Oct 23-25, 2026 MIDDLE CHURCH, NYC & ONLINE
Freedom Rising:
Love & Liberation, NOW!
In the Spirit of revolution, we gather for three days reflecting on this moment, dreaming the world we want, and loving ourselves fiercely along the way.
When our freedoms are at risk,
we need a LOVE revolution.
As our nation turns 250 years old, it can feel like much of our dream of a multi-faith, multi-ethnic, gender-inclusive democracy has turned to dust.
How did we get here; what can we learn from our past stories as we imagine new ones?
What are the spiritual practices required to repair and sustain us in moments of despair? Can we ignite a revolution with vision, voice, and vote?
THE SHAPE OF THE GATHERING
THREE DAYS
THE STORIES OF NOW
Friday 10/23
Understanding the stories that got us here
A keynote, panels and conversations on our history, White Christian Nationalism, and the persistence of racism and xenophobia in our story. We’ll also talk about how the ways money fuels systemic harm.
We end the day with dancing.
DREAMING THE WORLD WE DESIRE
SATURDAY 10/24
The stories of tomorrow
A keynote, panels, and conversations on narrative change and art move the movement. We’ll dream wild dreams grounded in real neighborhood organizing.
There will be a story slam at the end of our day.
THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF REVOLUTION
SUNDAY 10/25
The practices that sustain us as nourishment for the body and soul
A keynote, panels, and a worship celebration on Ubuntu, interrelatedness, and a fierce love of self and neighbor.
THE VOICES OF NOW
-
![Portrait of an older African American woman with short curly gray hair, wearing a colorful paisley blazer over a black top, accessorized with gold earrings, a gold necklace with the name 'Jami,' and red lipstick, against a plain beige background.]()
Jacqui Lewis
-
![]()
Rachel Cargle
-
![]()
Jemar Tisby
-
![Linda Sasour]()
Linda Sarsour
-
![A smiling man with dark, wavy hair and tattoos on his arms, leaning against a brick wall in an alleyway.]()
Brian Recker
-
![Close-up portrait of a man with dark hair styled back, facial hair, wearing a white collared shirt, smiling slightly, against a plain light-colored background.]()
Edgar Villanueva
-
![Man wearing a light purple turban and navy blazer standing outdoors in an urban setting.]()
Simran Jeet Singh
-
![Erica Williams Simon]()
Erica Williams Simon
-
![Tiq Milan]()
Tiq Milan
-
![A woman with curly black hair smiling and sitting at a wooden table outside in front of a glass window door with notices taped on it.]()
Ciarra Jones
-
![An older woman with a shaved head smiling outdoors, wearing glasses, a gray shirt, and a navy vest, with trees blurred in the background.]()
Kelly Brown Douglas
-
![A smiling woman with curly gray hair, wearing a red and black patterned blouse, in an indoor setting with green plants in the background.]()
Abby Disney
-
![Portrait of a woman with curly blonde hair, wearing a white blouse, smiling slightly, against a black background.]()
Genesis Be
-
![Traci Blackmon]()
Traci Blackmon
-
![A young man with dark curly hair and brown skin, smiling, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt, and a striped tie, standing outdoors near a brick building with trees in the background.]()
Kristian A. Smith
-
![Close-up of a smiling woman with dark curly hair wearing a green top against a light green background.]()
Kaliswa Brewster
-
![Casey Donahue]()
Casey Donahue
-
![Bridgit Antionette Evans]()
Bridgit Antionette Evans
-
![A man with short brown hair, a beard, blue eyes, smiling, wearing a dark blazer and a white dress shirt, against a plain white background.]()
Isaac Luria
-
![A smiling man with glasses and a white shirt in a library or bookstore setting.]()
Lucas Johnson
-
![A young man wearing glasses, a black cap with yellow logo, and a dark red sweater, smiling in front of a teal and beige curtain background.]()
Trevor Smith
-
![A woman in a religious or clergy uniform, wearing a badge, smiling, with bookshelves in the background.]()
Liz Theoharis
-
![A woman with curly black hair, smiling, wearing earrings and a necklace, against a light gray background.]()
Grace Ji-Sun Kim
-
![Headshot of a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes, wearing a black top and a multi-layered pearl necklace, smiling, against a plain background.]()
Melissa Deckmann
-
![Smiling woman with natural curly hair in a black sleeveless top outdoors with trees and a fence in the background.]()
Natalie Renee Perkins
-
![Smiling man with a beard and gray dreadlocks, wearing a checkered blazer and blue shirt, posing against a blue background.]()
Mark Thompson
-
![A confident woman smiling with her arms crossed, wearing a pink blazer and hoop earrings, standing in a colorful decorated room.]()
Paris Woods
-
![A woman smiling, wearing a striped dress with navy, orange, white, and red colors, gold hoop earrings, and standing against a solid orange background.]()
Jennifer Bailey
-
![A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes smiling, standing outdoors next to a tree with green foliage in the background.]()
