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DIOCESAN CONVENTION

2024 Diocesan Convention

The 129th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington will take place on Saturday, January 27, 2024 in person at Washington National Cathedral. Diocesan Convention is the yearly legislative meeting presided over by the bishop and consisting of the clergy of and elected representatives of its congregations. It considers the diocesan budget and other matters regarding the mission and ministry of the diocese.

This page will be updated with information to help attendees prepare for Convention as it becomes available. 

FRIDAY NIGHT PRE-CONVENTION EVENT

To Be Determined

Please hold the evening of Friday, January 26, 2024 available for an annual pre-convention event. Plans are in the works to provide participants with an uplifting and enriching experience! 

CONVENTION ATTENDANCE INFORMATION

General

    • Parking in the Cathedral garage will be free to Convention attendees.
    • Check-in for Convention begins at 8:00 a.m. in the front nave of Washington National Cathedral.
    • Convention will beging at 9:00 a.m. with worship.
    • We encourage attendees to bring a refillable water bottle. The Cathedral has water stations available for when it’s time to top up.
    • Hospitality, including coffee and light snacks will be available throughout the proceedings.
    • Boxed lunches will be provided.
    • We anticipate the proceedings will end mid-afternoon.

Convention Booklet

The Convention Booklet will be available to download closer to the date of Convention. Among other things, the booklet contains FAQs, maps, Rules of Order, agenda, election and voting data, budget, reports, and resolutions.

Electronic Voting

All clergy and lay delegates should bring a fully charged electronic device (cell phone, tablet or laptop) to Convention, as voting for elected positions will take place electronically.

Safety Protocols

In order to ensure our time together is as risk-free as possible, we will follow several safety protocols for our collective health. Those registered for Convention will be sent specific guidance closer to the day of the event.

    • Clergy and lay delegates should be vaccinated and boosted.
    • Masking is optional.
    • Clergy and lay delegates who do not feel well on the day of Convention should remain at home.

Child Care

Child care will not be provided. To help offset the cost of childcare on January 27th, we will reimburse up to $80 per child. Please contact Allen Fitzpatrick for additional information. The Diocese of Washington appreciates the efforts of those caring for young children to attend Diocesan Convention.

Delegates, Alternates, and Updates

Information on being a Convention Delegate

If you are no longer a member of convention, or know that there have been changes to your delegation, please let us know as soon as possible.

    • You can find forms for updating your Vestry and Convention Delegate elections here.
    • A list of Delegates and Alternates as of 12/15/2022 can be found here.

If you are a lay member of Convention and unable to attend, now is the time to secure an Alternate Delegate for your parish. Alternates should be certified as soon as possible so that they can be sent RSVP materials. Seating of an Alternate form

Resolutions to Convention

Clergy and Lay Delegates to Diocese Convention may submit resolutions for consideration at Diocesan Convention. Under ouf Rules of Order, proposed resolutions must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 26, 2023. Resolutions to Convention may be submitted to the Secretary of the Convention beginning no sooner than October 29, 2023. Once the Committee on Resolutions has reviewed all the submitted resolutions, the resolutions will be shared with members of the Convention and available here. 

We will hold online hearings in early January so that clergy and lay delegates may discuss resolutions in advance of Convention (Dates and times TBD).

Nominees for Elected Office

At the 2024 Convention, nominees for Standing Commitee will stand for election. We will post nominee information after the nominee process is completed in the fall of 2023. 

Diocesan Convention Archives

Here you’ll find the archives of materials from recent Diocesan Conventions. Official records for each year’s convention can be found in the Journal.