There will be two workshop sessions the morning of Citizens with the Saints. See below for some of  the many options that will be available for you to choose from to inform your learning and advocacy.  More workshops and presenters to be announced soon.  We’ll email you with a complete list and a request to name your preferences once you register.

AI is not “the next big thing;” it is here. Crucially, we must recognize AI is not just a new technology or part of the communications revolution. Moreover, it is already transforming society and affecting individuals and will do so in more sweeping ways than the industrial or communications revolution. But what exactly is AI? How and why will it be so transformative? What are the questions I should be asking? This “workshop” with Roger Willer is designed more for novices who want to learn what AI is and have a conversation about what are the questions.

AI is not “the next big thing;” it is here. AI is already transforming society and affecting individuals and will do so in more sweeping ways than the industrial or communications revolution. However, what the term “AI” means and the issues for people of faith are significant. This workshop with Roger Willer will chart some terminology, some theological reflections, some ethical issues (besides environment), and some pastoral questions in a conversational give and take. It is designed for those who are using AI or want to go deeper and probe what it means to bring the church’s historical, faith-based insights and values into play for the use of AI with justice and wisdom.

This workshop with Rob Altenburg will explore how AI and datacenter projects promise economic development but never talk about how we should evaluate the costs.  We will explore the various ethical issues and develop questions to ask in response to datacenter proposals.

Join Feeding Pennsylvania and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank to learn more about the current state of hunger in the Commonwealth and how they are approaching legislative advocacy.  Feeding PA CEO, Julie Bancroft, and CPFB Government Relations Coordinator, Katie Kerr will also discuss food bank demand, the impact of changes to SNAP, and provide guidance on how you can advocate for neighbors in your community who are experiencing food insecurity.

Workshop with Erin Gabriel of Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN): As Pennsylvanians face higher costs for everything from gas to groceries to housing, many are struggling to afford rising healthcare costs. With recent federal changes to the healthcare landscape, we’ll discuss the current threats and potential progress on making healthcare more affordable and accessible for families across the Commonwealth.  We’ll also show you how you can help advocate for protecting and expanding access to high-quality, affordable healthcare in Pennsylvania.

Learn the impacts of federal immigration policy on our immigrant neighbors. Hear from those working in communities in Pennsylvania and across the country to stand for welcome — what that looks like to practice mutual aid in a time of crisis and what it means to do so as a community of faith.  Join us in advocating for just policies at the local, state and federal levels.

Overview of the legislative landscape in promoting policies that end discrimination, support inclusion, and promote the civil rights of all God’s children, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community.

A growing number of our congregations in every part of the state – rural, urban, and in- between – are serving neighbors facing homelessness or housing insecurity – from opening as extreme weather shelters to living as the church “without walls.” We know firsthand that Pennsylvania is not exempt from the national housing crisis, and therefore we are called to walk with our neighbors to find sustainable solutions.

Join us as we explore key housing policy priorities for 2026, including the impact of federal policy changes,  and what to expect from legislators and staff during meetings. We will review the state budget process and examine how the different parties perceive the Commonwealth’s current financial position.

In today’s polarized climate, faith leaders face immense challenges in guiding politically diverse congregations while living out the values of their faith. Led by Common Ground USA, this training presents clergy and faith-based leaders with some initial tools to engage political differences in their own congregations in ways that strengthen both them and the broader community.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Engage leaders in their own congregations and the community using the Common Ground Approach
  • Navigate difficult conversations in respectful and productive ways
  • Identify shared values that unite people across political perspectives
  • Mobilize diverse groups to work together on common community concerns

Through practical strategies, real-world case studies, and interactive discussion, faith leaders will be better prepared to lead with courage, empathy, and effectiveness. Participants will be prepared to engage political divisions in ways that reveal shared vision and build community resilience.

Come and learn about the basics of ELCA AMMPARO with Raed AbuJries, and what you need to know today about the shifting realities of global migration. Every day we hear stories about immigrants, refugees, border changes, and deportations, and they impact our lives and communities in deeply personal ways. We will explore how we accompany vulnerable, forcibly displaced persons—a population now totaling over 117 million people globally—in countries of origin, transit, and destination. This includes our work with companions in Latin America, as well as our expanding global network in places like Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
We will share concrete, practical ways for you and your church to be more engaged and take meaningful action in our communities, and how to combat strategic dehumanization through new AMMPARO resources.

with Christine Moffett, Program Director for Environment and Energy Policy, ELCA Witness in Society
In a moment of significant federal policy shifts and growing global urgency around the climate crisis, this session invites participants to consider what it means to be the church in the world — and for the world. Drawing on the ELCA’s long-standing commitment to creation care and environmental justice, Christine will offer an overview of the climate crisis, including where policy stands, what is at stake, and how Lutheran communities of faith are called to respond.
Participants will also turn their gaze outwards and hear how our companion churches around the world are experiencing the consequences of U.S. policy decisions. Their words carry both challenge and invitation — to recommit ourselves to advocacy rooted in relationship, solidarity, and the call to care for all of creation.