Young Clergy Women International’s 2026 Conference theme was Welcome to the Table: Honoring the Past, Empowering the Present, Flowing into the Future. This virtual gathering was held from July 28-30, 2026, and featured two keynote presentations from the incredible Debie Thomas, author of A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity and Into the Mess and Other Jesus Stories: Reflections on the Life of Christ. 

Gathered together in this time, we dwelled in Isaiah 25:6-10, highlighting this verse: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.

Thanks to Debie, we were able to reflect on what it is that we are hungry for and what it is that we need revealed from God; while also exploring the idea of “radical welcoming” and how privilege impacts us and the work that we do in ministry and in our daily lives as Christians.

With each of these thoughts, we were reminded that even though this virtual gathering wasn’t what was initially planned, there was still something special about gathering with other young clergywomen in this dedicated time and space. In these moments, as we listened and shared, we also gathered to grieve, lament, and celebrate parts of our life, whether in our ministry, our personal lives or a combination of both.

In May 2024, Young Clergy Women International gathered in Washington, D.C., for its first in-person conference since 2019. Nearly 70 members, alumnae, and On the Road participants came together for four days of worship, learning, reflection, celebration, and community.

Under the theme “Can These Bones Live? Embodying Hope and Justice,” the conference invited young clergy women to consider what it means to lead, serve, and find hope in a challenging season of ministry. Inspired by the prophet Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones receiving new life, the gathering made space for both lament and renewal—and for the reminder that ministry can be difficult without being devoid of hope.

The Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace served as the keynote speaker, reminding participants that while ministry has always been hard, the challenges of the present moment are uniquely ours to navigate. Three additional teachers offered sessions that encouraged participants to think deeply about faith, ministry, justice, and the work of leading communities of faith.

A wide range of workshops gave participants opportunities to explore practical and theological dimensions of ministry, including youth ministry, interfaith families, writing, podcasting, and caring for their own mental and spiritual health.

But perhaps the most significant part of the conference was simply being together. After several years of virtual and hybrid gatherings, participants experienced the joy of sharing physical space again: worshiping together, learning from one another, sharing stories, and building relationships across denominations, generations, and ministry contexts.

The gathering affirmed something at the heart of YCWI: we are not meant to do ministry alone. When young clergy women show up for one another, share resources and wisdom, worship together, and make space for both grief and hope, new life becomes possible.

The 2024 conference reminded us that, yes, these bones can live.

The Preacher was The Rev. Dr. Irie L. Session of The Gathering-A Womanist Church. The Keynote was Brandi Miller, the host of the podcast "Reclaiming My Theology"

The YCWI Conference was a hybrid 1-day local event on July 14, 2022 with satellite locations scattered across the United States, along with a fully online platform as an option.

In 2020 and 2021, the conferences were fully virtual to allow a space to pray and learn together in the time of COVID.

There were 80 women joining us for this year’s conference in Atlanta, GA. Our keynote presenters were Rev. Dr. Nichelle Guidry and Rev. Dr. Liz Mosbo VerHage. Both were inspirational and thought-provoking. We tried a new type of workgroup structure and hosting venue with some success. We discovered that we tried to grow into a next level venue before we outgrew our usual host sites.

As a result, we will be returning to a large church venue (Westminster Presbyterian, Minneapolis, MN) in 2020. We are grateful for the work of exec team and development in recruiting sponsors and vendors for this year. This was a great success.

Young Clergy Women International went to St. Louis, Missouri, USA!

After careful consideration, discernment, and online & personal conversations with YCWs of color, the committee prayerfully chose St. Louis as the 2018 Conference location. In doing so, we strove to be intentional about the way we care for each other in this place as we lean into the work of justice and reconciliation waiting for us in Missouri.

Dr. Karoline Lewis led us through a week of conversation about embodied ministry during our time together July 16-19, 2018, at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown St. Louis. We learned together what it means to live out embodied ministry as individuals and explored the collective “we” of ministry, embodied to work together for justice and reconciliation wherever we serve.

Young Clergy Women International headed to Vancouver, British Columbia!

Rev. Casey Fitzgerald led us through a week of conversation about story at St. Anselm’s Anglican Church in Vancouver. We learned the techniques to story-learning and spend time considering how storytelling in various forms empowers those in our contexts to go deeper with scripture.

