From October 20–24, 2026, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church will convene a Leadership Gathering in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Coming together under the theme “Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be,” approximately 300 leaders from across the worldwide denomination will focus on prayerful discernment rather than traditional debate or voting. The gathering aims to move the church beyond a season of disaffiliations and toward a renewed vision for its future, developing recommendations to help United Methodists love boldly, serve joyfully and lead courageously. 

Participants will include bishops, clergy, lay leaders, young adults and general agency leaders representing the denomination’s diverse global connection. They will bring their experiences to conversations with leaders from across Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the United States, working together to develop recommendations that will help shape the denomination’s future. 

The gathering will also incorporate the voices and perspectives of 4 leaders from across the Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Episcopal Area, with three selected by Bishop Schwerin in consultation with the cabinets. Representing the Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Episcopal Area are Rev. Jeremiah Cottrell-Duebner, a local pastor serving Zion UMC in Bonduel and Tabor UMC in Gillett, both in Wisconsin; Rev. Violet Johnicker, Executive Director of Rockford Urban Ministries and Pastor of Table of Grace New Faith Community in Rockford; and Eugene Williams, NIC Co-Lay Leader.  

Additionally, a selection team composed of members of the Leadership Gathering planning team chose Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, NIC’s Director of Connectional Ministries, to attend as one of the 50 additional thought leaders from across the worldwide connection. 

These four representatives will bring their own visions, dreams and hopes for the future of The United Methodist Church. We spoke with two of them, Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer and Rev. Jeremiah Cottrell-Duebner, about their journeys in ministry, the perspectives they will bring to the gathering and their hopes for the church’s future. 

Rev. Jeremiah Cottrell-Duebner  

Rev. Jeremiah Cottrell-Duebner, a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin who grew up on the Oneida reservation near Green Bay, will bring his experiences as a Native American and gay pastor to the Council of Bishops’ Leadership Gathering in Calgary. Raised in a family deeply involved in Oneida United Methodist Church, he felt called to ministry in his 20s but struggled with denominational policies that restricted LGBTQ+ clergy. Following the 2024 General Conference’s removal of those restrictions, he said, “I feel that we have come to a Jesus moment, realizing that Jesus calls whoever He wants to call into the ministry.” 

Rev. Cottrell-Duebner serves on the board of directors of the United Methodist Native American International Caucus and the Wisconsin Conference’s Committee on Native American Ministries. He sees the gathering as an opportunity for leaders from diverse cultures and communities to listen to one another and discern the church’s future together. 

“For me, this gathering represents an opportunity to imagine a future United Methodist Church that is brighter, more loving, more welcoming, more inclusive, and is filled with hope,” Rev. Cottrell-Duebner said. He also looks forward to hearing young adults’ perspectives, believing their voices will help shape the church for generations to come. 

Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer 

Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, director of Connectional Ministries for the Northern Illinois Conference, brings a global perspective to the Council of Bishops’ Leadership Gathering. Born and raised in Chile, she felt God’s call to ministry at age 17. Her experience includes coordinating a youth and mission program for Latin America and the Caribbean, serving as director of youth and young adult ministry for the World Methodist Council, experience as a District Superintendent, and member of multiple organizations across the denomination. 

Rev. Grandon-Mayer is most looking forward to building relationships, listening to diverse perspectives and connecting with United Methodists from around the world. She hopes the gathering will help participants envision the church they want to become for future generations and discern where God is leading. She holds the gathering and its participants in prayer, particularly those facing visa challenges and other obstacles to attending.   

“Despite our different backgrounds and contexts, I believe participants share a common commitment: a love for the church and a belief that God is not finished with it,” Rev. Grandon-Mayer shared.  “I am looking forward to what God will do with us, through us and among us.”  

Participants have prepared for their time in Calgary through virtual meetings, webinars, reading materials from the bishops and planning team, and assignments to guide conversations within their covenant groups. Each participant has been assigned to one of five groups focused on discipleship, leadership, impact, stewardship and accountability. The Northern Illinois-Wisconsin representatives will serve in four groups: Rev. Cottrell-Duebner in leadership, Rev. Grandon-Mayer in accountability, Rev. Johnicker in impact, and Mr. Williams in leadership. 

Although attendance is by invitation, United Methodists everywhere can engage with the gathering through prayer and online resources. The Council of Bishops has shared weekly prayers and devotions, while podcasts and books curated by Cokesbury offer opportunities to explore topics related to the gathering. Worship services will also be livestreamed, allowing people around the world to participate in worship and prayer alongside those in Calgary. Visit the Leadership Gathering webpage to access resources and learn more about the gathering’s vision for the future of The United Methodist Church.