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DioWis Clergy Conference 2026

Time: April 28-30, 2026

REGISTER IS NOW CLOSED

Location: Green Lake Conference Center
W2511 WI-23, Green Lake, WI 54941
Map

Reach out to Mike Finney if there is any questions at mike@diowis.org

Two Clergy woman smiling at each other.

We’re glad to gather with you again at beautiful Green Lake for our second year together — a time of renewal, rest, and reflection. This retreat is a sacred pause in the rhythm of ministry: space to breathe deeply, pray honestly, reconnect with one another, and listen for where God is leading next.

We meet at a moment of profound change. Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping how people relate, work, and understand what it means to be human. The Church has faced turning points like this before — and responded with courage, compassion, and the Social Gospel.

Now it’s our turn.

Together, we’ll explore what faithful leadership looks like in this new landscape and how we remain deeply, incarnationally Church in a digital age.

Come ready to unplug and reconnect, to wonder and wrestle, and to leave restored — and equipped.

Our Speaker:

Featured Speaker: Kate Ott, PhD

Dr. Kate Ott is a feminist, Christian ethicist addressing the formation of moral communities with specializations in technology, sexuality, pedagogy, professional ethics, and youth and young adults. She is the author of Christian Ethics for a Digital Society and Sex, Tech, and Faith: Ethics for a Digital Age in addition to edited volumes, numerous chapters and articles. Ott regularly lectures and leads trainings for university, religious leadership, and parent and teen audiences. She is Jerre and Mary Joy Stead Professor of Christian Social Ethics and the director of the Stead Center for Ethics and Values (steadcenter.com) at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. For more visit kateott.org.

Learn more about Dr. Kate Ott

Our Subject:

Religious Leadership in a Technological Revolution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is changing relational patterns, redefining human capabilities, and altering systems of labor. Religious communities and leaders faced a similar historical shift during the industrial revolution that birthed the social gospel movement. Learning from that history, we will lean into a concrete social ethic approach that calls for community engagement, moral discernment, and shared advocacy. With this model in mind, we will pay specific attention to how faith leaders and congregations can respond to social divides exacerbated by AI and the impact of agentic AI partnerships.

Our Location:

Green Lake Conference Center


W2511 WI-23, Green Lake, WI 54941

Learn more about Green Lake Conference Center

Who has to attend? 

Attendance is expected of all priests in active ministry and assigned Deacons. Priests that are in long-term supply arrangements or are serving as supply priests in the diocese are not expected to attend but are welcome. Review the specific roles or contact the Bishop’s Office (Lisa@diowis.org) if you have a question or need an excusal.

Fee assistance is available; clergy are welcome to check in with Canon Scott (scott@diowis.org) after registration.

  • You are expected to attend. If unable to attend seek permission for excusal from the Bishop’s office (lisa@diowis.org).

  • You are not expected to attend but are welcome! We would love to see you there.

  • We understand that some of our Deacons have employment that does not allow them to attend - they just need to let us know this is the case. If unable to attend seek permission for excusal from the Bishop’s office (lisa@diowis.org).

  • You are not expected to attend but are welcome! Come and mingle with your favorite folks .

  • Priests that are in long-term supply arrangements or are serving as supply priests in the diocese are not expected to attend but are welcome

Our Schedule:

Plans evolve as we gather. Note that this schedule may shift slightly before or during the event — we’ll keep this page updated with the latest details.

Tuesday: 

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Check-in – Kern Building Lobby

12:00 PM | Lunch – Dining Room

1:00 PM | Welcome & Bishop’s Remarks – Brayton Case Room

2:30 PM | Session 1: Church & AI – Social Gospel 2.0 with Katie Ott

4:00 PM | Move into rooms

5:00 PM | Dinner - Dining Room

7:30 PM | Social Time – Snacks & Drinks – Brayton Case Room

9:00 PM | Compline – Brayton Case Room

Wednesday: 

7:30 AM | Breakfast – Dining Room

9:00 AM | Eucharist – Brayton Case Room

10:15 AM | Session 2: Networked Theology Facing Social Divides with Katie Ott

12:00 PM | Lunch – Dining Room

1:00 PM | Free Time / Spiritual Conversations by Appointment

3:30-4:15 Clergy Meet by Region with Rooms

  • Northwoods in Brayton Case Room

  • Eastern Ridges in Brown Room

  • Driftless in Johnson Room

  • Kettle Moraine in Hanson Room

  • Lakeshore in Stansbury Room

5:00 PM | Dinner – Dining Room

7:00 PM | Social Time – Snacks & Drinks – Brayton Case Room

9:00 PM | Compline – Brayton Case Room

Thursday:

7:30 AM | Breakfast – Dining Room

9:30 AM | Session 3: Being Church in an Age of AI Companions, Guides, Healers, and Lovers with Katie Ott

10:45 AM | Closing Eucharist – Brayton Case Room

12:00 PM | Lunch – Dining Room

1:00 PM | Departure