Amanda Hambrick
-
![A woman with dark skin and straight black hair sitting against a white wall. She is wearing a white long-sleeved blouse and black pants, with her arms crossed over her lap.]()
Elizabeth Ayoola
-
![]()
Michael-Ray Mathews
-
![Smiling African American man with a shaved head, wearing a dark blue blazer and a light blue patterned dress shirt, standing outdoors with city buildings and trees in the background during daylight.]()
Ty Jones
-
![A woman with dark hair styled in a sleek bob, wearing a maroon off-shoulder satin dress and a colorful patterned skirt, standing against a neutral background.]()
Alencia Johnson
-
![Close-up portrait of a middle-aged man with a bald head, gray beard, and blue eyes, smiling slightly, wearing a blue and white checkered shirt outdoors with blurred green foliage in the background.]()
Macky Alston
-
![Portrait of a man with dark hair and beard, wearing a black shirt, smiling slightly against a plain background.]()
Nick Laparra
-
![Portrait of a young woman with blonde wavy hair, smiling, wearing a black top, with a wooden background.]()
Tricia Levesque
-
![Portrait of a smiling man with gray hair, wearing a gray suit, a striped shirt, and a patterned tie, standing outdoors in front of a stone wall.]()
Edwin D. Aponte
-
![A smiling man with a close-cropped hairstyle wearing a black suit and black shirt, posing in front of a neutral background.]()
Gamal Palmer
-
![A woman with straight black hair, wearing a white blouse with puffed long sleeves, is sitting against a plain white wall. She has a calm expression, looking directly at the camera, with her hands crossed on her lap.]()
Elizabeth Ayoola
-
![Woman with short red hair taking a selfie against a wood-paneled background.]()
Lucie Tiberghien
-
![A smiling middle-aged woman with short, wavy light brown hair, wearing a gray top, a navy blazer, and a multicolored pearl necklace, standing in front of a dark abstract background.]()
Shifra Bronznick
-
![Close-up of an elderly man with light-colored hair, glasses, and a light blue checkered shirt, sitting indoors with a light-colored wall and window in the background.]()
John Janka
-
![A middle-aged man with glasses and a beard, dressed in a suit and tie, posing outdoors with a background of green trees.]()
Hussein Rashid
-
![]()
John Fugelsang
TICKETS BUILT FOR THE MOVEMENT AND YOU
Group Sales: interested in attending this conference as a group? Please email conference@middlechurch.org
If you can afford a full priced ticket, that’s how you support this movement. Your contribution helps sustain this work and makes it possible for others to be part of it.
If you identify as a student, organizer, or artist, we’ve got you. We’re offering a $79 in-person3-day ticket to support your presence, your voice, and your work in this space.
BUY ONE BRING ONE SALE!
Your ticket is full price. Your guest is on us.
Some conversations are better when we have them together. For a limited time, register for the 20th annual Freedom Rising Conference at the regular price, and receive a complimentary ticket to bring someone with you. Invite a friend, colleague, fellow organizer, or someone you want to share this experience with. Join us October 23–25 to share ideas, build connections, and imagine what we can create together.
One full-price registration + one complimentary guest registration.
Offer ends Monday, October 12 at 11:59 PM ET.
[BUY ONE. BRING ONE.]
Offer details: This promotion is sold as a two-person package, not as two individual half-price tickets. The complimentary guest admission has no cash value. Partial refunds or credits for one unused admission are not offered. Eligible cancellations and refunds apply to the entire package, subject to applicable refund requirements. Both tickets are included in a single purchase.
REGISTER
IN PERSON
TICKETSYour Ticket Gets You:
In-person 3-day experience
Full access to all sessions, art, worship, and food
Community building and networking opportunities
Experience the full program in-person and access all online recordings for 30 days
$399
AVAILABLE THROUGH OCTOBER 23
STUDENT/ORGANIZER/ARTIST
IN PERSON RATE$79
AVAILABLE THROUGH OCTOBER 25
ONLINEYour Ticket Gets You:
Full access to every keynote and panel
Streamed live to wherever you are
Access to all session recordings for 30 days after the event
$99
AVAILABLE THROUGH OCTOBER 25
THIS GATHERING IS FOR YOU
WHO THIS IS FOR
If you've been told the church has no room for you, this is for you.
If you're a young organizer who hasn't slept since November 2025, this is for you.
If you left the faith and the faith still won't leave you, this is for you.
If you're trans and tired of being a debate, this is for you.
If you're a divinity student wondering if you can stay, this is for you.
If you're a forty-year veteran who needs to be reminded why, this is for you.
OCT 23 - 25
NYC & ONLINE
ELEVEN DAYS BEFORE THE MIDTERMS
OCT 23 - 25 NYC & ONLINE ELEVEN DAYS BEFORE THE MIDTERMS
Presented By
in partnership with
Participating Partners
Sponsors