Early Bird Registration Opens for CHHSM’s 87th Annual Gathering

Registration for CHHSM’s 87th Annual Gathering, which takes place March 11-13, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge in Massachusetts, is now open. The hotel sports views of the Boston skyline and the Charles River, and is close to Harvard University, MIT, and many shopping and eating venues.

The theme of this year’s Annual Gathering is “Into the Deep: Casting Nets of Justice.” It calls CHHSM leaders — whether in affordable housing, health care, older adult ministries, or community service ministries — to take bold action and approach their work with courage, collaboration, and a dedication to creating a more just and compassionate world.

Based on the focus scripture, Luke 5:4 — “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch” — the theme will be woven throughout the gathering through worship services, keynote addresses, and workshops.

As in the past, early bird registration offers attendees a reduced rate for the Annual Gathering, and is $545. The deadline for early bird registration is Jan. 31. Following the early bird special, registration is $595. Scholarships for registration and/or the hotel also are being offered to encourage first-time attendees and make it possible for people from small organizations to attend. The scholarships are provided thanks to the generous platinum sponsorship of the UCC’s regional Southern New England Conference, host conference of the gathering. Requests for a scholarship will be considered in the order they are received until funds are committed.

Workshops for Every Interest

As in past Annual Gatherings, workshops will be offered on topics ranging from finance and human resources to chaplains, effective communication, and more. Presenters include several CHHSM members offering best practice solutions, as well as health and human services and ministry partners.

March 12, 10:45 a.m.-12 p.m.: Finance, HR Staff Development, and Advocacy

• Deepening Social Impact through Investing: How money serves the faith-based community, presented by Matt Wagner (vice president, institutional relationships for United Church Funds), the Rev. Dr. Courtney Stange-Tregear (chief relationship officer, Cornerstone Fund), Maria C. Coyne (president and CEO, Cornerstone Fund). The workshop will explore ways organizations can deepen their social impact and live out their organization’s values through the ways they invest. From screening portfolios to corporate engagement to impact investing, attendees will learn about the tools available to organizations for values-aligned investing strategies. 
• Where Do We Go from Here: Using Movement Strategies and Innovation to Deepen Our Questions and Practices for Justice Advocacy, presented by Velda Love (UCC Join the Movement lead, and minister of racial justice, education for faithful action ministries),  Sharon Fennema (UCC Join the Movement curator), and Phiwa Langeni, (UCC ambassador for innovation and engagement, Center for Analytics, Research Development, and Data [CARDD]). Throughout history, movements toward justice have always been formed around deep questions that gave rise to innovative strategies and practices, many of which continue to transform our world. What can we learn from the questions and strategies of the movements across history in order to advocate for justice in our own professional contexts in innovative ways? In this workshop we explore the questions that motivate us to seek justice in our own contexts and engage in practices that can help us dream, imagine, and create new (im)possibilities toward healing, wholeness, and a more just world.
• What Goes Up Must Come Down, presented by Angel Luis Rivera-Acosta (community engagement senior coordinator, justice initiatives, National Benevolent Association, Christian Church [Disciples of Christ]). This workshop seeks to dig deep into the roots of liberal civil rights from a contextual and critical lens and to challenge those foundations for a liberating advocacy action for churches and non-profit organizations. In addition, the workshop will offer a practical methodology for confronting systemic injustice.

March 12, 3:15 -4:30 p.m.: Advocacy, Programs, and Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care

• Building a Net for Justice, presented by Dietra Wise Baker (assistant professor of community leadership and director of Walker Leadership Institute, Eden Theological Seminary). How do we deepen service work models to include advocacy and movement work? In this workshop, participants will be introduced to justice as spiritual practice. Examining the root causes of their social service work and interacting with basic faith based organizing skills for deeper community engagement and impact. Participants will leave the workshop with a draft community engagement plan. 
• Value Based Arrangements, presented by the Rev. Dr. Ken Daniel (CEO, United Church Homes). Some Medicaid Managed Care insurers are turning toward nonprofit organizations to participate in value based arrangements to manage the needs of vulnerable populations like dual eligibles, foster care youth, moms and babies. Learn about one such partnership in Ohio with United Church Homes.
• Our Elders, Our Teachers: A Liberation Model for CPE in Senior Care, presented by the Rev. Leah Knox (director of pastoral care services at Phoebe Ministries and ACPE-certified candidate). Phoebe Ministries is one of only a handful of ACPE (Association of Clinical Pastoral Education) accredited programs that is centered in senior care. Knox will discuss Phoebe’s experiences.

March 13, 9-10:15 a.m.: Finance, Advocacy, and Communications/Marketing

• Justice and Compassion for Our Caregivers, a panel discussion led by Rev. Dr. Paul Ramsey, (director of church relations and philanthropy, the Pension Boards UCC). Representing CHHSM’s commitment to justice and compassion, this workshop will explore the essential role of employee financial security and wellness in our organizations. With insights from HR and financial leaders, Ramsey will lead a discussion about strategies for balancing organizational sustainability with the needs of our dedicated employees. Discover how nurturing the workforce is integral to serving the individuals in our care, reinforcing our community’s strength and resilience.
• Faithful Disruptions: Leveraging Your Faith for Change in Congress and the White House (Abigail Cipparone, domestic policy advocate, UCC Public Policy office, Washington, D.C.). This workshop will outline the federal legislative landscape for policy change in the area of healthcare, housing, and human services, and provide best practices on how practitioners and stakeholders can use their faith values to impact the Administration and Congress.
• Storytelling: Smart Techniques, presented by Kelly Sigmon (director of digital engagement, EveryAge). Everyone has a story, and telling those stories is not only a way to give value to a life but also to create a sense of community when we see ourselves in another’s challenges, journeys, and victories over both small and large obstacles. This workshop will share tips for identifying opportunities for powerful storytelling, using those stories across a variety of formats to reach people where they are, and drawing out the unique character of an organization through the people who live and work there.

Other highlights of this year’s Annual Gathering include:

• March 11 opening worship leader the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, UCC general minister and president.
• Opening keynote March 11 from Jonathan A. King, Ph.D., professor emeritus of molecular biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and board co-chair of Massachusetts Peace Action (MAPA).
• Afternoon Plenary Panel Keynote March 12 led by platinum presenting sponsor Ziegler, a capital investments advisory firm specializing in nonprofits.
• Worship leader for Wednesday evening the Rev. Darrell Goodwin, conference minister for the UCC’s Southern New England Conference. During this service, the current Nollau Leadership Institute class will be consecrated as diakonal ministers.
• Closing keynote March 13 by the Rev. Dr. Calvon Jones, assistant minister and director of the Memorial Church of Harvard University in Cambridge.
• Affinity Group meetings and plenty of time to reunite with friends, old and new.
• The Exhibit Hall with information from colleagues and partners. 
• Nollau class capstone projects, with participants on hand to answer questions.

“Register soon for this year’s Annual Gathering,” said Jamar Doyle, president and CEO of CHHSM. “This year’s workshops, worship experiences, and keynotes will create an inspiring three days for all attendees. I look forward to gathering, and I relish the opportunities to share our stories and ministries as, together, we plunge ‘Into the Deep’ in our efforts to create a more compassionate, caring, equitable, and just world.”

Register for CHHSM’s 87th Annual Gathering.
Apply for a scholarship.
Learn more about the Annual Gathering.