Annual Conference registration opens March 4, special events will welcome attendees to Fort Wayne and encourage local participation

Special this year

A special discount is offered for congregations that have not been represented at Annual Conference since 2019. The Program and Arrangements Committee is providing this registration discount for in-person attendees (delegates and nondelegates). The discount will only apply to advance registration for in-person attendance at the full Conference. It will not apply to onsite registration. To take advantage of this discount, contact your district office for more information.

Non-delegates – $75 for registration (+ software fee and any other purchases)
Delegates – $150 for registration (+ software fee and any other purchases)

Attendance for the virtual portions of the Conference are offered at no charge this year, thanks to generous contributions from Living Stream Church of the Brethren and Pacific Northwest District. This gives people who cannot attend in-person the opportunity to engage in business, a number of Equipping Sessions, and the Wednesday evening concert featuring Brethren musicians—all virtually. Those wishing to participate virtually still need to register to gain access to the streaming platform. Virtual attendees are encouraged to make a donation to the ministry of Annual Conference as an expression of appreciation. Donations can be made at www.brethren.org/giveAC. Donations earmarked for “webcasting” will be used to underwrite expenses related to streaming in 2027.

Local Church of the Brethren members and friends in the Fort Wayne area are encouraged to register for at least one day of the Conference. It is unusual for Annual Conference to be held in an area where there are several Church of the Brethren congregations in the immediate vicinity. While we hope all Brethren will choose to attend the full Conference, if schedules will not allow this, local Brethren are encouraged to register and participate for just one day. Special activities are planned for both Sunday, June 28, and Tuesday, June 30.

Conference usually begins with evening worship on the opening day but this year activities will begin in the afternoon on Sunday, June 28, starting at 12 noon (Eastern time) when the exhibit area opens. Equipping sessions are scheduled for two slots: 1-2 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m. on topics including Brethren practices for changing times, building financial sustainability for your church, responding to trauma, ministry training options, how to pay your pastor, and lessons for the church from Bethany Seminary’s success. A ticketed opening dinner is scheduled for 5 p.m. where attendees can reconnect with old friends and make new friends. This will be followed by worship at 6:45 p.m. Following worship, attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibit area to meet and greet exhibitors and enjoy ice cream sponsored by Eder Financial.

“Imagine! A Morning of Sparking, Stirring, and Serving” is planned for Tuesday, June 30, with a keynote address by Angelo Manté, followed by Bible studies, educational Equipping Sessions, meaningful service projects benefiting the Fort Wayne community, and intentional networking opportunities. Manté will share insights from his work in Fort Wayne, where his nonprofit ALIVE Community Outreach focuses on restorative peacemaking, nonviolent education for youth, and support for survivors of violence. We’re excited to invite you to take part in this special opportunity!

A concert after worship on Wednesday evening, July 1, is hosted by the Program and Arrangements Committee featuring Church of the Brethren musicians including Rhonda and Greg Baker, Cody and Erin Flory Robertson, and Leah Hileman.

A Welcome Meal will be offered on Sunday, June 28, beginning at 5 p.m. (Eastern time) in the Atrium of the Hilton Hotel for a fee. Come meet, greet, and eat with other Conferencegoers. Purchase your meal ticket in advance when you register. Questions posted on the tables will encourage conversation and fellowship. Come join us!

New Attendee Orientation is encouraged for delegates and nondelegates who have never attended or have not recently attended Annual Conference. The orientation will be held on Sunday, June 28, at 3:30 p.m. (Eastern time) in the convention center room Anthony Wayne A.

Registration information

Registration for in-person attendance:

Registration opens online for both delegates and nondelegates at 12 noon (central time) on Wednesday, March 4, at www.brethren.org/ac

Through June 7, the advance delegate registration fee is $350 per delegate. The onsite fee for registering delegates in Fort Wayne will be $425. Don’t wait!

Through June 7, the advance nondelegate registration fee is $175. The onsite fee for registering nondelegates in Fort Wayne will be $210. The daily fee for adults, both in advance and onsite, is $55.

