Teaching Faculty

Anna Mercedes

Anna is a theologian, pastor, and facilitator working at the intersections of Christian theology, gender and cultural theory, and trauma studies. Anna teaches at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University and at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Anna’s work aims to raise awareness of ways in which Christian traditions have shaped many deeply embodied social oppressions and, in contrast, to discuss and facilitate ways in which spirituality can offer sustaining capacity for liberating social change, healing, and communal flourishing. They are a member of the Christ Seminar with Westar Institute and the author of Power For: Feminism and Christ’s Self-Giving and Interrupting a Gendered, Violent Church. Anna studies in politicized somatics and teaches Mind Body Skills developed by the Center for Mind-Body Medicine.

SESSION DESCRIPTION

From Anna: “In these stand-alone sessions, we’ll explore practices and theologies that can ground and resource us in times of rapid change and crisis. We’ll draw on tools such as theater games, readings from Afro-futurism and decolonial theologies, trauma-informed exercises from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, and liturgical practices. We’ll improvise ways to be sacred assembly together wherever we are. Together we’ll pack our metaphorical bags for spiritual survival and moments of shared thriving in our time.”

SESSION DATES
  • July 28 - July 31
    TOPICS
    • Movement
    • Social Justice
    • Theater
    • Theology and Bible Study

      Education

      Holden Village is a community where your questions are valued and encouraged. Most programs led by visiting teaching faculty occur during the summer months. However, Holden also invites faculty to teach sessions for special events and retreats throughout the rest of the year.
      Check out a list of the 2024 Summer Faculty.