In 2016, we welcomed 111 young clergy women to Boston University’s School of Theology for our conference, Leading with Presence. Our time of learning, fellowship and connection was enriched with worship from a variety of denominational backgrounds.

Our plenary sessions were led by Rev. Susan Beaumont. Rev. Beaumont is a consultant, author, coach, and spiritual director. She has consulted with over one hundred congregations and denominational bodies across the United States and in Canada. She is known for her ground-breaking work in the leadership dynamics of large congregations.

During our time together, Rev. Beaumont led us in a three-day conversation about leadership. We explored questions including: How do we lead from the well within ourselves and tend the souls we minister to while honoring our God-given gifts? How can we be the most effective leaders in our context? How do we adapt our leadership in times of uncertainty and transition? Rev. Beaumont’s expertise and wisdom provided much for participants to bring back to their ministries.

As always, the conference offered onsite childcare, opportunities for self-care and time to explore the city. We explored the Freedom Trail, participated in a yoga class and shared wonderful meals together at a variety of Boston restaurants.

Explore more about the 2016 Conference in our magazine pieces by Hannah L. Goldstein and Elizabeth Dilley.

In 2015, we welcomed over 75 young clergy women from around the world to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, TX for a time of learning, fellowship, worship and connection. We were also very pleased to offer on-site childcare for the third year running.

Our time was led by Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer is Associate Professor of New Testament at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is the author of First Pure, Then Peaceable: Frederick Douglass, Darkness and the Epistle of James (Continuum, 2007) and of the 2010 Horizons Magazine Bible study, Confessing the Beatitudes  (Presbyterian Women, Inc., 2011).

During our time together Dr. Aymer lead us on a two-day journey into contextual bible study. As we discovered, using the Bible in context can be a powerful tool to keep in your YCW toolbox. Not only can contextual bible study assist in community discernment, it opens scripture from the inside out, allowing the Spirit to speak to your unique time, place, and needs.

Most bible studies begin with scripture first. In contextual bible study, the process begins first with the question for discernment. Through group dialogue, biblical passages are then discerned. The role of the facilitator (be it the pastor or other person in charge) is to then research and exegete Scripture. The facilitator is not the “bringer of answers,” but rather, the “bringer of questions.”

We joined together around tables for delicious meals and even better company. We relaxed and played together: visiting the famous bat colony of Austin, getting our nails done, watching movies at the Alamo Draft Houes, going out for morning coffee runs to the delicious “Beware Coffee” Cart, and more.

Explore more about the 2015 Conference in the interview with Dr. Aymer on Fidelia and a tribute by Rev. Katie Yahns.

In 2014, we were excited to welcome over 75 young clergy women from around the world to Minneapolis, MN for a time of learning, fellowship, worship and connection. We were also very pleased to offer on-site childcare for the second year running.

From July 7-10, 2014, we were welcomed by Westminster Presbyterian Church. Our time was led by Rev. Ruth Harvey, a member of the Iona Community (Scotland), a Church of Scotland minister, and a tireless worker for conflict resolution in the church.

During our time together we explored questions of ministry in new and creative spaces, what it looks like to be leaders in a shifting world.  We joined together around tables for delicious meals and even better company.  We relaxed and played together: singing Karaoke at the Mall of America, getting our nails done, playing mini-golf in the sculpture park, going out for morning runs around the pond, and more.

In 2013, we were excited to welcome over 60 young clergy women from around the world to Nashville, Tennessee, for a time of learning, fellowship, worship and connection. This year was also the first time we were able to provide on-site childcare and we joined by 14 children and 8 traveling companions.

From July 22-25, 2013, we were welcomed by Vanderbilt Divinity School to explore the question of images of women in leadership. Our time was led by Dr. Nyasha Junior, an Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at the Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C.

During our time together, we learned from each other about the models and images that inform our ministries. We expanded our minds with presentations and group discussions. We tended our souls with options like Zumba, massage, spiritual direction and mani-pedis with worship in the salon. We shared our stories and prayed for each other. As always, we connected with old friends and discovered new friends. We were challenged and encouraged, and of course, ate some chocolate, did some shopping, and explored Music City.

In 2012, we were excited to continue to be able host yearly conferences for young clergy women from around the world.

From July 30 – August 2, 2012, we were welcomed by McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL to take a sabbath in the city, where we wondered about sabbath. Our time was led by the Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana, the pastor of Idylwood Presbyterian Church (USA) in Falls Church, Virginia. She is also the author of Sabbath in the Suburbs, through TYCWP Imprint [now the YCWI imprint] with Chalice Press.

