Beloved in Christ,

After consultation with the heads of ECMN's elected bodies, other bishops, and chancellors throughout the Episcopal Church, and in keeping with the current guidance of the CDC, ECMN has decided to move the 2020 Convention scheduled for September 25-26 online .

We are working on the details, but the rough outline will include three separate sessions over the span of the weekend during which our in-person Convention was originally scheduled.

Friday, September 25 (evening)
The Business meeting is for voting delegates only. We'll be working hard to ensure that we can attend to the annual canonical requirements of passing a budget and electing people for the Standing Committee, Commission on Ministry and Trustees.

We will be scheduling a practice session for clergy and lay delegates to become familiar with the online platform and practice voting ahead of the actual convention. We'll be sharing more details as this date approaches.

Saturday, September 26 (morning)
This session will be for absolutely all to attend, and will center on formation, learning and workshops. We have much to learn together, and the Holy Spirit is inviting us to process so much in light of living in the midst of a global pandemic in a world marred by centuries of systemic racism and brutal injustice.

Sunday, September 27 (morning)
An ECMN-wide virtual worship will be held with Bishop Loya and others from ECMN live-streamed.

Lay Delegate Certification - DEADLINE EXTENDED
We will still need to certify lay delegates for the business portion of Convention. To that end, please print out your Lay Delegate Certification form , fill it out and return to the Secretary of Convention by July 15th. Details and instructions are listed on the form.

Apply for an Elected Body - DEADLINE EXTENDED
ECMN needs leaders to apply to be considered for the Commission on Ministry, the Standing Committee and Trustees, which are all elected during ECMN Convention. Please fill out the on-line application form and fill out the signature support form. The application deadline is being extended to July 15th. Please consider applying today!

While we will miss being together in one space, this is an unparalleled opportunity to innovate, remove barriers of distance and time and economics in order to throw open the doors to all of ECMN to gather, learn and share from all corners of the Beloved Community.

Look for more information and registration coming in the following days and weeks.

Faithfully,

Karen B. Olson
Missioner for Ministry
Secretary of Convention and Council

The Right Reverend Craig Loya
X Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota

The Rev. Mark Kelm
Parliamentarian to Convention

Doug Franzen
Chancellor