We provide the place.
You provide the Martins and the Katies.
Join us in Champaign, IL on Saturday, March 28, 2026 to grow as Christian men and women, meet new friends, get to know each other, and have fun. The conference is open to Lutheran young adults, ages 18-30. Married or single are welcome. Registration is required, as capacity is limited. Please register no later than Friday, March 20th.
Conference Schedule
The conference is Saturday from 10:00 AM–5:30 PM. Optional activities are planned for Friday and Saturday nights. All are invited to stay through Sunday for Bible class, the Divine Service, and Sunday lunch.
Friday, March 27
- 7:00–9:00 PM — Registration / Fellowship, Board Games, and Chit-chat
- 9:00 PM — Compline (prayer at the close of the day)
Saturday, March 28
- 9:30–10:00 AM — Registration / Meet-and-Greet
- 10:00 AM — Matins
- 10:45 AM — Welcome, Announcements
- 11:00 AM – Plenary 1 – Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Boyle
- 12:00–1:00 PM — Lunch (provided)
- 1:00–2:15 PM — Game Time (board games, puzzles, cards, etc. provided)
- 2:15–3:15 PM — Plenary 2 – Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Boyle
- 3:15–4:15 PM — Breakout Sessions for Men and Women (Rev. Geoffrey Boyle & Rev. Michael Schuermann; Mrs. Nicole Boyle & Mrs. Katie Schuermann)
- 4:15–5:30 PM — Free Time (activities suggested below)
- 5:30 PM — Evening Prayer
- 6:00 PM — Dinner on your own
- 7:30–9:00 PM — Post-conference activities
- 9:00 PM — Compline (prayer at the close of the day)
Sunday, March 29
- 9:30–10:15 AM — Sunday Bible Class
- 10:30 AM — Palm Sunday Divine Service
- 11:45 AM — Sunday Lunch (provided)
Lodging
Lodging is on your own. There are many hotel options in Champaign. We suggest making use of Priceline, Expedia, or Kayak to find a good deal. Or give airbnb a try.
Transportation / Parking
Champaign is served by Amtrak, daily buses from the Chicago area (Peoria Charter, Greyhound), and a handful of daily flights. Regional airports are within a couple hours of the U of I, as are major airports in Chicago (O’Hare and Midway) and Indianapolis.
University Lutheran (UniLu) is located at the northeast corner of 6th and Chalmers at the campus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Our street address is:
University Lutheran Church
604 E. Chalmers St.
Champaign, IL 61820
You may park for free in the university parking lot that is at the southwest corner of 6th and Chalmers (blue circle) or the lot west of 6th Street (red circle). Street parking around the church is free on Sundays. Many University permit lots are free on the evenings and weekends. A full campus parking map is available. When in doubt, check the parking lot sign for when permits are required or not.
Other Information
Cost
This is a free conference. Registration is required. Space is limited, so we ask that you please let us know if you cannot attend after registering.
Age Limit
Registration is open to Lutheran young adults, ages 18-30.
Meals and Snacks
Saturday lunch is provided. If you stay for Sunday lunch, that also is provided. Some snacks will be offered on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Gluten-free and nut-free options will be made available for both meals and snack times. All other dietary restrictions cannot be fully accommodated.
Every other meal is on your own. The immediate area overflows with a myriad of delicious dining options, all within walking distance.
Accessibility
UniLu is an older facility and is not universally accessible. The first-floor, including a bathroom, a common room, and the sanctuary, is wheelchair accessible. The basement (location of games and meals) is not.
Babies/Children?
We will not turn away parents with nursing infants/lap babies. However, our facility is not designed to keep unsupervised children safe, and there will be no childcare offered on-site. This conference is intended to engage Lutheran young adults (age 18+) in a deep conversation about being men and women in Christ and, therefore, may not be entirely appropriate for youths.
What should I bring?
Bring yourself and, if spending the night, clothing/toiletries as such to be socially acceptable and to serve your neighbor in Christian love. Otherwise, you may bring a Bible, a Lutheran Service Book, a game that you want to play with others, a frisbee or other yard games, etc.
Free Time
Free time is precisely that: free time. It will be undirected. We encourage non-phone activities with friends new and old. Some possibilities:
- Explore campus
- Japan House / University Arboretum
- Jarling’s Custard Cup
- Hang out at UniLu and chat
- Coffee Shops
- Yard games on the Main Quad
- More gaming at UniLu