During our time together, we nurtured our spirits. We tried to slow down. We considered how to “delight” in sabbath. We explored the city of Chicago. We engaged our minds with presentations and group discussions. As always, we connected with old friends and discover new friends. We were challenged and encouraged, and of course, ate some chocolate.

In 2011, we were eager to roll up our sleeves and host our second conference by ourselves, our fourth conference overall.

From August 8-11, 2011, we were welcomed by Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina, to seek rest and renewal, refreshment and re-connecting with God. Our time was led by the Reverend Winnie Varghese, a leader in the Episcopal Church’s clergy wellness program.

We nurtured our spirits. We tried new prayer practices. We walked in the lovely Duke Gardens. We engaged our minds with presentations and group discussions. As always, we connected with old friends and discover new friends. We were challenged and encouraged, and of course, ate some chocolate.

In 2010, the previous home of our 2007 and 2008 Conferences, the Cathedral College of Preachers in Washington, DC sadly closed.

The Young Clergy Women Project (TYCWP) began to dream about what a conference designed from the ground up by and for young clergy women would look like. To do so, TYCWP partnered with the Center for Congregational Health and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

On June 27-30, 2010, we invited our clergy sisters to Atlanta with this invitation.

Need a chance to learn and connect with young clergy women like yourself? Want the chance to re-examine, revitalize, and recharge with others who share your journey? Then THIS is your conference.

This was the first conference that we hosted that did not have to focus on preaching. As young leaders, we decided to explore what leadership means for us. We invited two leaders from the Center for Congregational Health – namely the Rev. Melissa Clodfelter and the Rev. Beth Kennett – to lead this retreat entitled Leading as Ourselves: Discerning Models for Ministry. 

In Atlanta, we articulated what it means to lead as a young clergy woman. We worshiped. We were challenged. We prayed. We realized that we could host these events on our own – and they would be better than we ever could have imagined.

In 2008, we returned to the Cathedral College of Preachers in Washington, DC, to explore our preaching.

On August 5-9, 2008, we made our way to our nation’s capital to be inspired by The Rev. Dr. Ruthanna Hooke of Virginia Theological Seminary. As an ecumenical body, we were grateful to welcome an Anglican voice like the Rev. Hooke. We knew that we could count on an ecumenical heart from her studies at Yale Divinity School.

The Rev. Hooke offered this invitation toward embodying the sermon:

“The depths of Scripture call for preachers to meet Scripture from their own depths. This meeting of deep and deep occurs not only in the writing of the sermon, but also in the speaking of it. A sermon is not primarily words on a page, but is a living, breathing event of one human being speaking to others. This course focuses on developing the skills needed to be fully present for this speaking event. This full presence and availability for the sermon is necessary in order to convey the depths found in Scripture and also the depths in preachers’ own lives as they meet Scripture. In this course we will work toward developing this availability by drawing on techniques of actor training that aim to enhance the freedom of the body, the breath, and the voice. These techniques will help us discover how we can more fully bring our bodies as well as our minds and souls to the preaching event. We will also examine what the demand that we bring all of ourselves to preaching requires of us spiritually and emotionally. In addition, this conference will focus on the particular challenges for women in claiming their voice, not only metaphorically but literally, in the pulpit.”

There were wonderful gifts offered by the Cathedral College–including its location, the meals, the stocked mini fridge ideal for snacking and wine and the lodging itself. However, it was quite expensive for our young clergy sisters. We did not know that we would not host a conference in 2009, but that would partly be due to the fact that the Cathedral College closed.

Our very first conference emerged from the hard work of our founder, Susan Olson. Through the support of The Louisville Institute, young clergy women who had previously only connected through an underground password-protected blog gathered the Cathedral College of Preachers in Washington, DC.

On August 6-10, 2007, these young clergy women were encouraged to preach the good news by Anna Carter Florence. Using inspiration from her recent book Preaching as Testimony, the Rev. Dr. Carter Florence worked with small preaching groups. Following the format familiar to the the Cathedral College, participants were invited to preach two sermons over the week in these small preaching groups–one previously preached, and one new one.

We worshiped together daily, shared communal meals in the refectory and participated in an evening of focus groups on the status of young clergy women. But, more than anything, we remembered how important it is to know that we are not the only ones.