We are delighted to announce the Keynote Speakers for our annual residential conference in Dublin, January 2026.
JANUARY 2026 CONFERENCE THEME:
INSPIRING LIVES: People of Faith at the Heart of the Community
Rev Dr Alex Wimberly, Leader of Corrymeela Community
Alex is originally from the United States, but is no stranger to Ireland. For almost seven years Alex worked in Belfast as minister of the McCracken Memorial Presbyterian Church. He completed his PhD studies in history — focusing on the theme of reconciliation in American Presbyterianism — at the University of Notre Dame after which he returned to Northern Ireland, working in various roles with Corrymeela up until his appointment.
(this text & photo from the Corrymeela website, with thanks)
We are delighted that Alex has agreed to join us in January and we very much look forward to hearing more about Corrymeela’s work and how Alex and his colleagues are inspiring lives in the communities in which they serve.
Rev Abigail Sines, Assoc Minister in Carrigrohane Union of Parishes
Abigail has been Associate Minister in the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes since September 2022. Her responsibilities focus on children and family ministry in the parish and creative outreach centred on the Church of the Resurrection Blarney. She initiated the Mindful Makers craft group, an informal group which now includes members from within and beyond the parish community, meeting twice a month during term time to chat, craft and share ideas. From March 2024, the group took on an ambitious project: creating a Knitted Bible display, which made its debut in Blarney during Holy Week this year, drawing hundreds of visitors from the local area and beyond.
Abigail’s talk entitled, ‘The Power of Quirky: Connection, Creativity and Craft’ promises to inform and also entertain us!
Eimhin Walsh, former Director of the Mendicity Institute
Dr Eimhin Walsh grew up around Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. He studied theology and history at Trinity College Dublin and the University of Oxford. He was the first community officer at St Patrick’s, building links between the cathedral and the community groups in its vicinity. He now works as a governance professional in the public sector, specialising in building structures and systems to enable organizations to maximize their impact. He chairs the Dublin University Far Eastern Mission and is a trustee of the Royal Dublin Society.
Eimhin’s keynote posits, ‘Why Bother? the Christian vocation in a post Christian world‘, as he explores how, in an increasingly secular world, ancient Christian buildings have a unique opportunity to speak to their visitors about the Christian vision and mission. Eimhin will critique approaches of cathedrals and churches to engagement with the world and suggest some practical ways that cathedrals can facilitate meaningful engagement and genuine Christian mission in this context.
We also have a superb line up of workshop leaders to inspire you, with practical ideas, shared experience and free resources for you to adapt and use in your sacred space.
- Tom Little, Director of Music and Tomos Watkins, Assistant Director of Music CCC on
Music Outreach - Susanne Reid CEO CCC and Gavan Woods Adminstrator (CEO) SPC on Keeping our Cathedrals Alive
- Ruth Kenny, Head of Learning and Interpretation CCC on Sacred Space: Common Ground. Programming and Adjacency
- The Gathering Grounds Honesty Box Café Scheme
- Saul Penfold on Inspired Classrooms
- Kelly Bermingham, Community Officer SPC on Saint Patrick’s Cathedral – an historic sanctuary space for theological, sociological, economic, justice and political discourse.
- Aaron Hoey, Verger and Conservator SPC on Conserving the intangible heritage of churches in times of diversified use
- Kryzel Bonifacio, Education Officer SPC on Congregating curiosity: Educational engagement for the whole community
- Plus a workshop on ‘The Ministry of Welcome’ details to follow
It will be difficult to choose which sessions to attend, so why not send two or more delegates from your organisation so that you can benefit from more than one workshop when they’re running concurrently?! One of the greatest benefits of attending conference is the networking and support our delegates receive from each other. It is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, to make new friends, and to take time out away from the busy-ness of our home sacred space and to reflect on and renew your mission and goals.
For the latest draft of our January 2026 programme, click here.
If you work in a Cathedral, Abbey, Minster or Major Church and would like to explore your mission and outreach opportunities; if you have a role in Visitor Welcome, Tourism & Engagement, Events and/or Education and Learning; you can book your delegate place by completing an online booking form here.
No responses yet