Speakers

Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing.

As an inter-spiritual advocate, Kaitlin participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships.

Besides her books, Kaitlin has written online for Sojourners, Religion News Service, Apartment Therapy, On Being, SELF Magazine, and more. Her work has been featured on CBS and in USA Today. She also writes at The Liminality Journal. Kaitlin lives in Philadelphia with her family.

Kaitlin will serve as the keynote speaker on Friday Evening and Saturday Morning.

Landis Barber grew up in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and remains a member of his hometown church, Brown’s Chapel United Methodist Church. As a member of Brown’s Chapel’s youth group, Landis participated in as many conference events as possible—eventually serving as President of the NCCUMC Youth in 2011-2012. Afterward, Landis attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte while spending his summers as a counselor at Camp Don Lee.

Landis holds degrees in Political Science and History from Charlotte and a law degree from Campbell University. Currently an attorney with a firm in Raleigh, Landis spends his time volunteering with multiple sports organizations and attends Southeast Raleigh Table United Methodist Church. Landis is excited to join Pilgrimage 2023 and thrilled to be home.

Landis will serve as the keynote speaker on Saturday Evening.

After graduating from Duke Divinity School, Bishop Shelton returned to Mississippi to serve three small-membership churches. Following that appointment, she served as the Executive Director of the United Methodist Hour television and radio broadcast for seven years, where she was the weekly preacher. She returned to Duke Divinity School in 2005 to serve as the Director of Field Education for three years.

Upon returning to Mississippi in 2008, she served Galloway United Methodist Church for five years before being appointed as the Director of Connectional Ministries and Communications for the Mississippi Annual Conference. In 2015 she was appointed as a District Superintendent for the East Jackson District. In 2022, she was appointed, along with three other superintendents, to oversee the Hattiesburg District as part of a new initiative from the Mississippi Annual Conference.

Bishop Shelton is married to the Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton, who serves as the Dean of the Chapel and Director of Church Relations at Millsaps College. They have two daughters, Bailey and Jessica.

Bishop Shelton will serve as the keynote speaker on Sunday Morning.