Clergy Conference 2026 to Strengthen Ministry Across Algoma
This May, clergy from across the Diocese of Algoma will gather in Sault Ste. Marie for Clergy Conference 2026, a time of worship, learning, fellowship, and renewal.
Held May 4–7, the conference carries forward Archbishop Anne Germond’s 2026 diocesan motto, “Rooted and Grounded in Christ.” It is a gathering designed not simply for professional development, but for spiritual deepening and shared discernment in a complex season for the Church.
“We believe deeply in lifelong learning,” Archbishop Anne says. “Creating opportunities for our clergy to gather for learning and spiritual nourishment is tremendously important to us.”
The conference will open with a Eucharist on Monday evening, May 4, at St. Luke’s Cathedral. The preacher will be The Right Reverend Dr. Susan Bell, Bishop of Niagara, who will also serve as keynote speaker.
Her keynote theme, Faithful Christian Living in Difficult Times, speaks directly into the realities facing congregations today. Archbishop Anne believes Bishop Susan’s leadership will both comfort and challenge clergy:
“As we surrender ourselves to Christ,” she reflects, “there is an invitation not to curl up and think only of ourselves, but to step up and step out into these difficult times — to see where God is at work in our communities and to join in.”
Why Clergy Conference Matters
Clergy Conference is not a Synod. It is not primarily legislative or administrative. Instead, it is an intentional space for formation and strengthening.
For Archbishop Anne, the distinction is personal and significant.
“At Synod, I chair the meeting,” she explains. “At Clergy Conference, I can truly be with the clergy — learning with them, praying with them, and simply being together.”
That relational dimension matters in a geographically vast diocese. Clergy serving in isolated or rural contexts often have limited opportunities for peer support. The Clergy Conference offers space for natural, peer-to-peer learning across generations of ministry.
“There is no hierarchy in the work of the Gospel,” Archbishop Anne says. “Every day is a day of new learning. Each clergy person brings particular gifts, insights, and wisdom to the table.”
Engaging Real Questions
In addition to keynote teaching and worship, the conference will include:
- Practical sessions on navigating difficult conversations in parish life
- An educational session on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and palliative care
- Open Space conversations shaped by clergy themselves
- Pastoral support through conference chaplaincy
- Time with Synod Office leadership for administrative guidance
The inclusion of difficult topics is intentional. The aim is not prescription, but thoughtful preparation.
“This is not about judgment,” Archbishop Anne notes regarding the MAiD session. “It is an educational opportunity — so that clergy can prayerfully consider where they sit in conscience, and how they might respond pastorally when called into tender and complex situations.”
Such preparation ultimately strengthens parish life. When clergy are equipped — spiritually, intellectually, and pastorally — congregations benefit.
A Shared Investment in Ministry
While the Clergy Conference is a gathering for clergy, its impact extends far beyond those in attendance. The preaching, pastoral care, leadership, and discernment that shape parish communities are nourished in settings like this.
“I pray for our clergy by name every morning,” says Archbishop Anne. “I pray that as they care for the souls entrusted to them, God will care for them. I pray for wisdom in their leadership, fruitfulness in their preaching and teaching, and that their pastoral presence may embody Christ’s loving, hope-filled presence in every community they serve.”
Clergy Conference 2026 is, at its heart, an expression of that same prayer: that those who serve may themselves be strengthened — rooted and grounded in Christ — for the sake of the whole Church.
The Opening Eucharist at St. Luke’s Cathedral on May 4 is open to all.
Clergy are asked to register in advance for the conference: