Leadership Gathering

Leadership Gathering October 20-24, 2026

The Council of Bishops is hosting the Leadership Gathering at Knox United Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, October 20–24, 2026. Active bishops, the general secretaries and three leaders from each episcopal area will worship, listen and discern together about the future of The United Methodist Church.

Worship and plenary sessions stream live on this page beginning October 21.

The purpose of the Leadership Gathering is to gather hope, vision and imagination for the future of The United Methodist Church from across the connection. The Gathering does not make decisions. It offers reflection for the wider church.

Participants include all active bishops and Council of Bishops officers; three leaders from each episcopal area, selected by the bishop in consultation with the lay and clergy leadership of the area; and the general secretaries.

The week brings together keynotes, worship that awakens new possibilities and covenant group conversations in which bishops and leaders share wisdom and craft bold responses to the challenges ahead. Building on the momentum of the 2020/2024 General Conference, the Gathering calls the church to awaken hope, amplify vision and set the stage for a renewed movement of faith.

“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,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone, immediate past president of the Council of Bishops.

Livestream begins October 21

Worship, plenary sessions and covenant group reports stream here. Covenant group conversations are not streamed.
Daily schedule: see the program booklet. Times are Calgary time (Mountain Time).