The Festival of Faith & Writing: A Recap

Written By Jennifer L. Holberg

In the days since the 2026 Festival of Faith & Writing, we’ve been grateful—deeply so—for each of you who traveled from near and far to be part of this remarkable gathering. What a privilege to host over 2,000 attendees from 45 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and the UK and South Korea. Over three days, readers and writers came together to explore the intersections of faith, story, and the creative life through sessions, panel conversations, planned and impromptu meetups, and shared moments of discovery.

As I said in my closing remarks at the Saturday evening plenary, we remain committed to being what Stephanie Duncan Smith calls “a true incarnational event.” That’s exactly what we are aiming for, and it’s why, as a Center, we continue to prioritize in-person gatherings. There’s just something about being in the same spaces together. As the Psalmist proclaims, “how good it is for brothers and sisters to be together.”

Since the Festival’s close, we’ve loved reading about how its resonance continues in the reflections many of you have already begun to share. We invite you to linger a little longer by reading these thoughtful responses from attendees and speakers, each offering a distinct perspective on the Festival experience:

What a joy to see so many of you at FFW2026. We are already planning to welcome all of you back in 2028!

Jennifer L. Holberg

Jennifer L. Holberg (PhD, University of Washington) is the Director of the Calvin Center for Faith & Writing. In 1998, she joined the Calvin University English department, where she is now professor and chair. She is also author of Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith.

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Dialogue Then and Now: Continuing the Conversation