Coen Conference with Ashley Boggan

We are excited to welcome Dr. Ashley Boggan as our 2026 Coen Conference speaker. Ashley is an author, laywoman, and the General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History. In this role, she ensures that The UMC understands its past in order to envision a more equitable future for all Methodists. Her most recent books are Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity (2025) and Calling on Fire: Reclaiming the Method of Methodism (2025).

Dr. Boggan will preach on Sunday morning, February 1, in our worship service and then lead a session in the afternoon entitled “Our Past Inspiring Our Future: Reclaiming Methodist Identity and Method”. She is an engaging, exciting, and fresh voice for the church today, and especially for the future of the UMC. You won't want to miss it!

The Coen Conference is made possible by the generosity of Art and Judy Coen.

Afternoon Session

Dr. Boggan will lead an afternoon session from 3-5 PM. This session will be a combination of presentation, conversation, and Q & A. While Dr. Boggan's background and focus is in the UMC, we believe her vision and excitement for the future of the church and our call into innovation will be something everyone will find exciting and hopeful. This is open to everyone and childcare is provided.

The cost of this event is free, but we request you register for the afternoon session - especially if you will utilize the childcare.

Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity

Tuesday (6 weeks), 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.; January 13 - Feb 17

Facilitator: Julie Richards

Wesleyan Vile-tality calls us back to the roots of our identity. Centered on the moment John Wesley “submitted to be more vile" in spreading the love of God to all people, Ashley Boggan argues that Wesleyan vile-tality is at the core of who we are as Methodists. As rule-benders, rabble-rousers, and outcast-embracers, those early Methodists stood out and stood up. She traces how that original identity was lost as the predecessor denominations to The United Methodist Church grew and began to embrace respectability over “vile-tality.” In an accessible and engaging account of a fascinating history, these stories of our past call us to understand who we were, question who we are, and reclaim who we should be. This study will be a great lead up to Dr. Ashley Boggan coming as our 2026 Coen Conference speaker.

*Study book is required and can be purchased through Cokesbury , Amazon, Bookshop.org , or Barnes & Noble.

About Dr. Ashley Boggan

Ashley is an author, laywoman, and the General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History. In this role, she ensures that The UMC understands its past in order to envision a more equitable future for all Methodists. Her most recent books are Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity (2025) and Calling on Fire: Reclaiming the Method of Methodism (2025).

While her focus is on United Methodist, she brings a fresh hope and exciting vision for the future of the church that will move you no matter your background. Her afternoon session is open to everyone.