By The Communications Team
Community of Christ’s 2026 Peace Forum is nearing, and energy at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA, is soaring with preparations. Whether joining 16–18 October online or in-person, readers’ involvement will help make this event the best it can be.
Peace Award Recipient
Environmental author and activist Bill McKibben will receive the Community of Christ International Peace Award and will share his knowledge and experience throughout the weekend.
McKibben’s realistic optimism in the face of the climate crisis is inspiring and empowering. He has been steadfast in this movement and his work, and we can learn a lot from him and his example.
Also, the Community of Christ Human Rights Award will be given to recipients named at the 2025 World Conference: Randie Marsh and the Munson family.
Although we learned much about their contributions when they were named during World Conference, the Peace Forum will provide more opportunities to hear and learn from them.
Registration
To register, visit the Peace Forum page. Categories: adult attending in-person; adult attending online independently; groups and congregations attending online; or for a young child, child, or youth. If at an online site, you need to register only if you are the person hosting; remote attendees do not need to register separately.
At registration, depending on age and the type chosen, optional add-ons might be offered. In-person attendees can add the Friday spirituality retreat, “So That Life Might Flourish: Praying with the Earth.” Other add-ons: event shirts, event mug, and a boxed lunch for Saturday. Online participants should watch the CofChrist.org page for information about requesting event merchandise.
Registration is generosity-based, with a minimum cost applied to every registration. The estimated total cost per person varies based on the age and location of the attendee. It’s included on each form, so participants have a general idea of how much they might choose to give.
Sharing for the common good is the spirit of Zion, so if you can contribute more, please do so.
Register Today
Join Community of Christ for the 2026 Peace Forum, 16–18 October, at the Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA, or online.
Schedule
Events are full of opportunities for learning, connection, and engagement. The peace forum officially will begin the evening of 16 October with award presentations and a keynote address from McKibben. 17 October will offer breakout sessions and an exciting evening worship. The forum will close the morning of 18 October with the First Presidency sharing in a worship service.
Breakout Sessions
With the immense diversity of our gathering community in mind, the planning team organized breakout sessions into four tracks. This will help participants decide what they want to learn and how they will apply the information when they return home.
- Deep Roots will focus on the theology that grounds and fuels our commitment to environmental justice. This track is perfect for people who want to discover how their faith might shape their daily discipleship.
- Expanding Trunk will introduce and explore practices that strengthen our capacity to live and act for climate justice. This track is a good fit for those seeking specific examples of changes that individuals and small groups can make to better care for creation.
- Branching Out will engage public witness and partnerships in civic action for environmental justice. Folks interested in this track will be ready to act in the public sphere, moving us closer to climate justice in our communities and nations.
- Bearing Fruit will uphold justice that nourishes communities, economies, and Earth. This track is for those who want to identify and uphold elements that help us be the new community. It is about structural and systemic approaches that help us live God’s peaceable kingdom.
It is important to know that participants won’t be limited to one track. Organizers won’t ask at registration, and participants won’t be expected to commit on arrival at the forum. Participants can move between the tracks.
Online Participation
While it would be wonderful to have the Temple full of participants, not everyone can attend in-person. Online participation will be an option. The award presentation and the main worship services will be available to stream for anyone. Those who wish to attend breakout sessions will need to register. Individuals can register to join online or can participate in an online site organized by local leaders.