Speaking

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(available for Virtual Speaking events via zoom)

David Ellingson is available for speaking engagements. Topics include:

• Paddle Pilgrim Adventures with pictures/stories (Mississippi River, Erie Canal and Hudson River, Fjords of Norway. Mekong River)
• Spirituality
• Creation Care
• Faith Formation
• Holistic Health

Dave is also available for consultation on Children, Youth & Family Ministry, Outdoor Leadership, Visioning, 
Program Development, Event Planning. Community Gardening. Advocacy interests include Creation Care, Children, Hunger, Housing, Living Wage, Senior Citizens, Diversity.

To inquire about availability for speaking engagements or consultation please email [email protected].
The Paddle Pilgrim Media Kit (PDF) is available to help promote your upcoming Paddle Pilgrim speaking event. ​

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events

2025
Jan.          7: Mekong River Adventure @ Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, WA 11:30 am
              12: Norway: "Coming Home" film @ Mt. View Lutheran Church, Edgewood, WA 9:30 am
              16: FLRB Writers Group, Memoir:  "Ain't Got Time to Die"  11 am
              19: Paddling Epiphanies @ Resurrection Lutheran Church in Tacoma, WA 4pm:
March   16-20 "Play Ball" at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, AZ.  More info. soon.
              25 Red Acorn Podcast 7:30 am  (more information soon)
April       22-24 "Go Outside and Play"  Camp Lutherhaven, Coeur d'Alene, ID 
               26: Norway film, Whidbey Island Nordic Center, Coupville, Wa 11 am.
               27: Preach/Teach: First Lutheran of Richmond Beach, 9:15 "Reflections of a Contemplative Activist"                                          Worship 10:30
July          23: Norway film @ Giants of the Earth Heritage Center, Spring Grove, Minnesota
                24: Norway film @ Nordic Fest, Decorah, Iowa, 11 am
                26: Reflections of a Contemplative Activist, Clear Lake, Iowa Public Library, 2:30 pm
                28-31 "Go Outside and Play" Montana Continuing Ed Event Camp Christikon. McLeod, MT.
August    17: Preach: Noticing: Poems from Everyday Life, 10:00 am, Northlake Lutheran Church, Kenmore, WA
Sept.       15: Ain't Got Time to Die" @ The Hearthstone in Seattle, 3 pm.
                16: Vintage Spirits, Holy Spirit Kirkland 7pm
                22-24 "Go Outside and Play"  Camp Lutherhaven, Coeur d'Alene, ID
Oct.           5: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lynnwood, Preach, 10 am
                19: "Go Outside and Play," Mt. Cross Lutheran Church, Tacoma, 11:30
Nov.        16:  "Go Outside and Play," North Lake Lutheran Church, Kenmore, WA  11 am
2026:
Jan.           6:  Messiah Lutheran Church, Auburn, "Running Around the World in 80 Days."  11;30
               16: FLRB Writer's Group: "Running Around the  World in 80 Days."  11 am.
                26: "Ain't Got Time to Die" Reflections of a Contemplative Activist, Mt. Cross Lutheran, 9 am
Feb.         22: "Running Around the World in 80 Days"  FLRB, Shoreline, WA 9:15 am
March    10-13 "Play Ball and Connect" Baseball Retreat, Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Arizona                                               More info/register: https://spiritinthedesert.org/programs/retreats-in-arizona/play-ball-and-connect-retreat/

A sampler of past events: 

​REI in Seattle/Bellevue/Tacoma/Olympia/Spokane 
Iowa Independent Film Festival, Mason City, IA (Kayaking Norway "Coming Home" film shown)
ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza, Anaheim, CA (Creation Care. Go Outside & Play)
Sons/Daughters of Norway, Lodges in Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin, Georgia
Canoecopia, the World's Largest Paddling Expo in Madison, WI
      

Earth Day Celebration, Our Savior's Lutheran in Everett, WA, St. Andrews Lutheran in Mahtomedi, MN​
​Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna, MN
Luther College, Decorah, IA, Oneota Film Festival 
​National Nordic Museum, Ballard, WA ​
Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Medina, NY
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, The Adventure of Faith, Carefree, AZ
Camp Lutherhaven, Coeur d'Alene, ID