Young adults from post-high school to age 21 register for a discounted fee of $50 for the full Conference or $20 daily.

Current high schoolers and all younger children register for free, but must be registered.

We are offering a special discount for in-person attendees (delegates and nondelegates) from congregations who have not been represented at Annual Conference in person since 2019. To take advantage of this discount, contact your district office for more information.

Registration for virtual attendance:

Thanks to generous contributions from Living Stream Church of the Brethren and Pacific Northwest District, we are able to offer attendance for the virtual portions of the Conference at no charge for 2026. This gives you the opportunity to engage in business, participate in a number of Equipping Sessions, and enjoy the Wednesday evening concert featuring Brethren musicians—all virtually.

Based on a three-year average of expenses and the number of registrants for the virtual option, the cost is approximately $330 per virtual registrant. This just includes the costs directly associated with streaming; it does not include any costs related to the full ministry of Annual Conference (programing, meeting space rental, audio-visual services, staffing, etc.).

Virtual attendees are encouraged to make a donation to the ministry of Annual Conference as an expression of appreciation. Donations can be made at www.brethren.org/giveAC. All donations earmarked to support Annual Conference webcasting in 2026 will be placed in a designated fund to underwrite expenses related to the virtual option in 2027. Virtual participants also will have an opportunity to support the full ministry of Annual Conference through two offerings during the 2026 Conference.

All virtual participants must register between March 4 through June 23. For more information go to www.brethren.org/ac2026/registration and select “Virtual Non-Delegate Registration.”

Registering a delegate:

Congregations may register their delegates using online registration beginning on Wednesday, March 4, at 12 noon (central time) at www.brethren.org/ac (click on the “Registration” button and then choose “Delegate Registration”). Payment may be made by credit card or check. Each delegate’s complete name, address, email, and phone number are required. For assistance, call the Annual Conference office and we will be happy to answer your questions.

Delegate registration fees provide each delegate with a Conference booklet, the business materials packet, a designated delegate name tag, seating at the delegate tables during business sessions, and a 2026 Annual Conference minutes book mailed to the congregation.

Delegates must be full members of the Church of the Brethren. The number of delegates for each congregation is based on the membership statistics as reported in the 2024 Church of the Brethren Yearbook. Congregations of up to 200 members may have 1 delegate. Congregations of 201 to 400 members may have 2 delegates. Congregations of 401 to 600 members may have 3 delegates.

For more information about how to use the registration site go to www.brethren.org/ac2026 then click “Registration” and then click “A Guide to Registering Online for Annual Conference.”

Conference hotels

There are three Conference hotel options this year:

• The Hilton Fort Wayne at 1020 S. Calhoun St. is seamlessly connected to the convention center on two floors. Our Annual Conference Room Rate* is $128 plus tax and fees (15 percent) totaling $147.20 per night. Complimentary airport shuttle to and from Fort Wayne International Airport.
• The Hampton Inn & Suites at 223 W. Jefferson Blvd. is directly across the street from the front of the convention center. Our Annual Conference Room Rate* is $135 plus tax and fees (15 percent) totaling $155.25 per night. Rate includes a complimentary hot breakfast.
• The Courtyard by Marriott at 1150 S. Harrison St. is across the street from the convention center and also connected by two skywalks. Our Annual Conference Room Rate* is $132 plus tax and fees (15 percent) totaling $151.80 per night.

A discounted daily parking fee of $8 has been negotiated for Church of the Brethren guests in each hotel garage. In-room wi-fi is complimentary for all hotel guests.

*A link to make hotel reservations will be provided to attendees after they complete their registration for the Conference. The above room rates are only accessible through the Annual Conference registration process, not by contacting the hotel directly. Find more information at www.brethren.org/ac2026/hotels

Please check www.brethren.org/ac2026 regularly for more information including leadership, themes, activities, schedules, catered meals and food options, meetings and events, webcasting instructions, and much more. New information is added regularly, so check back often!

— The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference office staff are Rhonda Pittman Gingrich, Conference director, and Debbie Noffsinger, Conference assistant.

#cobac26

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