Review these key details and dates, including the new registration opening date for the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference.
Lay and clergy members of the Michigan Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church will meet for business, fellowship, and worship from May 29 to 31, 2026, at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, just west of Traverse City.
The theme is “Love Boldly,” and the conference speaker is Dr. Ashley Boggan. Annual Conference begins with the Opening Worship and Memorial Service on Friday, May 29, and concludes at 2 pm on Sunday, May 31. The clergy session will be held on Thursday, May 28.
Registration opens earlier this year because March 1 is a Sunday. Registration opens on Saturday, February 28, at 9 am Eastern / 8 am Central. Pre-registration information and the official registration link will be emailed to clergy, equalization members, and lay church representatives whose contact information is in the Brick River database.
Equalization members should contact the district office to confirm that their names and email addresses are correctly listed in the database, and local church representatives should contact their pastor or the church office to confirm. Doing so will ensure they receive all necessary Annual Conference communications, which rely on up-to-date information in Brick River.
The 2026 Michigan Annual Conference website is now live. It includes the full schedule, information on accommodations and activities, and downloadable copies of reports and other essential materials. Additional information will be released in the coming weeks.
Registration is open through Thursday, April 30. Those who miss this two-month window will not be able to participate in legislative committee work. There are no refunds for cancellations after April 30. A $50 fee applies for cancellations.
Late registration opens on Thursday, May 21, with a $50 fee not covered for retired clergy or equalization members. Meals will not be available for purchase through the registration system. Check with Registrar Sarah Vollmer in person to see if meals are available from cancellations.
Full details on legislation, including the 2027 budget, will be posted on the website by April 15. Online legislative committees will meet on May 19 and 20 at 7 pm Eastern each night.
“Love Boldly” is our theme this year, and the guiding scripture is Matthew 22:37-39. This theme is drawn from the Michigan Conference’s three-year focus, shaped by the Council of Bishops’ vision to Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously. Throughout Annual Conference, there will be opportunities to celebrate our identity as United Methodists, Christians always poised and ready to love boldly in the name of Jesus Christ.
To help conferencegoers better understand our United Methodist DNA, Dr. Ashley Boggan, General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, will be the conference speaker. She will help guide conversation around what sets United Methodists apart from other Christians. Learn more about Dr. Boggan and her background.
To prepare for Annual Conference, conference leadership invites every local church in Michigan to plan a study of Laceye Warner’s “Knowing Who We Are: The Wesleyan Way of Grace.” This book offers a clearer picture of our Wesleyan way of following Jesus, centered on core values such as God’s full grace for everyone and real-life transformation. Published in 2024, “Knowing Who We Are” has six chapters and is perfect for small groups. Learn more about this resource.
Another way our United Methodist identity will be highlighted at Annual Conference is through shared conversations about our Social Principles, recently adopted at the 2020 / 2024 General Conference. This will be an excellent opportunity to reflect on and gain wisdom in applying these principles in our lives, churches, community, and the world. Conference leadership invites everyone to come and discover how we may love boldly as we live and engage the world around us in the presence of Jesus Christ.
Much of the planning and production of our Annual Conference each year is made possible thanks to generous financial gifts from local United Methodist churches in Michigan through Ministry Shares. Thank you! Learn about the impact of Ministry Shares on mission and ministry in Michigan and around the world.
Last Updated on February 13, 2026