Inspiring Workshops Offer Narrative of Hope for 2027 Annual Gathering

From strategic planning to storytelling for justice, from self-care to using artificial intelligence wisely, the workshops at the 2027 Annual Gathering contain something for everyone. This year’s event, “To the Stars Through Difficulties,” takes place March 16-18, 2027, at the DoubleTree by Hilton-Houston Greenway, and its workshops promise to be informative, motivational, and meaningful.

The 89th Annual Gathering features three sessions of workshops across Wednesday, March 17. Attendees choose from four offerings during each workshop session.

“The 2027 workshop presenters represent a number of CHHSM member organizations who will share best practices and insights from their ministries, and also a significant number of CHHSM partners,” said Matt Bishop, vice president of CHHSM. “The workshops we have planned really highlight the power of ministry through collaboration among CHHSM members and partners.”

Workshop Session 1

Mission Control for Your Money: Faithful Lending and Values-Based Investing
Led by Kimberly Wood, Maria Coyne, Rebecca Perera, and Tami Marinella of the UCC Cornerstone Fund; and Matt Wagner and Stacey Pettice of United Church Funds

This joint workshop will explore how faith-based organizations can grow capital and invest in line with their values. UCC Cornerstone Fund will highlight successful partnerships with CHHSM organizations and show how mission-aligned lending and investment tools can fund strategic initiatives and sustain ministries. United Church Funds will explore the various tools available to values-based investors, as well as what lies ahead for faith-based institutions.

From Service to Justice: The Power of Storytelling
Led by Rushad Thomas and Michael Neuroth, UCC Office of Public Policy

This interactive session will equip UCC CHHSM leaders to translate their ministries’ frontline experience into faithful, effective public advocacy alongside people most affected by inequities. Participants will explore how to identify policy priorities, craft compelling messages, build relationships with lawmakers, and mobilize congregations and communities to advocate for our shared priorities.

Think Before You Click: Building a Stronger Defense Against Phishing
Led by Michelle Roseman, EveryAge

This workshop will draw on EveryAge’s experience with phishing simulations, staff education, and compliance monitoring to explore how a single phishing email can disrupt operations, compromise sensitive information, and impact trust within a mission-driven organization. It also will provide practical strategies and real-world lessons applicable to organizations of all sizes. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to enhance cybersecurity awareness, support compliance efforts, and foster a culture of vigilance and accountability.

Burnout is Not Person Failure
Led by the Rev. Molly Carlson, UCC South Central Conference

Burnout is often framed as an individual problem requiring better self-care or greater resilience. But what if burnout is actually a signal of systemic imbalance? This workshop invites participants to reimagine burnout through the lens of healthy ecosystems and explore practices that cultivate sustainable leadership, resilient organizations, and communities that sustain both their mission and the people who carry it.

Workshop Session 2

Houston, We Need Capacity: Using AI to Advance Mission in Challenging Times
Led by Tyler Hoffman, National Benevolent Association, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

For faith-based nonprofits, AI raises real questions about data privacy, bias, job loss, environmental impact, and whether it fits our values at all. At the same time, mission-driven organizations are being asked to meet growing needs with shrinking resources. This session offers an honest, hands-on look at how AI and workflow automation can help stretched teams increase capacity in difficult times, including how to choose the right AI platform and more. Participants will leave with ready-to-use prompts, steps for building a shared prompt library, and a framework for forming an AI governance body, so they can move forward in a way that is thoughtful, practical, and mission-aligned.

Houston, We Have a Plan: Strategic Planning as Faithful Stewardship
Led by Nicole Pretre, Cedar Community

Every CHHSM agency has sat through a strategic planning retreat. Very few have a repeatable framework for making the plan behavioral rather than ceremonial. In this interactive session, attendees won’t just listen: they’ll map their own organization’s horizons, run a real scenario through a live Mission Control “Go/No-Go” poll, and sort their own initiatives into the growth framework. They will reframe strategic planning as an act of stewardship and articulate what that shift changes about board and staff decision-making. They’ll also leave with a one-page tool they can put in front of their own board within the month.

