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Annual Meeting planners invite, ‘Come and See’

“Come and See” is the theme for the 2026 Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ Annual Meeting and for videos congregations are creating to tell who they are.

“Come and See” is based on John 1:39: “He said to them, ‘Come and See.’ They came and saw where he was saying, and they remained with him that day.”

The Annual Meeting will feature the PNC churches, celebrating what they have been up to. Planners have asked congregations to share about their lives.

“Come and See what the churches in the PNC have been up to. Come and See what the PNC youth of our conference think and want from church. Come and See what the PNC has been up to,” says the invitation on the Annual Meeting 2026 website.

The first video was prepared by the Samoan youth at the Christian Worship Center in Anchorage as an invitation for youth to come and join them at the Annual Meeting. As of press time, 10 were posted at https://www.youtube.com/@PacificNorthwestConference. They include videos from Guemes Island, Suquamish, Everett, Seattle 2 Samoan, Ala Ile Ola, Lummi Island, Colville/Chewelah, Magnolia and Keystone

Annual Meeting 2026 will be held Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton at the Seattle Airport-Southcenter.

The location was chosen to accommodate all the meetings, worship, workshops and meals in one hotel where people are staying so they can gather outside the official meetings.

Scholarship funds are being raised to cover the $200 to $500 costs for youth to attend, depending on travel. Friday night youth are bringing worship—island, hip hop, praise music and dance to show their joy and faith—because, as one Samoan youth said, “songs speak to our generation.”

The PNC is inviting youth not only to attend, but also to actively participate in recognition that young people are not just the future of the churches, but their insights help shape programs and appeal to others in the younger generation.

The Rev. Va’a Alaelua, pastor of the Christian Worship Center, said in the invitation, “our young leaders invite youth across the conference to come together for worship that is real to show what happens when young people join up and worship God with everything they have.”

“Come and see what God is doing, and go and tell the worlds,” he said.

To help share “Come and See” videos about churches, Beth Astarte is receiving videos by email at office@pncucc.org.

While some churches are preparing and sending her videos, she is also receiving information from congregations and helping them prepare videos.

Lillian Daniel is conference minister of Michigan. Photo courtesy of Lillian Daniel

The keynote speaker is the Rev. Lillian Daniel, the conference minister of the Michigan Conference and author whose latest book, Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don’t Belong To, has generated international conversation about the changing religious landscape. Her other books include Tell It Like It Is, When Spiritual But Not Religious Is Not Enough and This Odd and Wondrous Calling

She is a nationally recognized preacher, teacher and writer who cares about clergy and congregations.

Originally from Anderson, S.C., she spent her childhood in Asia, London and Washington, D.C., as the daughter of a UPI journalist. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College, a master of divinity degree from Yale Divinity School and a doctor of ministry from Hartford Seminary.

The most recent of the four congregations she has served is First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa. She has taught preaching at Yale Divinity School, Chicago Theological Seminary and the University of Chicago Divinity School.

There will be a choice to attend two of four workshops on Friday afternoon at 1:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Business will include considering/adopting a new Constitution and Bylaws, which have been shared throughout the PNC, revised and discussed through several Zoom meetings. The final

The workshops are

• “Embody the Story,” led by the Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel, pastor of Alki UCC in West Seattle. She writes, teaches, preaches and leads from a foundation of embodied spirituality, expansive theology and wonder. The session invites people to use gentle movement and music to explore Scripture.

• “Church as a Communication Hub,” led by the Rev. Warren Johnson, pastor of First Congregational UCC in Forks, a small church that has grown by engaging with the community, and the Rev. Gen Heywood, pastor of the Veradale UCC in Spokane Valley, a church that experienced hate crimes leading Gen to speak out for justice and inclusiveness. The workshop looks at practical ways congregations can open their spaces, share resources and build meaningful partnerships that respond to needs.

• “Voices Rising: What do the youth today want for the church of tomorrow?” facilitated by the Rev Va’a Alaelua, Roselynn Savani Gatoloai and Demontrice Bigham with PNC-UCC youth. It presents youth perspectives on faith, belonging, justice and community.

• “Emergency Preparedness for Individuals and Congregations,” facilitated by the Rev. Meighan Pritchard, pastor of Prospect UCC, facilitator of the PNC Environmental Justice Team and member of South Whidbey Prepares. She will guide discussion on how to prepare for disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods.

The deadline for registering is Sunday, Feb. 8, and the deadline to register for a discounted hotel room is Tuesday, Feb. 10.

“As we look at where the church is heading and invite youth to engage across generations in worship, shared conversation and to share ideas to take back to our ministry contexts,” said Phil Hodson, designated conference minister, inviting congregations and individuals to donate to the youth scholarships at pncucc.org/donate. “Come and see Christ’s way of living, a better way to be in the world.”

Donations may also be sent to Pacific Northwest Conference UCC, PO Box 12427, Mill Creek, WA 98082.

All business sessions will be hybrid (in-person and online), for those who have registered. Limited funds are available to help offset the cost of attending Annual Meeting. Those needing assistance can email Beth at office@pncucc.org.

Information on workshops will be published in the Annual Meeting Packet. The agenda will be posted and updated on the PNC-UCC Annual Meeting webpage at https://pncucc.org/annual-meeting-2026.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference United Church of Christ News © January 2026

 

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