Young Adult Conference 2026: Identity in community

By Anna Schweitzer

The tradition of young adults gathering for a time of fellowship, worship, and growing in faith together at Young Adult Conference continues! Camp Blue Diamond near Petersburg, Pa., hosted the event on May 22-24, drawing 44 attendees from all over the US. The theme “Identity in Community,” based on Romans 12:4-5, anchored the weekend.

Preachers Cristal Herrera, Doug Diamond, Naomi Kraenbring, and Nolan McBride focused on different aspects of this idea, such as how our different identities work together to create a community. Brothers Josh and Kevin Adler led music. David Steele, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, and Dennis Beckner, Annual Conference moderator-elect, were also in attendance.

Besides thought-provoking worship services, participants had discussions in small groups, played and chatted during recreation time, took part in workshops, and ate each meal together. On Saturday night, participants made fleece blankets to be given to hospitalized children through Project Linus.

My favorite part was getting to reconnect with friends I’ve met at previous events, as well as connecting with people I have not met before. I am glad for this chance to sing classic Brethren hymns during joyful noise, and play games late into the night.

Young Adult Conference will be held next year at Inspiration Hills Camp near Burbank, Ohio. I hope you can make it!

— Anna Schweitzer is serving with the Church of the Brethren’s Youth and Young Adult Ministries as assistant coordinator of the 2026 National Youth Conference.

Find an online photo album with pictures by Becky Ullom Naugle, Rachel Witkovsky, and Rachel Johnson, at https://churchofthebrethren.smugmug.com/Young-Adult-Conference-2026