Top 5 Reasons to Attend AC 2026
Are you new to the RMC and the whole idea of Annual Celebration? Or, maybe it’s just been a few years since you were able to attend. Either way, here are five reasons why you should absolutely join us in Provo this June for Annual Celebration 2026:
Reason #5: Connect with people like you!
If you’re a member of a UCC church in Utah, Colorado, or Wyoming, that means you’re part of the Rocky Mountain Conference, a diverse network of UCC ministries and congregations that nurture, support, and resource one another. Whether your congregation is part of a rural community in Wyoming, a city in Utah, or a former mining boomtown in Colorado, your ministry is supporting your neighbors in unique ways, and you have important insights and experiences to share. Though our communities may differ, we have so much to offer one another. As a Conference, we get to enjoy the privilege of walking beside one another in our respective ministry paths, sharing inspiration, and collaborating together. The ongoing process of supporting each other’s work and ministry begins by getting to know one another, so come to Annual Celebration and get to know your sibling across the RMC.
Reason #4: Get inspired by RMC youth.
Did you know that RMC youth are doing amazing things in their local churches and communities? This year at Annual Celebration, we will be hearing from Conference teens who are currently participating in the RMC’s Youth Leadership Cohort. This program helps teens implement a unique project that they want to lead within their congregations. These projects might include new and creative approaches to liturgy, community building, or advocacy strategies. Come to Annual Celebration so that you can hear our youth’s visions for the future of the local church. Seriously, I dare you not to feel inspired by their gumption and initiative. Check out this blog post to learn more about their projects.
Reason #3: Learn from keynote speakers.
At last year’s Annual Celebration, we were thrilled to welcome Rev. Cameron Trimble, who spoke about how churches can discern their specific Pathway for ministry in the Age of Collapse. She described how churches can be more politically engaged, whether it’s through activism, providing safe spaces for vulnerable community members, serving as a community connection hub, or helping envision a new positive future. (And, if you want a refresher on Cameron’s talk, please check out this PDF.) At Annual Celebration 2026, your planning committee is putting together an exciting slate of guest speakers. We can’t release the names quite yet, but stay tuned! You won’t want to miss this exciting, inspiring lineup.
Reason #2: Share your skills and resources with one another.
At Annual Celebration 2025, we did something new: workshops led by you, the leaders of the local church! We put out the call for you to share your skills and insights with each other, and you led amazing workshops about all kinds of timely topics, including: how to incorporate the Sacred Feminine into liturgy; how to use the Community of Practice model to support racial and environmental justice; partnering with local organizations to combat food insecurity; nonviolent resistance strategies; and much more. So many of last year’s attendees had such positive things to say about these workshops, so we’re bringing them back for 2026. If you’d like to lead a workshop at Annual Celebration, please fill out the application form by March 23rd.
Reason #1: Oasis in the Desert
We are living in turbulent, unpredictable times in which attacks on our democratic freedoms are on the rise. We’ve seen a significant increase in oppressive Christian nationalism, acts of terrorism directed against our immigrant neighbors, the assassination of an elected representative in Minnesota, legislation that threatens the LGBTQ+ community, and an overall rise in authoritarianism. As our country becomes increasingly dangerous for so many vulnerable communities, the church must be an oasis of safety and healing. Let us not be daunted by this work or by these high stakes. Instead, let us comfort, strengthen, and equip one another to be a courageous church alive with the love of God. Because this calling is so urgent, our theme for Annual Celebration 2026 is Oasis in the Desert. So many of you are already serving as the oasis in your communities. Come share your insights and inspirations with your siblings, and let us support one another as we all aspire to be an oasis of life-giving, living water to those most in need.
Stay tuned! Registration for AC 2026 will open later in March. For event updates and to learn more about how you can volunteer, please visit our official Annual Celebration 2026 page. See you in June!
