Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 10:30am

Lead with Purpose. Grow in Community.

Join fellow clergy and lay leaders in our Pre-Conference sessions—focused cohorts designed to equip and inspire you in your ministry in the Church.

These gatherings allow you to share wisdom, explore strategies, and spark vision for strengthening and sustaining the Church’s work. Guided by experienced clergy, lay leaders, and ministry practitioners from across the Episcopal Church and beyond, each pre-conference speaks directly to the real challenges and opportunities of church leadership today. Each pre-conference is designed to strengthen you in your ministry role whether clergy or lay, paid church staff or volunteers.

This year, we’re excited to offer 7 pre-conferences for the following roles:

• Rectors & Deans
• Senior Associates, Sub-Deans, Vice Rectors, & Vicars
• Associate Priests & Curates
• Parish Administrators
• Volunteer Lay Leaders – Vestries, Wardens, Committee Chairs
• Lay Church Staff – Serving in parishes, cathedrals, or other Episcopal institutions (new in 2026)
• Diocesan Canons (new in 2026)

Explore the session descriptions and choose the one aligned to your role in the Church.

Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Join Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe in a conversation exclusively for senior church leaders (rectors, deans, vicars, priests-in-charge, interim rectors)

Speaker:
The Most Rev. Sean Rowe, 28^th Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church, New York, NY

Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 11:00am

Data
Dr. Erica Dollhopf, the Rev. Dr. Molly James, and Dr. Charissa Mikoski will explore the latest data on The Episcopal Church and what it reveals about trends, opportunities, and faithful next steps. Discover how current research can inform strategy and strengthen your ministry on the ground.

Discernment
Dr. Courtney Cowart, the Rev. Hillary Greer, the Rev. Marisa Sifontes, and the Rev. Canon John Thompson-Quartey will lead a conversation on contemporary discernment models. Together, they will examine how these frameworks might be renewed and reimagined to support those discerning both lay and ordained ministry.

Dispute Resolution
Mary Kostel will introduce new churchwide systems and tools designed to support parishes and dioceses navigating Title IV processes, including the development of a new alternative dispute resolution pathway.

Facilitator:
Brian Prior, Senior Advisor to the Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church, New York, NY

Speakers:
Dr. Courtney Cowart, Executive Director, Society for the Increase of the Ministry, Atlanta, GA
Dr. Erica Dollhopf, Associate Research Innovator, Lake Institute on Faith and Giving, Indianapolis, IN
The Rev. Hilary Greer, Rector, St. Andrew’s Yardley Episcopal Church; Chair, Board of Directors, Society for the Increase of Ministry (SIM), Yardley, PA
The Rev. Dr. Molly James, Interim Executive Officer, The Episcopal Church, New York, NY
Mary Kostel, Esq., Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA
Dr. Charissa Mikoski, Assistant Professor of Research, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, Hartford, CT
The Rev. Marisa Sifontes, Associate Rector, St. James’ Church, New York, NY
The Rev. Canon John Thompson-Quartey, Professor, Practice of Church Leadership; Director, Episcopal and Anglican Studies Program, Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA

Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Renew your leadership with purpose through conversation with colleagues in similar contexts.

This pre-conference offers a theologically grounded exploration of leadership, emphasizing resilience, adaptive capacity, and vocational clarity. Participants will engage with adaptive leadership theory to examine the dynamics of burnout, authority, and change. Through structured reflection and practical tools, you will cultivate a deeper understanding of leadership identity and develop strategies for fostering thriving communities in complex ministry contexts.

Speaker:
The Rev. Dr. Anne Stewart, Executive Vice President, Princeton Theological Seminary, Founding Director, Iron Sharpening Iron, Princeton, NJ

Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 10:30am

Time for individual and small group conversations among participants.

Facilitators:
The Rev. Caitlyn Keith, Associate Rector, St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Columbia, SC
The Rev. Abi Moon, Senior Associate, Trinity Church in the City of Boston, Boston, MA

Session One: Identity & Authority; Working with a Supervisor
Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Identity and Authority – What does becoming a priest change about your identity? What about your relationships? Explore the relational dynamics of self, supervisor, congregation, and family in this session, along with paradigms and pitfalls of priestly authority in and amongst a congregation and community as the new clergy on the block.

Working with a Supervisor – Wondering how to set up healthy working relationships? Want to ask better questions or form deeper connections? This session will focus on leadership, connection, and discovering best practices for developing and maintaining a strong supervisor/assistant clergy dynamic. We’ll also wade into ways to course correct when things go sideways.

Speakers:
The Rev. Samantha Smith, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waco, TX
Additional speakers coming soon!

Session Two: Designs on Time & Balance
Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 10:30am

The habits we form in our early ministry often stick with us for the rest of it. How do you know how much time to spend on sermon writing? Or pastoral care? Or office time? How do you set boundaries around personal time and interests in the midst of work that never really ends? Early on it can feel like we’re doing too much or not enough, with little structure to balance it all out. This session will explore how to think about time, rest, and renewal in ways that will see you through an entire career with endurance and fortitude.

Speakers:
The Rev. Samantha Smith, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Waco, TX
Additional speakers coming soon!

Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm

This session will be a working session on why a church should have an up-to-date personnel manual, what should be in it, and how to use it as a vital tool in your ministry.

