Television writer-producer Barbara Hall will be the keynote speaker at "Faith Odyssey 2007," the annual conference day sponsored by St. Monica Church in Santa Monica, on Jan. 13.

Twelve featured speakers will address "Awakening Your Creative Spirit" in workshop sessions in addition to Hall's keynote talk on "The Art of Creating Character." Hall's series include "Joan of Arcadia," "Judging Amy" and "Chicago Hope."

"As persona replaces true character in our culture, the concept also goes missing in our mythology, most obviously on the screen," said Hall. "But character can be discovered, developed and exercised like a muscle both on and off the page. Excavating your true nature through what Rollo May described as the 'artistic encounter' is the most alluring and mystical aspect of creativity. The first character you have to confront in any artistic endeavor is your own."

Workshop speakers include Jim Finley, Amir Hussain, Msgr. Lloyd Torgerson, Dan Miller, Sandra Beckwith, Father Doug Glassman, Kitty Felde, John A. Swanson, Anastasia Kalivas, Father David Guffey, Joe Aleman and Cathy Salser. Their topics include art as spiritual healing, the iconography of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Catholic sensibility in media and art, and the relationship between Islam and Christianity.

The day begins at 8 a.m. with registration ($50) and concludes with 4:30 p.m. liturgy. St. Monica Church is located at 725 California Ave., Santa Monica. For information, call (310) 566-1500 or email srcatherine@stmonica.net .