ALLELON GATHERING 2026
September 17–19, 2026 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Leominster, Massachusetts
More than 100 participants gathered at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Leominster, Massachusetts, from September 17–19, 2026, for the Allelon Gathering, a three-day experience centered on spiritual renewal, fellowship, vocational discovery, leadership, and the sharing of stories.
With the theme “Listening to One Another’s Story,” the gathering created space for participants from diverse cultural and generational backgrounds to come together, listen, reflect, worship, and build meaningful relationships.
A Time for Renewal and Connection
The gathering began on Thursday, September 17, with registration, lunch, and a welcome orientation. Participants then entered an afternoon of personal renewal and reflection, with opportunities for spiritual direction, wellness experiences, quiet reflection, music, and informal fellowship.
The first day concluded with an Opening Worship Service led by Rev. Gina Jacobson Strain, bringing participants together through Scripture, music, prayer, and proclamation.
Discovering Our Calling Together
Friday focused on vocational discovery, personal growth, and community-building. The day began with morning devotion led by Rev. Dominique Jean, followed by an interactive Vocational Discovery & Self-Reflection Workshop facilitated by Mark Oestreicher.
Participants explored questions of calling, vocational identity, personal gifts, and faithful leadership. Throughout the afternoon, table activities and team exercises encouraged participants to meet people from different communities and build new connections.
The Vocational Development Workshop: From Reflection to Practice, facilitated by Abigail Medina-Betancourt, helped participants move from reflection toward action by identifying growth goals, developing practical steps, anticipating challenges, and building systems of support and accountability.
Friday evening concluded with “Voices of Hope,” an evening worship experience featuring five Cultural Advocates who shared reflections grounded in Scripture, culture, and lived experience. Their stories offered an opportunity to listen more deeply to the experiences and perspectives of others.
Youth Leadership and Intergenerational Conversation
Saturday's program focused on carrying the journey forward, with particular attention to youth leadership and intergenerational relationships.
The morning began with devotion led by youth participants through Scripture, music, prayer, and reflection. Participants then heard key findings from the TENx10 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Study, presented by Myat Thitsar.
Rev. Florence Li followed with a reflection on cultivating youth leadership for today and the future, and on how older generations can support, mentor, and build meaningful relationships with emerging leaders.
The conversation continued through “What Are We Carrying Forward?”, an intergenerational open conversation facilitated by Rev. Larry Kim and Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla. Participants were invited to listen, share their perspectives, and reflect on what they had learned from one another.
Carrying the Journey Forward
As the gathering came to a close, participants took part in an Allelon Reflection & Evaluation, considering what they would carry forward, what they might need to release, and what they had learned during their time together.
The gathering concluded with a Closing Worship and Communion Service led by Rev. Dr. Marie, bringing the three-day experience to a close through Holy Communion, blessing, and commissioning.
After lunch, participants said their farewells and departed with the relationships, reflections, stories, and experiences they had gathered along the way.
A Journey of Listening, Learning, and Connection
The 2026 Allelon Gathering offered more than a series of workshops and worship services. By staying together throughout the three-day gathering, participants had the opportunity to connect beyond scheduled sessions, share meals, exchange stories, and build relationships across cultural and generational lines.
Through worship, reflection, vocational exploration, leadership development, storytelling, and fellowship, the gathering encouraged participants to listen more deeply to one another and consider how those stories can shape the way they move forward together.
The gathering ended not simply with a farewell, but with a commissioning to carry the journey forward—taking with them new relationships, shared wisdom, renewed faith, and a deeper appreciation for one another's stories.
The 2026 Allelon Gathering program included personal renewal, vocational discovery and development, cultural storytelling, youth leadership, intergenerational dialogue, reflection, worship, and Communion.
