ANNUAL GATHERING
We believe in the transformative power of play, which is why we designed our annual gathering to be focused around fun and reinvigoration. In our three-day gathering you can expect everything from improv games to ritual arts to reflective time and space to listen inward-everything you need to reignite your imagination and bring a sense of playfulness and imagination back into your preaching. This gathering is open to the public.
Finally, a preaching conference that nourishes your soul with rest and play.
A creative conference for curious preachers.
July 14-17, 2026
The Crossroads Hotel
2101 Central Street KCMO 64108
How is your preaching these days?
Was there a time when preaching was one of your favorite things, but now it is harder and harder to feel excited?
Have you lost your creative spark for preaching?
Does preaching feel like a chore when it used to be something you loved to do?
Are you suffering in isolation and silence because you don’t know who can help?
We’ve been there, which is why we created Pause/Play!
Join us to get out of your head and connect with your passion for preaching.
We’re taking over the beautiful Crossroads Hotel in Kansas City, transforming it into an oasis for any preacher who is feeling weary and needs to nurture creativity.
Through rest and play we will be nourished - in soul, mind, and body!
Join us for the preaching event you can’t afford to miss!
Need More Info? We’ve answered some questions below.
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The registration fee for the entire conference is $450, which includes dinner Tuesday eve plus breakfast and lunch Wednesday - Friday. Plus tea, coffee, and water all day.
You can register for Wednesday and/or Thursday for $150 per diem.
Hotel rooms range from $219 for a room with one King bed to $239 for a room with two queen beds.
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The Annual Gathering is being organized by Rev. Amy Shoemaker and Rev. Dr. Casey Sigmon with support from the Lilly Foundation. The plenary sessions will be facilitated by Casey with workshops from Spiritual Directors, Creatives, and Coaches.
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Anyone who preaches. Whatever your official relationship with a church, tradition, or denomination - if you preach, you are welcome!
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We will have delicious food, endless coffee, and restorative time for rest and play. A combination of plenary sessions, workshops, artist dates, and generous break times provide a refuge from the routine of regular preaching.
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Comfortable clothes you can move in easily or potentially get a little messy. The weather will likely be very hot and humid. Dress however you need to!
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You will want to be in the lobby of the Crossroads Hotel by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 14th. We will end by noon on Friday, July 17th.
The newly built Kansas City International Airport is filled with food, coffee, and goods from local restaurants and makers, it is the primary airport in the KC Metro.
If you are driving, there is free street parking or valet parking for a fee.
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If you are staying at the hotel and have driven from out of town, plan to use the valet parking. The only other parking available is street parking. If you are commuting from your home in KC, give yourself some extra time to find street parking if you don’t valet.
Need more info? Here is the schedule from our 2025 event.
Wednesday
Theme: Gather
3:00 pm - Hotel Check In
5:00 pm - Registration*
6:00 pm - Dinner*
7:00 pm - Opening Worship
*There will be a cash bar
from 5-7pm.
Thursday
Theme: Pause
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Plenary
10:00 am - Break
10:30am - Workshop
12:00pm - Break
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30 pm - Break
2:00pm - Facilitated Pause
3:30pm - Break
4:00pm - Plenary
5:00pm - Break for Dinner Out
7:00pm - Board Game Night!
Friday
Theme: Play
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Plenary
10:00 am - Break
10:30am - Workshops
12:00pm - Break
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30 pm - Break
2:00pm - Workshops
3:30pm - Break
4:00pm - Plenary
5:00pm - Break for Dinner Out
Saturday
Theme: Depart
8:00am - Breakfast
9:00am - Plenary
10:00am - Break
10:30am - Closing Worship
11:30am - Lunch
12:00pm - Checkout Hotel
