Susan Knowles has served in a variety of teaching, administration, and reconciliation roles in churches, Christian day schools, in the homeschooling community, and in the military community for over 25 years. Cross-Shaped Conversations combines a love of theology and literature discussion with the desire to encourage biblical literacy, seeking to engage all ages in discussions that observe how God's Word impacts our hearts and applies in our lives. Over the past 15 years Susan has developed these resources to support cross-shaped, scripture-rich conversations that recognize the interactions of Law and Gospel in the heart and how this work is expressed in our life with others. Using simple language alongside visual cues for scriptural concepts, these posters and hands-on tools bridge language barriers so that all ages can participate.
Susan has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Concordia College, Bronxville, NY, a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) from Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharine's, Ontario, and LCMS Deaconess Certification from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is certified as a Christian Conciliator through the Institute for Christian Conciliation, serves as a Christian Reconciler and presenter with Ambassadors of Reconciliation, and also serves as an LCMS Reconciler. She and her husband, Rev. Alex Knowles, have four children.
Publications:
- The Canadian Lutheran magazine May/June 2019 “Theology for Everyday Life”
- Tapestry magazine, publication of LWML Canada, Fall 2021, "Reconciliation: Peace Because of Jesus"
- Classical Lutheran Education Journal XIX 2019 “Churches, Schools, and Homeschools: Looking Outside the Box in Support of Classical Learning"
Contributed to:
- Motherhood Under The Cross LCMS Life Ministry Devotion Book
- Confirmation Class Higher Things Confirmation Curriculum: Parent Track for Year 2 - supplied
story material, discussion questions, and potential responses for parent-led discussions. - Eternal Treasures: Teaching Your Child at Home by Cheryl Swope & Rachel Whiting - LCMS Resources
Presentations:
- Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation and Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean? Licensed Instructor since 2018 presenting Ambassadors of Reconciliation's seminars
- Cross-Shaped Conversations with Children and Youth and The Heart of Peacemaking For Children & Youth Ambassadors of Reconciliation’s 2023 Reconcilers Equipping Reconcilers Best Practices Conference
- The Heart of Peacemaking with Children Part 1: Overflowing Hearts and God’s Reset Button and The Heart of Peacemaking with Children Part 2: The Colors of God’s Love at Work Ambassadors of Reconciliation’s 2020 Best Practices in Reconciliation Virtual Conference
- Churches, Schools, and Homeschoolers - Using Overlapping Needs to Re-think the Box in Support of Classical Learning Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education Conference 2019
- Special Interest Luncheon Speaker for Operation Barnabas (LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces) with Chaplain Craig Muehler, LWML National Convention 2019 and 2021
- Walking in the Light Together - 1 John 1:7 Niagara Zone LWML Spring Event 2018, St. Paul Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, NY
- Peacemaking for the Classroom: A Culture of Good News with the Family Peacemaking Kit St. Paul Lutheran School, Hilton, NY for the Early Childhood through Grade 8 teachers December 2012. Follow up workshops in August 2013 and August 2014.
- Peacemaking for the Classroom: A Culture of Good Newswith the Family Peacemaking Kit - a conflict resolution and reconciliation kit for day school and Sunday school teachers. Eastern District Church Worker’s Conference 2012
- Operation Barnabas: Caring for Military Families in Your Community Eastern District Church Worker’s Conference 2008 break-out session presentation