A Conversation with Editors of The Congregationalist
Recorded March 9, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. CT

Since 1849, The Congregationalist has offered a steady, faith-centered voice – educating, inspiring, and connecting Congregational Christians across distances and generations. But what does it mean to steward such a publication? What stories are chosen, what voices are elevated, and how does a magazine remain rooted in the Congregational Way while speaking to an ever-changing world?

On March 9, 2026, the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches hosted a special virtual conversation exploring those questions. Current editor Maggie Helmick was joined by two former editors – Larry Sommers and Marianne King – for an evening of reflection on their journeys to the editor’s chair, their editorial philosophies, and the evolving mission of a magazine that has long been more than ink on paper.

Together, these three stewards of the page reflected on how The Congregationalist has served the life of the church, the discernment involved in shaping each issue, and the ways the publication continues to build bridges between past and present, tradition and innovation, and local and national voices within the Congregational tradition. Participants also shared questions and reflections, making the evening an engaging and thoughtful conversation about the role of storytelling, theology, and community in the life of the church.

A Note About the Recording

Due to a late start on the recording, the video begins a few minutes after the event had already begun. As a result, the introduction and the opening portion of the first question are not included in the video.

At the beginning of the conversation, Maggie Helmick welcomed attendees and introduced the evening’s participants, Larry Sommers and Marianne King.

The opening question invited the editors to reflect on how they imagined pastors, lay leaders, and congregants using the magazine during their time as editor. The recording begins shortly after this question was posed.

To access the recording, you can visit the following link and enter the passcode below:
Click Here to Access the Recording
Passcode: L%+5npE9