Workshop 1, Wednesday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m.

This panel brings together voices from Episcopal dioceses engaged in the sacred work of racial reparations and Indigenous self-determination. Grounded in truth-telling and the Gospel call to justice, panelists will share how their dioceses are reckoning with legacies of land dispossession, slavery, colonial mission, and systemic harm—and how they are cultivating new frameworks for justice rooted in accountability, relationship, and repair. Together, we will reflect on what it means to be the Church in this moment: rooted in the realities of our past, and rising toward a future shaped by equity, accountability, and love.

Speakers:
The Rev. Canon Lindsey Ardrey, Canon Missioner for Diocesan Restitution and Reparations Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC
The Rev. Marisa Sifontes, Associate Rector, St. James’ Episcopal Church, New York, NY

Workshop 2, Thursday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m.

This workshop will trace the Episcopal Church’s journey toward LGBTQ+ inclusion and explore how we can continue working together to fulfill the 1976 General Convention’s call for the “full and equal claim” of lesbian and gay people. As we approach the 50th anniversary of that landmark resolution—and amid increasing violence and political opposition to the rights and dignity of sexual minorities—we will reflect on how the Church can continue to embody God’s love and welcome. Together, we’ll focus on strategies for growth as we celebrate significant milestones in the Church’s life and witness.

Speakers:
The Rev. Cynthia Black
Additional speakers coming soon!

Workshop 3, Thursday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Join a conversation about how the church can step forward and speak up in the face of growing threats to democracy and human dignity. What does it mean to be followers of Jesus in this time? How can the church provide faithful witness? What does it mean to be people both of resistance and hope? This workshop will address larger cultural and theological questions, as well as offer practical tools and insights for individual and communal action.

Speakers:
The Rev. Anne Marie Witchger, Rector, St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, New York
The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of New York
The Very Rev. Winnie Varghese, Dean, Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, New York
The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, Honorary Canon, Episcopal Diocese of New York

Workshop 1, Wednesday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m.

Generosity is not just about financial stewardship, it’s a spiritual practice that transforms individuals, congregations, and communities. Our time together will explore practical tools and strategies to inspire giving, deepen engagement, and cultivate a culture of generosity that extends beyond the offering plate. Drawing from best practices from churches that are growing (financially and numerically), participants will gain insight into the spiritual, relational, and organizational dimensions of stewardship. Together, we will move beyond fundraising tactics and learn how to invite people into the joy of generosity as a response to God’s abundance.

Speakers:
The Rev. Matt Holcombe, Rector, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Colorado Springs, CO
The Rev. Noah Van Niel, Rector, Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Norfolk, VA
The Rev. Dina van Klaveren, Canon for Stewardship & Mission, The Episcopal Dicoese of Maryland

Workshop 2, Thursday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m.

Effective stewardship today requires more than intuition—it requires insight. In this workshop, clergy and lay leaders will learn how to use data to shape stewardship strategies, deepen donor relationships, and prepare for the future of fundraising. Participants will explore how giving patterns, demographic shifts, and cultural trends can inform ministry decisions and strengthen financial sustainability. By grounding stewardship in data and faithful discernment, congregations can chart a path toward thriving generosity for years to come.

Speakers:
The Rev. Jon Feuss, Associate Rector, St. James Episcopal Church, Los Angeles, CA
Kris Kuhns, Senior Vice President, CCS Fundraising
Sarah Nolan, Director of Giving and Development, All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena, CA

Workshop 3, Thursday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Planned giving is one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools for sustaining ministry and mission. This workshop will equip clergy and lay leaders with the knowledge and confidence to introduce and grow a planned giving program in their congregation. Participants will explore how to invite members to make legacy gifts that express their faith, extend their generosity, and secure the future of the church for generations to come. With practical tools and pastoral insights, leaders will learn how to begin these sacred conversations and build a culture of lasting impact.

Speakers:
Catherine Beemer, Director of Parish Giving, St. George’s Episcopal Church Nashville, TN
Allison Elrod, Director of Stewardship, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC
David Rocchio, Director of Stewardship and Gift Planning, The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, GA

Workshop 1, Wednesday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m.

