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CONVENTION

DIOCESAN CONVENTION

2024 CONVENTION WRAP-UP

 

The 129th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington took 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. You may watch a recording of the proceedings here.

We kicked off Convention with a Zoom Event “Courageous Discipleship: Deepening Our Lives of Faith,” with special guest James Fawcett, the head of Being With, a 10-week course exploring Christian faith and life at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London’s Trafalgar Square.

Convention Sermon, Greetings from Archbishop Naoum and Bishop Mariann’s Address 

 

Guest preacher James Fawcett’s sermon: English | Spanish | Watch the video

Greetings from Archbishop Naoum: Watch the video

Bishop Mariann’s convention address: English | Spanish | Watch the video

Download the PDF with links to resources Bishop Mariann mentioned in her address

 

 

Courageous Discipleship: Deepening Our Lives of Faith

REPORTS

 

Report from the Committee on Diocesan Reparations: Watch the video

The Rev. Jessica Hitchcock on convening a Committee on Congregational Stewardship and Diocesan Support: Watch the video 

The Rev. Canon Andrew Walter on Parish Stewardship Facilities and Finances: Watch the video

Treasurer’s Report: Watch the video | Read the presentation

Report on the 2024 Diocesan Budget: Watch the video

GOOD NEWS MINISTRY VIDEOS

 

At Convention, we shared stories of the Holy Spirit at work in our parishes.

ELECTION RESULTS

 

Two Clergy and two Lay members were elected to Standing Committee on January 27, 2024.

 

Clerical Members of Standing Committee (Elected for a Two-Year Term)
  • The Rev. Meredith Heffner
  • The Rev. Marilyn Jenkins
Lay Members of Standing Committee (Elected for a Two-Year Term)
  • Ms. Iona Harrison
  • Mr. Greg Lebel

CONSTITUTION AND CANONS REPORT

 

The Committee on the Constitution and Canons had five items with proposed amendments to the Constitution and five items with proposed amendments to the Canons. All ten amendments were approved. Read the Constitution and Canons Committee report here.

RESOLUTIONS

Five resolutions were considered at Diocesan Convention on January 27, 2024.  The outcome of the discussions, amendments and subsequent voting is as follows.

 

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 begin 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.
Courageous Discipleship: Diocesan Convention 2024

Convention Registration

The cost to attend Diocesan Convention is $85.00. This includes convention materials, parking, snacks, and lunch.   Don’t forget to being a refillable water bottle.

If you are no longer a member of convention, or if there have been changes to your delegation, please inform Emily Blecksmith, Convention and Data Manager, as soon as possible. Links to forms so that your parish can update their records are listed below.
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.

Guests at Convention

Guest registration is now closed.

Convention Booklet

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.

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 12/7/2023 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

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.