events
2026 Leadership Gathering
The Council of Bishops is hosting a Leadership Gathering in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from October 20-24, 2026 in place of a Special Session of General Conference. This gathering will bring together bishops, church leaders, clergy, laypersons, and key representatives from across the connectional church to discern, dream, and co‑create the future direction of The United Methodist Church.
You can also find helpful information in the UNY UMC app– a free download in the App Store, Google Play, or wherever you download your apps.
Survey
Pastor's Toolkit
Webinars
Articles
Survey
All United Methodists are invited to complete a church-wide survey that will directly shape the 2026 Leadership Gathering. Your voice will help inform how the church listens, discerns, and leads together in the years ahead. The deadline to complete the survey is February 15. It's offered in seven different languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Portugese and will take approximately 10-12 minutes to complete.
Click here to take the survey.
Pastor's Toolkit
Click the following links to download images to use on your church's website, social media platforms, bulletins, newsletters, and more.
2026 Leadership Gathering logo
Webinars
United Methodist Communications is hosting three webinars open to all United Methodists in the coming months. These webinars will focus on how the vision statement’s call to “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously” connects back to the denomination’s mission and Wesleyan theology. The webinars are free and recordings will be made available publicly. Each will be roughly an hour and half in length.
January 24, 2026 – Wesleyan Theology: Love Boldly from 10-11:30 a.m. EST
This webinar explores the foundations of Wesleyan theology and how they shape United Methodist identity today. Participants will reflect on core theological commitments, shared beliefs, and how theology informs who we are as Wesleyans and as The United Methodist Church.
February 21, 2026 – Wesleyan Mission: Serve Joyfully from 10-11:30 a.m. EST
This webinar examines Wesleyan approaches to mission, with attention to mutuality, formation, and decolonial perspectives. Participants will engage how mission is practiced in relationship, shaped by context, and grounded in a call to serve with humility and joy.
March 21, 2026 – Wesleyan Leadership: Lead Courageously from 10-11:30 a.m. EST
This webinar focuses on Wesleyan understandings of leadership and church life. Participants will explore the connection, shared leadership, and ways the church is reimagining structures and practices to support faithful and courageous leadership in a global context.
Articles
Learn about SUS-UNY participants to the Leadership Gathering (January 14, 2026)
Leadership Gathering location announced (August 11, 2025)
UMC bishops call for Leadership Gathering in place of Special Session (September 5, 2024)