A building is not the mission of a church, but it’s hard to keep that front-of-mind when rain is pouring in from the roof. Too often, deferred building maintenance drains time and resources from congregations, and the outward-facing ministries inevitably suffer. Proactive planning for your campus’ facilities and maintenance is essential to begin viewing your property through the lens of abundance to ensure the long-term sustainability of your missional outreach. This session will focus on initiating a comprehensive master planning process, called a Phased Preservation Master Plan (PPMP). This plan breaks down every aspect of a building: plumbing, HVAC, life safety, structural issues, roof, etc. establishes current conditions, and creates a plan with costs for each phase based on the greatest need. This way the church can create a plan for raising funds and completing the work for each phase without waiting until it all can be done at once. Failing to plan is a guaranteed plan to fail.

Speakers:
Anna Nau, PhD, Architect and Senior Associate, Ford Powell Carson, San Antonio, TX
Allison Chambers, AIA, LEED, AP, Principal, Ford Powell Carson, San Antonio, TX

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

Workshop 2, Thursday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m.

Preparing the way for a project is more than just the building itself – it also requires a clear discernment process among parishioners, clergy, and the wider community. By shifting the mindset from scarcity to abundance and engaging missionally beyond the walls of the church, it is possible to then participate in the marketplace to develop a financially viable project. This session will focus on the components of a mission real estate development project, offer inspiration to begin this discernment process, and highlight successful examples.

Moderator:
Meghan Taylor-Steshyn, Senior Program Officer, Mission Real Estate Development, Trinity Church, New York, NY

Workshop 3, Thursday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Creative partnerships with aligned organizations, municipalities, and trusted advisors can enrich a project and ensure that you are not alone! Projects of varying complexities may all benefit from outside support, particularly to make a development financially viable. As the role of faith-based organizations gains wider appreciation, city and state governments, including the City of Charlotte, are actively supporting this work through grants and subsidies. This session will highlight the ways in which the City of Charlotte partners with churches – and how your city might too!

Moderator:
The Rev. Stanford Adams, Acting Rector, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Austin, TX

Workshop 1, Wednesday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m.

How do we lovingly, strategically, and faithfully create space for the next two generations of church leaders—especially in communities where long-serving Boomers are still holding on? This workshop will explore the delicate art of spiritual succession planning: what to prune, what to preserve, and how to empower emerging leaders without alienating those who’ve brought us to this new day. Inspired by research on generational estrangement in families, the Rev. Canon Alissa Newton, Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of New York, and the Rev. Kate Malin, Rector of the Church of the Heavenly Rest will explore the complex and varied reasons for this “silent cultural epidemic” and consider how our churches may be called to flip the script.

Speakers:
The Rev. Kate Malin, Rector, Church of the Heavenly Rest, New York, NY
The Rev. Canon Alissa Newton, Canon to the Ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of New York, New York, NY

Workshop 2, Thursday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m.

How do you build authentic Christian community among young adults who live in fast-moving communities, hold demanding jobs, and carry spiritual questions that don’t always fit into Sunday morning? This workshop will explore how Christ Church, Georgetown’s Young Professionals ministry has created consistent, compelling space for connection, discipleship, and leadership development. We’ll also hear how Rob Donahue’s ministry at Grace Church Cathedral has brought over 70 Citadel cadets to weekly Bible study—through presence, invitation, and purpose.

Participants will leave with:

• A framework for launching or growing young adult ministry
• Practical tools for building leadership pipelines
• Examples of wins and lessons learned
• Integration strategies for young adult leaders in parish life

Speakers:
The Rev. Nathan Huddleston, Associate Rector, Christ Church Georgetown, Washington D.C.
The Rev. Rob Donahue, Sub Dean, Grace Cathedral, Charleston, SC
The Rev. Canon Ricardo Sheppard, Canon for Discipleship, Diocese of Virginia, Richmond, VA

Workshop 3, Thursday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m.

In an era marked by rapid change and increasing complexity, lay leaders are called to think differently, act boldly, and lead with purpose. This engaging panel conversation will explore efforts that encourage lay leaders to adapt and thrive amid shifting cultural, financial, and institutional landscapes.

