Can These Bones Live?: Rediscovering What Matters

In a world where systems and algorithms are designed to show us nothing but awful things in the name of profit or social media engagement, it's easy to feel like we are stuck in our valleys where the things that sustain us have dried up and nothing works no matter how hard we've tried. Then, we begin to believe in the possibility that they no longer can and ask ourselves, "Can these bones live?"

And yet, God's vision to Ezekiel vividly illustrates that we can reconnect and revitalize to new ways of being and doing our call to ministry together while still relying on the foundations of the things that have sustained us before, even if they need to look a little different to be more inclusive, welcoming, and inviting. Through this God-given hope, even the driest of bones can resurrect so that we can rediscover and redefine what matters.

The APCE Annual Event will be held in Portland, Oregon from January 27-30, 2027, either in-person at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront or via Annual Event Online. Each day, we will look at different questions we ask ourselves about how we do the ministry of Christian education, moving through the breath, sinews, flesh, and spirit of this collective ministry in the world we live in.

Our President, Rev. Dr. Patrick B. Reyes, will be the keynote speaker at this event!