Community Summit 2026
April 16-19, 2026
A week-long gathering of service, conversation, and collaboration focused on strengthening the well-being of our neighbors. Together with faith communities, nonprofit partners, civic leaders, and residents, we will come together to meet basic needs, deepen relationships, and imagine shared solutions for our community.
What is the Community Summit?
The Community Summit is an annual initiative of Upper Dublin Lutheran Church that brings people together across sectors to serve, listen, and learn. Over the course of the week, we create space for hands-on service, engaged conversation, and meaningful connection—grounded in a shared commitment to compassion, collaboration, and community well-being.
We are grateful to our sponsors and partners: The Tigris Foundation, the Wissahickon Faith Community Association, and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (ELCA).
Community Leaders Dinner
Speaker, Dennis M. Pullin, President and CEO of Virtua Health
Special Guest, Pennsylvania State Senator Maria Collett
The Summit begins with a Community Leaders Dinner, bringing together faith leaders, nonprofit partners, elected officials, and community advocates for an evening of conversation and connection.
Pennsylvania State Senator Maria Collett will be our special guest for this event.
Our speaker will be Dennis W. Pullin, President and CEO of Virtua Health. Dennis Pullin is a nationally recognized leader in community health, equity, and innovation. Under his leadership, Virtua Health has expanded access to care and strengthened communities through initiatives such as mobile grocery services, affordable housing developments with embedded primary care, and major investments in regional health infrastructure.
Following the keynote, the Tigris Foundation will facilitate guided table conversations designed to spark collaboration, surface emerging needs, and explore shared solutions across sectors.
This evening is intentionally relational—focused on listening, learning, and building trust for the work ahead.
Saturday Day of Service
On Saturday, participants from across the community will come together for hands-on service projects that respond to real, local needs. These projects will partner with nonprofit organizations and community groups working on the front lines of care and compassion.
Our projects will benefit Family Promise, Mattie Dixon Community Cupboard, One House at a Time - Beds for Kids, Feast of Justice, and more!
Whether you serve regularly or are looking for a new way to get involved, this is an opportunity to live out our shared values through tangible acts of service—side by side with neighbors and partners.
Sunday Worship at 8:30 and 10:30AM
Our Special Guest Preacher, Rev. Amy Reumann, Director of Witness in Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
The Summit continues on Sunday morning with worship that grounds the week in gratitude, hope, and shared purpose. This service will lift up themes of community, compassion, and our calling to love our neighbors, offering space for reflection on the service, conversations, and relationships formed throughout the Summit.
Worship is open to all and serves as a spiritual and communal anchor for the work we share.
Sunday Afternoon Community Program 2PM-5PM
Keynote speaker, Kristyn DiDominick, MSW, Executive Director of the BucksMont Collaborative
The Summit culminates on Sunday afternoon with a community-wide program that brings together leaders, organizations, and participants for deeper conversation and connection.
This program will include: a panel of community leaders and partners, opportunities to listen, reflect, and engage. The nursery will be staffed and we will have educational program for kids about food insecurity.
This afternoon is designed to draw together the threads of the entire week—service, leadership, lived experience, and shared concern for our neighbors—and to invite continued collaboration beyond the Summit itself.
Panelists
Obed Arango, Executive Director of Centro de Cultura Arte Trabajo y Educacion
Eli Moraru, Co-founder and President, The Community Grocer
Fran Held, Founder and Executive Director, Mitzvah Circle
The following organizations will be hosting tables to share how they support our community and how you can get involved: Booksmiles, The Bucks Mont Collaborative, The Community Grocer, Montco 30%, Access Services/Montco Multi-Faith Coaltion, The Boys and Girls Club, Eastern PA Trans Equity Project, The Resilience Resource Center, CCATE, Norristown Area Education Foundation, Tigris Foundation, Gentle Gratitude, Boys and Girls Club, State Representative Ben Sanchez, State Senator Maria Collett, Lakeside, and Mitzvah Circle.
Mike Hays, Director and Co-Founder, Montco 30% Project
Join Us
The Community Summit is for anyone who cares about the health, dignity, and well-being of our neighbors. Whether you participate in one event or throughout the week, your presence matters. Together, we strengthen the relationships and shared commitments that help our community flourish—now and into the future.
