"Conventions are important times to gather in community."

by the Right Reverend Thomas Clark Ely, Bishop of Vermont
Mountain Echo
July/August 2005

When we gather for Diocesan Convention at Lake Morey Inn this coming November 4-5, 2005, it will mark my 5th Diocesan Convention as your bishop. I’m not sure all bishops look forward to Diocesan Convention the way I do, but I do indeed look forward to this annual gathering of our diocesan community, represented in the clergy and lay delegates from our congregations. Conventions are important times to gather in community for worship, education, legislation, and strengthening the bonds of our common life and ministry as a diocese through conversation, fellowship and shared decision making.

This year promises to be a very exciting convention. For one thing, the setting will be different, and so the “feel” of Convention will be different. Most of us will spend the night at Lake Morey Inn as well as take our meals together and be able to enjoy both social and learning time together. One of my hopes is that those serving as elected leaders in their congregations will benefit from the time spent with colleagues.

The theme of Convention is Global Mission. On Friday afternoon there will be three “learning tracks,” or workshops, offered, and people will choose one for their focus. The three areas of the world we are focusing our attention on include Central America, Africa and the Middle East. Each learning track will be devoted to one of these three parts of the world, and experienced leaders will help guide us in deepening our awareness of the opportunities for mission in each area. Our worship will feature liturgical expressions from these various cultures. The Right Reverend Martín Barahona, Bishop of El Salvador and the Anglican Primate of Central America, will preach at the Saturday Eucharist.

Of course, there is a good deal of business to conduct during our time together. We will elect our alternate deputies to General Convention 2006, as well as members of the Diocesan Council, Standing Committee and other key leadership posts. Here I would extend an invitation for you to consider your own gifts and skills and offer yourself for service though one of the many diocesan ministry positions up for election or appointment at Convention. The nominations committee (see article below) is actively seeking people for many important positions of leadership. Perhaps you, or someone you know is just the right person for a particular ministry.

Another feature of Convention business is the resolutions we discuss and act upon. We anticipate several this year, including resolutions about clergy compensation, the revision of our Diocesan Canons, our diocesan budget and global mission opportunities. Perhaps there is an important item that you think should be address by a resolution at our Diocesan Convention. If so, your Resolutions Committee (see Page C) is ready to assist you in crafting that resolution. There is a definite deadline for submitting resolutions, so please don’t delay.

Convention is also a time when many parish, diocesan and diocesan related ministries are on display. Lake Morey Inn offers ample space for those interested in a display table. We are especially interested in parish displays related to our theme of Global Mission. If you have a display or are thinking about an idea for a display, please be in touch with Sarah Gallagher (864-0471; sarahg@stpaulscathedralvt.org).

We prepare for Convention through a series of mailings to clergy and parish delegates and then through three Ministry Fair Days held on three different Saturdays in October. The Ministry Fairs feature morning seminars of practical ministry ideas for any and all parish members, and the afternoon features a discussion of the items that will be on the business agenda of Convention, including the diocesan budget, resolutions, and nominations. All parish members are invited to these days, not just the elected delegates. This year the Ministry Fairs will be held from 9-4 on October 1 in Montpelier, on October 15 in Rutland and on October 29 in Brattleboro. Why not mark you calendars now and plan to attend!

The Dispatch of Business Committee and others are hard at work planning for this year’s Diocesan Convention. I hope you will be a part of the action in some way or another. For more information about anything related to Diocesan Convention please don’t hesitate to call the Diocesan Office, or visit the diocesan Web site, www.dioceseofvermont.org, where you can find lots of information about last year’s Convention as well as all the new information being added in preparation for Diocesan Convention 2005.

Faithfully,
+Thomas