Practice & Presence: A Gathering for Christians in Health Care

Practice & Presence 2026

This year’s gathering will consider what it means that we are creatures—made, loved, and held by a God who entered the world in human form. Drawing on Scripture and the rich theological tradition of creaturely life, we will explore focal points that speak directly to the experience of those laboring in health care today: 

• disability, as a witness to the full dignity of embodied human life;
• rest, as a practice of trust in the One who sustains what we cannot;
• and beauty, as an invitation to participate in God's ongoing work of renewal.

Join us as we learn, worship, and break bread together, in hopes that our time may lead us back to ourselves, to one another, and to the God in whom our hearts find their rest.

Friday, September 11, 2026

2:00 p.m. – Registration 

3:00 p.m. – Worship & Welcome

3:30 p.m. – Plenary 1

4:45 p.m. – Break 

5:00 p.m. – Dinner & Fellowship

6:30 p.m. – Plenary 2

7:45 p.m. – Adjourn

Saturday, September 12, 2026

8:30 a.m. – Coffee & Light Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Morning Prayer & Worship

9:15 a.m. – Plenary 3

10:30 a.m. – Morning Break

11:00 a.m. – Breakout Session 1

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:15 p.m. – Breakout Session 2 

1:45 p.m. – Break

2:00 p.m. – Breakout Session 3

3:00 p.m. – Break

3:30 p.m. – Afternoon Prayer & Worship

3:45 p.m. – Plenary 4

5:00 p.m. – Adjourn

This agenda is subject to change. Updates will be reflected on this page as they are made. Check back often for updates.

Plenaries will be announced in April! Check back soon.

Cancellations

We know that sometimes, plans change. If you can no longer attend Practice & Presence, you may cancel your registration by emailing duketmc@div.duke.edu by 8/29/2025 for a full refund, less a $30 processing fee. Cancellations made on or after 9/1/2025 are non-refundable.