Learn – Wonder – Commit: Leadership Academy 2026

One of my favorite days of the year in our diocese took place on April 25– Leadership Academy. I love it not because it is a day of learning (although I love that, too!), but because it is a day of connection. Leadership Academy brings together people from across our diocese, people drawn to workshops that will support and engage their congregations in the important work of being the Church. 

This year, participants from 23 of the congregations in our diocese chose to spend their Saturday worshipping and learning with their diocesan community.

Connections looked like so many things that day. They were found in worship, during the joy-filled hymns, thoughtful prayers, and uplifting sermon preached by Canon to the Ordinary for Mission, Jason Evans. In this diocesan Year of Evangelism, he called us to listen for where God is calling our congregations and us, and then to leave our comfortable pews and partner with God in the world. Equal parts challenge and connection, and laced with more than a few laughs, Jason’s words set the tone for our work that day.

There were connections in the workshops too – between the content and between the people! In the Discipleship Track, Odesma Dalrimple and Amy Reams from St. Luke’s facilitated a Story Circles workshop. This rich formation program was created by Mark Yaconelli and Melissa Wiginton as part of the Austin Story Project. Intimate groups of four or five participants built a circle, shared stories with one another, listened for threads of connection, and then heard a story from Jesus’ life. In a world that can feel isolating, sharing our stories is an opportunity to build a community of belovedness.

David Jay, our EDSD Director of Development, offered a workshop on year-round giving. He provided simple tools to support congregations in transitioning from a yearly stewardship drive to a congregational culture of gratitude where gifts come from the heart and support ministry in the church and in the world. With humor and practical applications, David helped participants make connections between their ministries and God’s vision of abundance for all people.

Robert Vivar, led a Know Your Rights workshop, helping congregations explore how they can connect and support their immigrant neighbors. With engaging visuals, clear, fact-based guidance, and a foundation of faithfulness, connections that felt like hope were palpable among the participants.

And these are just a few highlights from the 11 workshops offered that day, a day that ended with a community reflection back in the Sanctuary of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church. Participants were invited to reflect on three prompts to close our day together. Their takeaways were written on colorful Post-it notes and placed on communal flipchart pages. The prompts?

What did you learn today?

What do you wonder about?

What do you commit to do when you get home?

Below are a few that I noticed as I transcribed them. I hope that they bless you, just as the gathered community of faithful EDSD disciples so richly blessed me. 

LEARN

“I learned the importance of incorporating how can I/we pray for you being asked in each small group I gather.”

“I learned the difference between discipleship & Evangelism – AND – I can do both!”

“I learned how to ask good questions – what possibilities do you see here?”

“I learned the types of communications to non-church members.”

WONDER

“I wonder if I can start a small group?”

“I wonder what is the story of transformation I’m called to tell – and how do I open myself to being transformed?”

“I wonder what else we are doing in our churches that can help each other?”

“I wonder what opportunities my church community will find in our neighborhood to share the good news and support others?”

COMMIT

“I commit to supporting year-round gratitude in our messaging and our living.”

“I commit to practicing asking someone to join me in a church activity/worship until I am comfortable doing it for real.”

“I commit to storytelling as a spiritual practice.”

“I commit to being brave – sharing stories – listening deeply – *grow*”

If you would like to know more about Leadership Academy and other opportunities for learning in community in our diocese, please contact Charlette Preslar, cpreslar@edsd.org.