CONNEXT SUMMIT 2026
Beyond Belonging:
Branch Out
– Bring In –
Build Together
October 11-13, 2026
Registration Now Open!
Fear.
Division.
Isolation.
Despair.
These aren’t just words.
They aren’t just adult concerns.
These are deeply felt and harshly experienced realities our young people navigate every day.
From the deeply personal wounds of bullying to the existential terror of federal troops in our streets and at our doors, young people – children, youth, young adults, and families – are finding themselves on the outside of systems and communities that are increasingly threatening and dangerous; they are fending for their families and their own lives in very real ways.
Children, youth, and family leaders yearn to create spaces where all God’s beloved children find safety and welcome, sanctuary and respite.
We strive to create places of real belonging.
And not only for those already comfortable on the inside: We want to branch out beyond belonging to bring into the center those systematically and traditionally forced to the margins so that together, we can build a more beautiful community in which all God’s beloveds flourish.
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How can we develop more emotionally- and systemically-aware leaders, mentors, and youth, capable of more full – and joyful – welcome for children and youth whose identities place them on the margins – and increasingly in danger?
***
In the face of Christian Nationalism and other radicalizing ideologies, how do we create communities in which vulnerability, compassion, and gracious conversation are norms that shape open, compassionate, gracious children, youth, and families?
Belonging is essential.
Branch out.
Bring in.
Build a more beautiful community – together.
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
DAVID SCHERER (AGAPE*)
David Scherer (AGAPE*) will equip us to generate radical belonging through leaders ready to invest in relationships with children and youth and more emotionally-aware youth and children, who together are empowered to create communities of radical belonging.
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David Scherer (AGAPE*)
Building Intentional Inclusion
David Scherer is a performer, teacher, author, trainer, and facilitator who helps people build bridges across the “differences that make a difference”. Whether it’s performing in football stadiums around the country, or training a small group of executives, David inspires people to break down the barriers that divide them and work for justice for all people. David’s reconciliation work has taken him across the world to Bosnia, El Salvador, Haiti, and other countries. He teaches Graduate School Intercultural Competence courses, is a Qualified Administrator in the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and is also a trained facilitator with the Kaleidoscope Institute.
He has founded multiple youth leadership development programs, and in 2009 he received the “Tommy Award” for his work with young people.
Alsa & Morgan Bruno
Worship & Music Leaders (and Workshops!)
Alsa and Morgan are married actors, improvisers, and educators with 15 years of mental health and play work between them. They are passionate about using imaginative play to drive the momentum of social change and amplify strategically undervalued voices.
Alsa prides himself on spending his life as a service collaborator. Studying improv and playing with children has given him a greater imagination for seeing possibilities for collaboration where there seem to be none. Morgan has developed her skills as an all-ages, all-ability community play advocate - even getting a degree in drama therapy, in order to continue responsibly playing with sensitive material.
Independently, they’ve studied education, theater, psychology, and have organized for communities across the country. Together they aim to use the power of creativity and social investment to deepen and transform relationships through play. They produce community programming and teach expressive arts workshops for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
In community, we’ll explore these questions and more:
- How might ministries in diverse settings strengthen and enhance their ability to be a place of deep belonging for God’s diverse children?
- How might congregations develop awareness, systems, and practices adaptive to the needs of fully including children-of-all-ages with diverse needs and interests?
- Can we bring to the center those who are historically and traditionally removed to the margins – without disillusioning or isolating those historically and traditionally comfortable at the center?
- How do we – in support of parents and as a community – counteract the hypermasculinity, misogyny, christian nationalism, and other disempowering and isolating messages bombarding our young people?
Enhance your exploration through workshops such as:
- More information coming soon…
CLICK HERE FOR WORKSHOP OVERVIEWS & PRESENTER BIOS.
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COMING SOON
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
- Enjoy “hearty hors d’oeuvres”, desserts, and beverages both Sunday and Monday evenings
- And more…
REST AND RENEW
- Worship each morning and evening (w/ Holy Communion Monday eve)
- Music Artist TBD
- Facilitated contemplative prayer time
- Free time for walks, chats, NAPS, and reconnecting with the Divine, self, nature, and friends
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES SPACE
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- Walk the labyrinth
- Color mandalas
Full schedule COMING SOON.
WHEN
Sunday, October 11, 2026 – 5:00 PM CT
-to-
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 – 1:00 PM CT
Full schedule coming soon.
WHERE
Clearwater Forest Camp & Retreat Center
16595 Crooked Lake Rd
Deerwood, MN 56444
Clearwater is located NW of Mille Lacs Lake, about 6.5 miles south of Deerwood, MN
Directions on Google Maps
REGISTRATION
TIERED FEES:
- COST CONGREGATION (membership 201-499 / budget ~$150,000-350,000) = $TBD
- SPONSORED CONGREGATION (membership <200 / budget <$149,999) = $TBD
- SUPPORTIVE CONGREGATION (membership >500 / budget >$350,000) = $TBD
- Thanks to the generosity of the MN Conference UCC, up to 5 United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities students (from any affiliation) attend free of charge. United students, please register with a Presenter/Leader ticket. TBD…
- REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!!
- Scholarships are available through some judicatories; please contact your judicatory office for details.
Our Gracious Sponsors Include:
About
The ConNext Summit casts a vision for progressive, innovative, ecumenical, inspiring Christian faith formation.
The ConNext Summit’s biennial 2-day/2-night retreat-style conference creates a space to inspire Progressive Christian faith formation leaders as they reflect together, form networks, and cultivate innovative and sustainable ministries with children, youth, families and adults. Both newer and more seasoned leaders create a community in which to connect and grow!
WORKSHOP OVERVIEWS & PRESENTER BIOS
–
COMING SOON!
WORKSHOP OVERVIEWS & PRESENTER BIOS
FULL SCHEDULE
–
COMING SOON
WHY TIERED PRICING?
We recognize the disparities in funding and staffing amidst participating congregations.
COST ($TBD) – The actual cost of the summit, based on 45 paying participants, is ~$TBD. If you have access to professional development or judicatory resources please select this tier.
SPONSORED ($TBD) – If you have checked with potential sponsoring bodies and have no access to professional development or judicatory funds, please select this tier.
SUPPORTIVE ($TBD+) – We humbly invite congregations with sufficient funds to support congregations with more limited budgets. Your above-and-beyond support makes it possible for under-resourced congregations to send leaders without sacrificing elsewhere in their ministries. Thank you!!
COMMUTER ($TBD+) – Some participants will need to come and go. While this is not a preferred practice, it is the reality of life. If you are able to engage for only part of the event, please choose this option. Specific meal needs must be communicated no later than TBD.