In This Edition of Convention Information

In this edition of convention news, we

• invite you to RSVP for workshops, lunch, and childcare,
• announce workshop offerings
• remind everyone of the deadline for certification and delegation registration
• continue to provide links for nominations, resolutions, and hotel reservations.

Scroll down to learn more!

Hearing a desire to connect with others from across the diocese and great interest in opportunities to learn from the experiences of others, we are offering a variety of workshops to begin 2023. These optional elements of our 39^th annual diocesan convention will be online before and after the in-person convention as well as in person while gathered at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Johnson City. 

In-Person Workshops at Convention

Join us on Friday and Saturday, February 3 & 4, as we welcome the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Augustine to our diocesan convention for two special sessions on racial reconciliation and the American church. Each of these two in-person sessions are open to all – delegates, visitors, and the wider public. They will also be livestreamed and recorded for viewing later.

Union Ave. Books will be onsite to sell copies of Rev. Dr. Augustine’s book. For those wishing to read in advance, copies are available from your local bookstores and online retailers. Learn more and register here...

Trusted members of our diocesan leadership, especially through the Bishop’s CoVID Advisory Board, will engage us in the urgent topic of mental health first aid on Friday, February 3, at 3:00 pm. Dr. Ronda Redden Reitz, Rev. Dr. Howard Hess, and Ms. Dianne Britton will make a presentation and then invite attendees into small group discussion so that we might all: increase our awareness of the need for mental health first aid, understand and address the deficit in resources, be encouraged in recognition of the signs, and know how to connect folks to resources for health and help. Learn more and register here...

Our very own Rev. Dr. Timothy (Tim) Holder, Rector of St Thomas Episcopal Church in Elizabethton will share their creative and energetic Latinx and Appalachian ministries throughout Carter County, TN. Join this workshop on Saturday, February 4, at 1:00 pm to: Hear stories of Quinceañeras, dedications to the Virgin of Guadalupe, and outreach through Back-to-School packs, hear music and stories of grounding heritage as an Appalachian community through bluegrass-based special services, find out how your community can reach deep into its own heritage, and be inspired in how to expand your ministry field to include missing demographics from your area. Learn more and register here...

Online Pre-Convention Workshops and Lenten Lunch & Learn Sessions

We’ve listened to previous convention participants and diocesan leaders and are happy to announce numerous workshop topics that will be made available to all during the week prior to convention and during Lent.  These online offerings during the evening and at lunchtime should provide an opportunity for most to engage in live presentations and discussions. Each will also be recorded for later viewing.

We have simplified the digital certification of election for parish leadership to file their delegates, alternates, and clergy for the convention. We ask that the Rector, Priest-in-Charge, Deacon-in-Charge, Vicar, or, in the event of no clerical leadership, the Senior Warden or equivalent position on the chapel board certify the form. 

You can go to our diocesan convention website to learn how many delegates your community may send, complete the certification form online, and register and pay for your entire delegation at any time. You may also email Jon Humber at jhumber@dioet.org for a paper version of the certification form or to complete other steps by other methods.

Please note: Delegates and clergy will be registered through your parish as a block, which will include your lunch fee.

We have released the 2023 delegate profile. In it, the role and responsibilities of the delegates and participants are outlined with time, resources, and interest commitments. The profile will help you and your community consider whom to send to the convention.

The latest openings in elected diocesan leadership including General Convention deputies are open for nominations. Head to our convention website to see each of the open positions, descriptions of each group, and to nominate yourself or someone for these positions. 

"Any Delegate, Vestry, the Bishop and Council, the Chancellor, the Chair of the Committee on Constitution and Canons, and the Registrar of the Diocese may submit resolutions for consideration by the Convention by delivering them to the Secretary of the Convention at least thirty days prior to the date set for the Convention. They may also introduce resolutions at the Convention in accordance with the Rules of Order."

-From Title I, Canon 3, Sec. 10 of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of East Tennessee

Proposed resolutions must be received at Diocesan House no later than January 6, 2023 to be posted on our convention website and included in convention packet. Resolutions proposed after January 6, will be made from the floor of convention with a requirement of a 2/3rds vote from the convention in order to be considered immediately. In accords with convention rule 3.03, resolutions received after the resolution deadline may be referred to Bishop and Council for interim action or to successive meetings of the convention. 

You can go to the diocesan convention website to download a resolution guide that is helpful in formatting your resolution. We would like to note that this upcoming convention is the convention to submit resolutions for the next General Covention. 

This year, we've acquired room blocks at three area hotels. The deadline for reserving your stay at one of these hotels with our group discount is Saturday, December 31, 2022. 

We have redesigned our diocesan convention website. There you will find certification, nomination, resolution, hotel, registration, and support information as well as the delegate profile and videos. As we approach the convention, we will release more information on workshops, non-delegate registration, event schedules, and more. Stay up-to-date on the 39th annual convention by going to our convention website.

We have also added additional support resources. Visit the contact page for our contact information including business hours, contact email, phone number, and chat support.