective of Christ’s mission, and open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit.
It happened early in my journey, and it wasn’t pretty. People were worked up about finances and divided on mission; sides were forming, and as some voices grew louder with indignation, others were silenced. It was ugly, full of anger, fear, and judgment.
The impulse should have been to run but instead, I found myself in full body prayer: feet grounded; energy focused; hands open; long, intentional breaths. I don’t try to understand or explain the mystery of prayer. I don’t think there is any one correct way to pray, except to be present, and I was present that day. My whole body was interceding, inviting the Holy to bring some measure of calm and awareness. When I left the meeting, I collapsed in tears.
Why had I stayed? In my youth, I had run away, calling a similar group of people self-righteous, judgmental hypocrites. But as I did a body check that day, I realized my heart was aching not with anger or disgust but with compassion; and though the energy was focused on that group of people, the ache was for…all of creation.
We humans! We get ugly, fearful, self-righteous, and hypocritical. We fling hurt around in our unawareness. We kill prophets, stone those sent to us, and hurt each other and our planet in the process. Yet, the Divine in unimaginable patience and love continues to invite us under “her wings”, aches to save us from our own self-destruction. When we open to this Divine love, it transform us—not once, but over and over again—and invites us to be a force for transformation in the world around us. Whether we intend it or not, we become leaders.
Experienced minister; trained in empathetic pastoral and spiritual care; able to provide accompanying presence, emotional support and spiritual guidance to all ages within the varieties of spiritual/non-spiritual orienting systems with a focus on non-judgmental active and reflective listening; advocates for compassion, inclusion and understanding with effective verbal and written communication skills; adept at managing multiple tasks simultaneously; dedicated team player; comfortable in parish, hospital, and long-term care settings
--Profile excerpt from Elisabeth Colson Seymour's Resume
2. Strategically creating the future of God’s Church and (3.) Witnessing in the public square to God’s redeeming power.
I recently ran into a family I had worked with when I was a Children’s and Family Minister. The mom laughed as she recalled the Christmas pageants I had directed and wondered aloud if perhaps those fun times were the very spark that sent, not only her children, but many of the church’s pageant performers into Chelsea’s theatre clubs.
“I think you showed them it was okay to be true to themselves…remember the purple dinosaur?”
I do remember that dino!
Every year, I had the children help me write the script for the church’s Christmas pageant, and I would let each child claim the part they wanted. That year, as we discussed the animals that would come to meet baby Jesus, one of our youngest members called out, “I want to come as a purple dinosaur.”
FCC youth performing on hand chimes (Regrettably, I have no photo of the purple dino.)
I didn’t hesitate, “Beautiful!” I said. “Let’s find you a costume!”
It might seem surprising to see a purple dinosaur joining the Holy Family at a Christmas pageant. But think about it—doesn't the very purpose of a pageant remind us that the Divine chose to dwell among us? God’s love was so immense that it took human form to be with us—yes, with *us*! This boundless love embraces us completely, just as we are, in all our uniqueness. It’s a love so deep and profound that God finds joy in meeting us right where we are.
The shepherds didn’t take baths before entering the stable where Jesus was born. The Wise People didn’t remove their crowns. If being a purple dinosaur makes a child’s heart sing, then she should come to Christ as a purple dinosaur.
This experience shaped how I saw myself as a leader. I realized my role is to remind us that Christ meets us exactly as we are—in all the unique ways that make us who we are. Over the years of serving with Parables: All-Abilities Inclusion Worship, this truth has taken root even deeper in my heart. Worshiping together in this space continually reveals the boundless Love of the Divine. I am often moved to tears by the raw, honest, and beautiful expressions—and even the spontaneous outbursts—of individuals who are too often silenced or excluded from traditional Sunday worship settings.
Now, each week during chapel service at CRC’s Assisted Living and Memory Care facility, I remind the residents of this same simple yet powerful truth: they are deeply loved, just as they are. No matter how they arrived that day, they are fully welcomed. Whatever challenges they may be facing in their body, mind, or emotions, they are cherished by God and embraced in that sacred space.
I don’t believe my role is to change people into something they’re not. Instead, I see my purpose as inviting people to embrace God’s love exactly as they are, in their truest form. When we open ourselves to the Divine’s love—both individually and as a community—that love becomes the transformative force that empowers us to step into who we were created to be. It’s this love that helps to build the Kin-dom of God, a place where everyone belongs: the young and the old, the marginalized, the shepherds and kings, and yes, even the purple dinosaurs.
When I first met Elisabeth I was immediately drawn to her warm presence, positive outlook, welcoming nature, and fun spirit.
As one of the helpers in the Sunday school classes Elisabeth lead, I was able to see first hand her passion and dedication for teaching children about Jesus and the Bible. She is gifted in her ability to connect with others and make them feel welcome and excited about learning.
When our church closed due to Covid restrictions, Elisabeth continued Sunday School in a virtual setting and was able to creatively engage with the children even though we weren’t physically together. She even included the children’s family members and grandparents in the zoom meetings--people who wouldn’t have otherwise been able to participate in church.
In addition, Elisabeth created a women’s group who met at her house and enjoyed discussion and time together. I am very grateful to know Elisabeth!
--Jane Shrosbree, former FCC Council President
4. Performing necessary and appropriate administrative tasks
* United Church of Christ, Covenant Association: Intern Secretary (Spring, 2025)
- Actively participate in the Covenant Association’s monthly Executive Team Board meetings
- Record, edit, and share minutes from meetings
- Plan, coordinate, and present at the Covenant Association’s Annual Meeting (2025)
- Led the Covenant Association in prayer and guided meditation practice, as well as hosted session on incorporating meditation and movement into personal prayer practices
* St. Paul United Church of Christ, Chelsea: Intern Pastor (Fall, 2024)
- Work closely with St. Paul’s pastor to learn the church’s history and culture
- Took on all pastoral duties while the pastor was on leave
- Develop bulletins, coordinate with the worship team, and facilitate Sunday Worship experiences
- Develop and facilitate Bible Study Class and Children’s Time
- Facilitated Church Council meetings
Ministering over Zoom
5. Working collaboratively with intercultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Member of Chelsea First, Parables Preaching Team assisting with planning and preaching (2023-Present)
- Ministering and teaching in rural Alaska (2005-2011)
- Employed as a Contingent Chaplain, Chelsea Hospital (2024-Current)
- Part of Global Missions Group to Mexico and Kenya (2003-2005)
6. Encouraging leadership development of self and others through continuing education and lifelong learning.
- Master of Divinity with Chaplaincy Certificate (2026)
- Grief Support Training (2025)
- Clinical Pastoral Education (Spring 2024)
- In-depth Year-Long Class on First and Second Testaments (2023)
- Boundaries Training (2022)
- Leadership Conferences (2021-2023)
- Open and Affirming Training (2018)
- Continuing Education through Marygrove College and University of Fairbanks (2005-2018)