CHHSM Members and Partners Step Up to Help Sponsor The Gathering

The Gathering: Many Gifts, One Story is now just days away, and the excitement is building for the 500 people who will be in attendance at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis March 24-26, 2026. 

The event presents a unique opportunity for participants to network with ecumenical colleagues from Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker, and United Church of Christ health and human service agencies.

Sponsors Help Provide Meaningful Experience

Among the many sponsors supporting The Gathering are good friends and partners CHHSM.

One of the Premium Sponsors is Ziegler, longtime platinum sponsor of CHHSM’s events. Ziegler is a privately held investment bank, capital markets and proprietary investments firm based in Chicago. 

Ziegler specializes in the healthcare, senior living, and education sectors, among others. One of its goals is to help generate a positive impact on the communities it serves.

The Strategic Sponsors of The Gathering include LCS Group Purchasing, the group purchasing agent behind the CHHSM Store. LCS Group Purchasing connects organizations to hundreds of carefully vetted vendors in plant operations, food service, medical supplies, therapy, pharmacy, and more. Through its extensive network of vendor partners, LCS Group Purchasing provides value-added programs to thousands of organizations nationwide, helping them improve their operations with measurable results.

The UCC’s Financial Ministries, long-time CHHSM partner and friend, is one of The Gathering’s Supporting Sponsors. 

Financial Ministries includes the UCC’s Church Building & Loan Fund, Cornerstone Fund, Insurance Board, Pension Boards, and United Church Funds.

Also helping to sponsor The Gathering are two CHHSM members.

One sponsor is CHHSM member United Church Homes (UCH), based in Marion, Ohio. UCH is a nationwide provider of healthcare and older adult services aimed at transforming aging by building a culture of community wholeness, and peace.

Another event sponsor is CHHSM member Hoyleton Youth and Family Services.

Hoyleton is a faith-based, trauma-informed social services agency based in Fairview Heights, Ill., that is one of Southern Illinois’ leaders in providing emotional and mental health services for every stage of youth and family development.

Services, Keynotes, Workshops, and More Await Attendees

The Gathering will have short worship services March 24 and 25 at 8:30 a.m., and a closing worship March 26 at 11:15 a.m. The services will include prayer, a scripture reading, a time for reflection and conversation, and a hymn. An offering will be taken to benefit a local faith-based charity. 

Unique to The Gathering, there will be a silent reflection space open to all attendees during the event. That space will be the location of a Friends (Quaker) worship service on Wednesday to which all are invited. The Friends service will be a silent worship experience that will allow attendees to reflect on the conference scripture and theme. 

Additionally, CHHSM’s recent Nollau Leadership Institute graduates will be consecrated as diakonal ministers during a special service Wednesday evening, March 25, at 5 p.m. at St. Peter’s UCC in nearby Carmel, Ind. A reception will follow at the church. The Rev. Chad Abbott, conference minister of the UCC’s Indiana-Kentucky Conference, will preach.

Each day of The Gathering will include an inspirational keynote address to the full plenary.

• Tuesday, March 24 (12-1:30 p.m.), The Table of Curiosity: Exploring Our Cultures and Callings; Speaker: Nikki Rineer, senior consultant, MHS Consulting
• Wednesday, March 25 (8:30-10 a.m.), Hope for Years to Come: Faith Calling Us Forward Together; Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, president and CEO, Children’s Defense Fund.
• Wednesday, March 25 (8:30-10 a.m.), Prior to Wilson’s address, Lisa Carr, director of government relations for Service Coordination, Inc., will speak briefly about key trends in health and human services. Prior to coming to her present position, Carr spent several years in various health and human service positions for the federal government. Until July 2025, she served as senior public health advisor for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
• Thursday, March 26 (10:30-11:30 a.m.), Purpose as a Source of Renewal: Lifting the Human Spirit in Work and Services; Speaker: Stan Phelps, best-selling author, global speaking fellow, virtual master presenter

In addition to the keynote addresses, 35 workshops will take place across the three days, including eight workshop leaders CHHSM participants will find familiar. In addition, some of the workshops will be led by staff from all five health and human service organizations.  

There are five workshop topic tracks offered: Holistic Care and Community, Governance and Strategic Planning, Marketing and Fundraising, Workforce Excellence and Leadership, and Operations and Financial Stewardship.

Through the work of our ecumenical partners, many of this year’s workshops are approved for various continuing education credits for eligible participants. CE credits will be available for Nursing Home Administrators (NAB), Mental Health Providers (NBCC), Social Workers (ASWB), and Fundraising Professionals (CFRE). Attendees will receive guidance on self-reporting credits to applicable credentialing and licensing bodies, where required.

Download the App to Connect

The Gathering app will help participants have a more productive experience. The app is a must-have for schedule updates and news, and for arranging meet ups with friends and colleagues. Through the app, Gathering attendees can:

• Navigate the event agenda and logistics, even without Wi-Fi or data. Access useful information like ridesharing and local attractions through the Community Board.
• Network effectively. Plan whom to meet by exploring attendee profiles and sending out messages.
• Participate in event activities through session likes, comments, ratings, live polling, tweeting, and more.

“The Gathering is right around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to gather with both old friends and new colleagues,” said Jamar Doyle, president and CEO of CHHSM. “There will be so many opportunities to engage with others, learn from experts, and be in community with like-minded people from across our health and human service ministries. Attendees will have a life-changing experience.”