Speakers/Facilitators:
John Crow, SPHR – Career HR Executive, Senior Warden at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco & St. David’s Episcopal Church, Austin, TX
Jim Lamm, MBA, Parish Administrator, St. David’s Episcopal Church, Austin, TX

Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 10:30am

This will be an open discussion on topics, issues, questions, challenges, and successes. The collective knowledge in the room will assist in giving advice, strategies, information, and a path forward for all in attendance.

Facilitator:
Jim Lamm, MBA, Parish Administrator, St. David’s Episcopal Church, Austin, TX

Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 10:30am

Lay leaders are crucial to the future of our congregations, with responsibilities that range from fiscal oversight and facility management to worship planning and clergy selection. This sacred work can often feel overwhelming. Just as clergy aren’t trained in finance in seminary, we sometimes expect lay leaders to arrive fully equipped to manage all aspects of a congregation—particularly when there is no full-time clergy.

This year’s Volunteer Lay Leader Pre-Conference recognizes that parish management can take many forms and that the roles and expertise evolve and change. Over two days, attendees will participate in five expert-led sessions that focus on key challenges that volunteer lay leaders face.

Some of these focus areas include:

• Budgeting and financial management
• Maintenance and care of church buildings and facilities
• Clergy transitions and best practices for congregational leadership during these times of change
• The pre-conference will conclude with a facilitated roundtable discussion, offering an opportunity to reflect and share insights.

Attendees will return home with practical knowledge and tools that will strengthen their ministries. You will leave feeling empowered, hopeful, and ready to continue your vital work in the church.

Moderator:
Karen Kraycirik, Planning Committee Member, Episcopal Parish Network, Houston, TX

Speakers:
Jenny Herrera, Partner, Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC & Partner, Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, Washington, D.C.
Clare Jordan, Vice President, CapDev, Winston-Salem, NC
Bill Keslar, CEO, Building Solutions, Dallas, TX
Lilly Skok Bunch, Senior Counsel, CapDev, Winston-Salem, NC
Christin Kinman, End User Sales Consultant (Mid-Atlantic Region), Allegion, Carmel, IN

Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 10:30am

This pre-conference is designed for lay church staff members who want to deepen their sense of vocation, strengthen their leadership, and build connections with peers across the Church. Together we’ll create a dynamic space for reflection, professional growth, and shared learning.

Our time will focus on three broad areas of leadership:

• Formation – Exploring Episcopal identity and claiming lay leadership as a vocation rooted in faith and service.
• Culture – Navigating priorities and boundaries with diverse stakeholders, and practicing tools for conflict resolution and managing difficult conversations with grace and clarity.
• Story & Practice – Learning how to craft strategic narratives and plans that foster collaboration across ministries.

Led by a team of seasoned lay leaders, this pre-conference blends structured presentations, interactive panels, and role-based breakout sessions. Participants will leave with:

• Practical tools to apply in their parish, cathedral, or institutional context.
• Fresh strategies for effective communication and collaboration.
• New language to broaden conversation and understanding of lay ministry.

A network of colleagues for ongoing support and inspiration.

Facilitators:
Wallace Benton, Associate Director, Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA
Heidi J. A. Carter, Writer/Content Creator, Kansas City, MO
Dan Hewitt, Chair, Cathedral Congregation Committee, Washington National Cathedral; Chief Communications Officer, Gearbox Entertainment, Washington, DC
Mary Kostel, Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA
Yvonne Jones Lembo, Director of Development, Episcopal Church Foundation, New York, NY
Lucas Thorpe, Chief of Staff, Church of the Heavenly Rest, New York, NY

Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 10:30am

A representative from CPG will join participants for a conversation and time for Q&A. Participants will then split into position-specific breakout groups to discuss learnings from the pre-conference and networking.

Speakers:
Laurie Kazilionis, Sr. Vice President, Benefits Relationship Management, Church Pension Group, New York, NY
Dail St. Claire, Chief Executive Officer & President, Episcopal Church Foundation, New York, NY
Paul Stephens, Vice President, Marketing & Risk Management Services, Church Insurance, New York, NY

Facilitators:
Wallace Benton, Associate Director, Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA
Heidi J. A. Carter, Writer/Content Creator, Kansas City, MO
Dan Hewitt, Chair, Cathedral Congregation Committee, Washington National Cathedral; Chief Communications Officer, Gearbox Entertainment, Washington, DC
Mary Kostel, Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA
Yvonne Jones Lembo, Director of Development, Episcopal Church Foundation, New York, NY
Lucas Thorpe, Chief of Staff, Church of the Heavenly Rest, New York, NY

Tuesday, March 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Join Nathan Kirkpatrick from Saison Consulting for a facilitated conversation. Attendees will leave knowing others in similar roles from across the Church. These connections will ensure you leave knowing who to call when a question, opportunity, or challenge arises.

Designed for Canons to the Ordinary and those in similar positions of diocesan leadership.

Facilitator:
The Rev. Nathan Kirkpatrick, Principal, Saison Consulting, Durham, NC

Wednesday, March 4 | 8:30am – 10:30am

Join Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe for a conversation exclusively for Canons to the Ordinary and those in similar roles.

Speaker:
The Most Rev. Sean Rowe, 28^th Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church, New York, NY