Signs of the Times in a Changing Appalachia

56th Annual Gathering
September 25-27, 2026

YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly
84 Blue Ridge Cir, Black Mountain, NC 28711
blueridgeassembly.org

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Speakers for the Weekend:

Dan Rhodes, Th.D.--Clinical Professor and Faculty Coordinator of Contextual Education at Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral studies and a Co-Founder and Co-President of the Black Mountain School of Theology & Community.

Brian DeRouen—runs the Alderson Hospitality House in West Virginia with his family. As an undergrad he studied English and Psychology as well as doing a minor in Nonviolence.

Lauren Joyner, Esq—Pisgah Institute, Immigration Lawyer.

Jen Collier Wilson—Director of Community and Volunteer Engagement for Pisgah Legal Services.

Joanne Weber—CCA board member and retired educator with volunteer experience in food pantries.

Jesse Boeckermann—Western Region Director of External Engagement for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte

Sr. Mary Prinski, OP- Dominican Sister of Adrian.

Bishop John Stowe - Catholic Diocese of Lexington

Bishop Michael Martin— Diocese of Charlotte