news article
2026 UMC Leadership Gathering to be held in Alberta, Canada
August 11, 2025 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The 2026 Council of Bishops (COB) Leadership Gathering is headed to Alberta, Canada from October 20–24, 2026. The inspiring gathering will take place at Knox United Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally planned for April, the event has been rescheduled to October to better accommodate The United Methodist Church’s evolving priorities and schedule.
This global gathering of bishops, church leaders, clergy, and laity will serve as a pivotal moment to reflect, dream, and act on the Church’s bold new vision.
Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president of the Council of Bishops, reflected on the purpose of the event. “This gathering is about faithful leadership for such a time as this. We are being called to reimagine the Church—not to preserve what is familiar but to fulfill God’s calling and vision for our future. We will lean into the Spirit’s leading with boldness and humility, centering Christ in all we do, so that the witness of The United Methodist Church might be renewed, relevant, and rooted in justice, love, and hope.”
The gathering will invite participants not only to address today’s challenges but also to co-create the Church of tomorrow. Bishop Ruben Saenz, co-chair of the COB Design Team and president-designate of the Council of Bishops, shared his vision. “In Calgary, we will dare to envision the church that the next generation will receive and embrace. This is our moment to listen deeply, innovate boldly, and rekindle the hope and imagination that propel us forward as one community of faith—so together, we can offer a vibrant future to all those who come after us.”
Attendees can expect an atmosphere charged with fresh energy—featuring thought-provoking keynote addresses, interactive workshops, Spirit-filled worship, and opportunities to form meaningful connections. The focus will be on breakthrough ideas, shared wisdom, and bold, Spirit-led responses to the Church’s calling in a rapidly changing world.
Stephanie Henry, co-chair of the COB Design Team, emphasized how the Leadership Gathering will differ from General Conference. “Do away with legislation and Robert’s Rules and sit with one another in relationship and conversation. I appreciate the focus on young people and laity—two of the three leaders from each Episcopal Area will be laity. I look forward to the thoughts, hopes, and dreams that will be revealed from those committed to The United Methodist Church.”
Building on the momentum of the 2020/2024 General Conference, the 2026 Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering aims to awaken hope, amplify vision, and spark a renewed movement of faith for generations to come.