October 16-18, 2026
Conference at a Glance
Event: Episcopal Lay Preaching Network Virtual Conference
Location: Online
Dates: October 16-18, 2026
Host Organizations: Episcopal Lay Preaching Network and Episcopal Preaching Foundation
Registration: https://bit.ly/LPConferenceRegistration
Who It’s For
The ELPN National Gathering serves lay preachers from across the Episcopal Church in the US and Anglican Church in Canada, and Europe. This includes current lay preachers, lay preachers in training, and other diocesan staff/clergy who support them.
What It Is
The annual gathering is an opportunity for Episcopal lay preachers to gather in community with one another for fellowship, learning and advocacy. Through keynotes, workshops, worship, preaching groups, and community events, participants will grow their confidence and skills for the task of lay preaching, and connect with others engaged in this holy work.
Conference Takeaways
- Continuing education for lay preaching
- Feedback on preaching for growth
- Connection with lay preachers across the church
Conference Offerings
- Keynote Sessions and plenary gatherings
- Workshops
- Preaching to Feedback groups
- Scroll down to see the full schedule
Featured Speakers
Friday Evening
The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth, 17th Bishop of Massachusetts
Bishop Whitworth was ordained to the priesthood in September 2010 and served as the assistant rector of St. James’s Church in West Hartford, Conn., from 2010 to 2012, and then as the canon for liturgy and the arts at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, from 2013 to 2016. She was the rector of Trinity Church in Indianapolis from 2016 until her election as bishop in May 2024. She was ordained and consecrated a bishop in October 2024 at Trinity Church in Boston.
While in the Diocese of Indianapolis, she was a General Convention deputy and a member of the Executive Council and the Committee for Canons and Constitution. She also served on the Board of Trustees of St. Richard’s Episcopal School; the Board of Directors of Trinity Haven, the first dedicated residence for LGBTQ+ youth in Indiana; and the LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organization Shelly’s Voice. She is a former member of the Governing Board of the National Association of Episcopal Schools.
Saturday Plenary
The Rev. Dr O. Wesley Allen, Professor of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology
O. Wesley Allen, Jr. is the Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas. Wes received a Ph.D. in New Testament (with a minor in Preaching) from Emory University. As an ordained United Methodist, he has served in a number of parish, campus ministry, and academic positions. In the arena of New Testament, Allen has expertise in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts. In the arena of preaching and worship, Dr. Allen has special interest in rethinking the role of preaching and liturgy week in and week out in community in a shifting, postmodern world, especially in terms of a conversational model of preaching. Wes is the author of over a dozen books, and his most recent books include Preaching and the Human Condition, Preaching in the Era of Trump, Protestant Worship: A Multisensory Introduction (an enhanced eBook available through Coksebury.com), and Preaching and the Thirty Second Commercial (with Carrie LaFerle). Dr. Allen has a critical preaching commentary on the Gospel of Mark coming out in the fall of 2026 and is currently working on a book on preaching and analogy.
Conference Schedule
Friday, October 16, 2026
| Eastern Time | Event | Pacific Time |
| 6-6:40 pm | Welcome, Orientation, and State of the ELPN | 3-3:40 pm |
| 6:40-7:25 pm | Opening Address with the Rt. Rev. Julia Whitworth | 3:40-4:25 pm |
| 7:25-7:35 pm | Break | 4:25-4:35 pm |
| 7:35-8:30 pm | Quick Connections Getting to know others attending the conference | 4:35-5:30 pm |
| 8:30-9 pm | Compline with Homily | 5:30-6 pm |
Saturday, October 17, 2026
| Eastern Time | Event | Pacific Time |
| 11-11:30 am | Morning Prayer & Announcements | 8-8:30 am |
| 11:30-1:30 | Plenary with the Rev. Dr. O. Wesley Allen and Small groups | 8:30-10:30 am |
| 1:30-2:30 pm | Break | 10:30-11:30 am |
| 2:30-3:00 pm | Preaching to Feedback Introduction | 11:30-noon |
| 3-4:30 pm | Preaching Group 1 | 12-1:30 pm |
| 4:30-4:45 pm | Break | 1:30-1:45 pm |
| 4:45-5:15 | Creative Exegesis Exercise | |
| 5:15 – 6:00 pm | Evening Worship with Sermon | 2:00 – 3:00 pm |
Sunday, October 18, 2026
| Eastern Time | Event | Pacific Time |
| 3-4 pm | Gathering and Advocacy Priorities | 12-1 pm |
| 4-5:30 pm | Preaching Group 2 (same group) | 1-2:30 pm |
| 5:30-6 pm | Closing and Blessing | 2:30-3 pm |
Registration and Membership
Registration
ELPN Member Price: $50
Non-Member Price: $75
Registration and 2027 membership fee: $110
New ELPN members who choose the combined registration and membership option will be able to access all benefits of a membership for the remainder of 2026 as well as all of 2027.
Membership
Episcopal Lay Preaching Network Membership entitles you to discount pricing. Membership is open to anyone involved with lay preaching.
Benefits include:
- Networking and idea-sharing with other ELPN members
- Unlimited access to a members-only online resource library
- Free webinars
- Discount registration fee for the annual conference
Learn more about membership here.