Attend UMAC 2027 with Support from Rio Texas
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February 25–26, 2027 | Bethany United Methodist Church | Austin, Texas
Every local church has a story to tell, and the people who help share those stories play an important role in connecting congregations with their communities.
The Rio Texas Conference is excited to help local churches participate in the 2027 United Methodist Association of Communicators (UMAC) Annual Meeting, February 25–26 in Austin, Texas.
This gathering brings together communicators from across The United Methodist Church for opportunities to learn new skills, exchange ideas, build relationships, and discover creative ways to strengthen communications ministry.
To help make this opportunity more accessible, the Rio Texas Conference is offering up to 20 participation stipends of $500 each to help local church representatives attend UMAC 2027.
Stipend Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and stipends may be awarded before the deadline. Early applications are encouraged!
UMAC 2025 GATHERING – CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION, Leawood, Kansas
What to Expect at UMAC 2027
BISHOP CYNTHIA FIERRO HARVEY WILL PREACH AT UMAC 2027 OPENING WORSHIP.
Inspired by the theme Side x Side, UMAC 2027 will bring together communicators from across The United Methodist Church to learn, collaborate, and explore new ways to share the stories of faith and ministry.
The gathering will open with worship featuring Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey preaching and presiding over Holy Communion.
Participants will hear from speakers exploring a variety of topics, including:
• Rev. Rachel Kessler, known online as The Nerdy Priest, will share how she uses social media, pop culture, and short-form sermons to connect with audiences and share her Christian witness.
• Rev. Lindsey Joyce will discuss community organizing, rapid-response networks, and the role of communication in responding to community needs.
• Garrett Bucks, writer and community organizer, will explore how storytelling and communication can help build stronger relationships and communities.
• Tracy Simmons, an award-winning religion journalist, will participate in a religion reporters roundtable exploring the opportunities and challenges of reporting on faith.
• Ashley Gish of United Methodist Communications will share how the denomination is engaging with artificial intelligence and what communicators are learning along the way.
The gathering will also feature hands-on workshops, opportunities to connect with fellow communicators, and the UMAC Awards Gala celebrating outstanding communications work across the connection.
Additional speakers and workshop leaders will be announced as the gathering approaches.
Who Can Participate?
You don't need to have an official communications title or be a paid church staff member to participate!
Breakout sessions during the 2025 umac gathering
Whether you manage your church's social media, create bulletins, maintain a website, take photographs, produce videos, or simply help share what's happening in your congregation, this opportunity is for you.
Anyone interested in attending UMAC 2027 is welcome to register for the gathering, regardless of whether they apply for or receive a Rio Texas participation stipend.
To apply for a Rio Texas participation stipend, pastors, church staff, and volunteers must be designated or authorized by their local church leadership to attend on behalf of their congregation.
$500 Participation Stipends
The Rio Texas Conference is offering up to 20 participation stipends to help offset the cost of attending UMAC 2027.
Each $500 stipend includes:
• $250 toward registration: Covers the UMAC 2027 local church registration fee, which includes admission to the Awards Banquet.
• $250 toward travel and lodging: Helps offset expenses associated with traveling to Austin and attending the gathering.
Additional Awards Banquet guest tickets are not covered by the stipend.
Stipend Availability & Selection
Priority consideration will be given to applicants from Hispanic/Latino and African American churches and ministries, applicants from rural churches, congregations located farther from Austin, and lay volunteers who serve in communications roles without being employed by their churches.
All local churches are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Submitting an application does not guarantee that a stipend will be awarded. Funding is limited, and stipends may be fully allocated before the December 1 deadline.
How to Apply
1. Complete the Stipend Application
Complete the Rio Texas UMAC 2027 Participation Stipend Application by December 1, 2026.
You do not need to register or pay for UMAC 2027 before applying. We encourage you to apply for the stipend first so you know whether financial assistance has been awarded before paying the registration fee.
2. Application Review & Notification
Rio Texas will review applications as they are received. Applicants can expect to be notified of their status within approximately two weeks.
Selected applicants will receive instructions for registering for UMAC 2027 and submitting their paid registration confirmation.
3. Register for UMAC 2027
Anyone interested in attending UMAC 2027 may register directly through the United Methodist Association of Communicators.
If you are applying for a Rio Texas participation stipend, we encourage you to wait until you have been notified of your selection before paying the registration fee.
The UMAC 2027 local church registration rate is $250. Please select the local church rate when registering.
Registration includes admission to the Awards Banquet on Friday, February 26. Additional guest tickets are only needed for guests who are not registered for the gathering.
4. Submit Your Registration Confirmation
After registering, email your paid UMAC 2027 registration confirmation or receipt to Rev. Amanda Banda at amandabanda@riotexas.org.
Once your paid registration is verified, Rio Texas will coordinate payment of your $500 stipend.
Participants are responsible for making their own travel and lodging arrangements. We encourage you to explore the UMAC conference hotel options when planning your trip.
Join UMAC for Free!
Did you know that membership in the United Methodist Association of Communicators is free?
UMAC membership connects you with a community of communicators serving across The United Methodist Church in a variety of ways.
Membership is separate from the paid annual meeting registration, and we encourage you to join!
Questions?
For questions about participation stipends, contact Rev. Amanda Banda, Director of Communications, at amandabanda@riotexas.org.
We look forward to learning, connecting, and growing alongside local church communicators from across Rio Texas!
