Navigating Transitions: Exploring Practical Tools to Navigate Change with Courage and Grace
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
6:15 PM
Course meets on Wednesdays: May 6, 13 and 20 from 6:15-7:45 p.m. at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS
Jewell's Center for Faith and Culture and partner congregations sponsor a series of Personal Flourishing classes. All are welcome to register using the link below.
Course Description
Drawing upon a Dr. Linda Burks’ recent work Navigating Transitions: Embracing Change and Finding Purpose, this class will explore proven tools for clarifying what truly matters to you in times of transition, growth, decline, and change, options for embracing change with confidence, curiosity, and compassion, and practical ways to step forward from what no longer serves you while welcoming what’s next. Biblical parallels and spiritual practices will be included in each session as well.
About the Instructor
Rev. Dr. Diane Hemmen is the senior associate pastor at Village Presbyterian Church. She was born to South Dakota dairy farmers and grew up going to church three times a week (or more), the rhythms of twice-a-day chores, eating her Grandma’s cookies, and a longing for autumn to come so school would start again in their town of 400. Her love of learning, community, and cookies continues to this day. Her gratitude for God’s welcome and presence keeps growing broader and deeper.
Diane is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls, The Divinity School at Duke University, the University of North Carolina Hospital’s Clinical Pastoral Education program, Princeton Theological Seminary Youth Ministry Institute, Columbia Theological Seminary, and the PC(USA) Transitional Ministry Education Consortium. She also completed training with Healthy Congregations in familial and organizational systems theory, becoming a facilitator and a facilitator trainer. She has served the Presbyterian Church in many roles, including a trauma level-2 hospital, hospice, and home health chaplain, but she mostly recently served as head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Diane is married to Rev. Dr. Gregg Hemmen. They have two grown children, Ainslee and Eli, who were born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, while Diane served at University Presbyterian Church—the congregation that ordained her. Diane loves her family, a good puzzle, celebrating diversity, nurturing the flourishing of others, and chocolate.