Through real-world examples and strategic insights, panelists will discuss:

• Problem Solving: Navigating tough budget conversations and forging innovative campus and community partnerships.
• Strategic Visioning: Reimagining outreach and mission objectives to align with evolving opportunities.
• Disaster & Crisis Planning: Building resilient leadership frameworks to respond effectively to unexpected challenges.

Participants will leave with practical strategies and renewed inspiration to lead with clarity, creativity, and compassion in today’s dynamic ministry environment.

Speakers:
The Rev. Steven King, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church & Day School, Kansas City, MO

Workshop 1, Wednesday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant idea—it’s here, shaping the way we live, work, and connect—and the Church is not immune to its impact. For many in the church, this moment is filled with both excitement and deep anxiety. Join Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, Executive Director of TryTank Experimental Lab and Chief Innovation Officer of Virginia Theological Seminary, along with other panelists, for an honest and practical conversation on what AI means for ministry. Together, we will demystify the technology and reduce fear through a clearer understanding of what it is—and what it is not and explore practical applications of AI that can support the work of clergy and lay leaders.

Speakers:
The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, Executive Director of TryTank Experimental Lab & Chief Innovation Officer of Virginia Theological Seminary

Workshop 2, Thursday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m.

Discover how StoryMakers is reshaping faith formation by weaving together creativity, play, and visual storytelling. Executive Director Melina Luna Smith will explore fresh ways to engage children, teens, and families in God’s story — sparking imagination and wonder while nurturing lasting faith.

Speakers:
Melina Smith, Executive Director, StoryMakers, New York, NY

Workshop 3, Thursday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m.

In a VUCA world, (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) how do we as lay and ordained leaders engage and plan with honesty and hope? Join us for a practical and inspiring conversation with Rachel Hatch, Chief Impact Officer of the Institute for the Future.  We will discuss institutional sustainability in light of civil and political instability, financial uncertainty, and climate unpredictability.

Speakers:
Rachel Hatch, Chief Impact Officer, Institute for the Future, Palo Alto, CA

Workshop 1, Wednesday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m.

Strong internal financial controls are essential to the health and credibility of every congregation. In this practical, hands-on session, Jenny Herrera will guide participants through the steps to evaluate, design, and strengthen parish financial systems—no matter the size or complexity of the church.

Participants will learn how to:

• Build systems that ensure accuracy and safeguard church assets
• Identify common areas of risk and create checks and balances to prevent errors or misuse
• Implement segregation of duties and clear lines of accountability
• Foster a culture of financial transparency and stewardship across staff and lay leadership

This session offers clear, actionable strategies for building resilient financial operations that strengthen trust, uphold integrity, and support faithful ministry.

Speakers:
Jenny Herrera, Partner, Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC & Partner, Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP, Washington, D.C.

Workshop 2, Thursday, March 5 at 9:00 a.m.

Join us for a session focused around education and conversation around endowment – understanding their importance and impact, best practices, governance do’s and don’ts, and fundraising around this important component of congregational life. The presentation will be led by Rebecca Lilly of Morgan Stanley (who is also a Trustee at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University) and Luke Driscoll, a partner at CCS Fundraising, the nation’s largest philanthropic solutions provider. They will also be joined by a few special guests who represent the different constituencies that play a role on fostering a successful and impactful endowment.

Speakers:
Luke G. Driscoll, Managing Director & Partner, CCS Fundraising, Washington, D.C.
Rebecca E. Lilly, QPFC, Vice President, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Greenwich, CT

Workshop 3, Thursday, March 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Financial stewardship in the Episcopal Church extends beyond good management—it is an expression of faith and responsibility. In this session, James Jordan will explore how Episcopal canons, fiduciary duties, and best practices come together to form a framework for integrity in church finance.

Designed for clergy, vestry members, and administrators, this workshop will examine:

• The canons and policies that guide parish financial oversight
• The distinct fiduciary roles of clergy and lay leaders
• Tools for budgeting, reporting, and compliance that meet both legal and ethical standards
• Ways to embed transparency and accountability into parish financial culture

Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of how to align financial management with both Episcopal polity and sound governance—ensuring that every decision reflects the mission and trust of the Church.

Speakers:
James B. Jordan CPA, CFE, CGMA, CVA, Managing Member, James B. Jordan CPA, LLC, Atlanta, GA

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