The Stories Behind the Story: Embracing Residents in Affordable Housing
Led by Alina Serban and Darea Seifer, Embrace Living Communities

Affordable housing is a foundation for stability, dignity, connection, and hope. In this interactive presentation, the speakers will explore what happens when storytelling, supportive services, affordable housing, and faith-based community engagement come together. The presenters will invite participants to see affordable housing residents not simply through the lens of need, but as neighbors with strengths, aspirations, histories, and gifts to share. Participants will learn how to craft a story, how to wrap services around residents’ needs, and how to identify opportunities to turn stories into action.

Holding Stardust: Perspectives and Strategies for Suicide Prevention
Led by the Rev. Elyse Berry, CHHSM

This workshop aims to first honor what it means to engage in the topic of suicide prevention using ritual and grounding. Then, participants will explore suicide prevention frameworks, common beliefs/myths, stigma, responses, and healthy boundaries. The workshop also will provide additional resources for mental health and emergency responses.

Workshop Session 3

Repairers of the Breach: The Courage to Notice, the Wisdom to Reflect, and the Art of Showing Up
Led by the Rev. Gina Harvey and Dr. Teri Haddad, Phoebe Ministries

Grounded in Isaiah 58’s call to become “repairers of the breech,” this experiential workshop explores three practices for compassionate leadership and care: Notice. Reflect. Respond. Dr. Teri Haddad and Rev. Gina Harvey will guide participants in strengthening skills for noticing suffering, reflecting on what is happening within us and our communities, and responding in creative, life-affirming ways and will include clips from Haddad’s film, Close to Home: Human Trafficking, The Survivor Story.

From Fundraiser to Fundraising Leader: Lessons from Decades of Building Donor Relationships, Teams, and Revenue
Led by Sherry Gerke, Every Child’s Hope

This workshop explores the transition from fundraiser to fundraising leaders. Topics include developing high-performing teams, cultivating a culture of philanthropy, engaging boards and executive leadership, and creating sustainable fundraising success. The session provides practical leadership strategies that help professionals expand their influence, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and build a legacy beyond individual fundraising results.

It’s Our Journey: What the Camino de Santiago Taught us about Living with Dementia
Led by Michelle Daniel, The Eden Alternative, and Julie Moore, Dementia Action Network

“Life is a journey.” But after walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, the presenters came to appreciate that journeys are not defined only by the miles we travel; they are shaped by the people beside us, the environments we create, and the way we choose to see one another. After participating in Walking the Talk for Dementia alongside researchers, physicians, care partners, advocates, professionals, family members, and people living with dementia, they realized something profound: the Camino and the journey with dementia have more in common than they ever expected.

Because of Ministry … Caregivers Require a Full Well to Restore and Heal Others
Led by Paul Ramsey, UCC Pension Boards

Caregiving is a sacred calling; yet caregivers need support, opportunities for self-renewal, and resources. They must nurture their own wellbeing by establishing healthy boundaries, practicing self-care, and accessing adequate resources that support their overall wellbeing. The workshop explores how practices of renewal, stewardship, resilience, and community support sustain caregivers for a lifelong service.

Worship, Keynotes, and More

In addition to the workshops, the 2027 Annual Gathering includes meaningful worship, two powerful, inspirational keynote addresses, and much more. The evening worship service March 17 will include the consecration of this year’s Nollau Leadership Institute class as Diakonal Ministers. 

Early bird registration currently is open, as are sponsorship opportunities.

“The workshops, worship, and keynotes from the 2027 Annual Gathering will create an inspiring three days for attendees to the Annual Gathering,” said Jamar Doyle, president and CEO of CHHSM. “We look forward to gathering together again, and I relish the opportunities to share our stories and ministries as we navigate current difficulties and, together, build a just, caring, compassionate, and equitable future for all.”