People of God in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio,
I am delighted to extend the official call to our 150th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio, the beginning of our 150th year as a diocese together, our first two-day convention since the pandemic, and my first among you as your bishop!
Beyond a canonically-required governance meeting, a diocesan convention is a time to gather the leaders of our communities together to build relationship across distance, to increase our capacity for mission and discipleship, and to celebrate our unique ministry as the Body of Christ in Southern Ohio. While we will again offer our convention as a hybrid gathering, I hope to see as many delegates, clergy, and visitors as possible in-person at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington.
We will be joined by my friend and colleague, the Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, retired archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster in the Anglican Church of Canada. Together, we’ll explore our convention theme, “Gather, Transform, Send,” a theme derived from a model from the College for Congregational Development. Archbishop Skelton and I will offer a joint plenary on Friday afternoon, followed by three sets of in-person-only workshops, each set of workshops focused on a segment of our theme.
Friends, I am so excited to gather together for this learning, for worship, for fellowship, and yes, for the holy and community-oriented work of church governance. Please use the links below to access more information about our annual gathering and to complete your registration. We will see you there!
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Kristin Uffelman White
X Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Ohio
DATES & DEADLINES
| October 9 Deadline for resolutions, requested deadline for nominations |
| November 5 Final deadline for nominations |
| November 6 Pre-Convention meeting and nominee forum |
| November 8 Deadline to register for an exhibit boothSubmission deadline for committee and commission reports, necrologies, photosRegistration deadline |
| November 22-23 The 150th Diocesan Convention in Wilmington, Ohio |
PREPARE FOR CONVENTION
The work of convention extends well beyond the two days we’ll be gathered in Wilmington. Please use the following links for any required or optional submissions, to review materials ahead of time, and to register.
- Review the draft schedule
- Read about our keynote speaker and workshops
- Submit a form to verify, change, or certify lay delegates
- Submit an annual commission or committee report
- Submit your congregation’s necrology
- Submit photos from your local faith community for our slideshow
- Review the current nominees for elected office
- Review the 2025 Draft Budget and any proposed resolutions – will be available on this page once finalized
- Refer to our Constitution and Canons
- Refer to the 2024 Rules of Order – will be available on this page after October’s Diocesan Council meeting
- Reserve hotel rooms
- Apply for an exhibit booth
- Register to attend the pre-convention meeting and nominee forum
- Register to attend convention
PRE-CONVENTION MEETING
The Pre-Convention Meeting and Nominee Forum for the 150th Diocesan Convention is scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 6:30 pm on Zoom.
With time for our business meeting at convention limited, the pre-convention meeting is an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about proposed resolutions and the budget ahead of time. All delegates and voting clergy are invited and expected to attend.
Our pre-convention meeting will include time for nominees to briefly introduce themselves to the voting members of our convention, articulating their sense of call to their respective offices and to help electors make informed choices.
All those attending the pre-convention meeting must register (separate from the registration for convention itself). The meeting will be recorded for later viewing.
Please note: this is a date change from what was originally shared on the website.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
There are several elected positions of leadership in our diocese. We seek nominees for these positions that are broadly representative of diocesan demographics. Advances in technology have made it possible for people of all areas of the diocese to serve without the time and expense of traveling to commission meetings.
Please prayerfully consider if God is calling you to serve in a position of leadership in our diocese and whether there are others you know with gifts, skills, and experience for these roles that you might encourage to self-nominate.
During our 2024 Diocesan Convention, we will elect:
- Budget Committee: one cleric for a three-year term (Class of 2027)
- Diocesan Council: two clerics and three laypersons for three-year terms (Class of 2027); one cleric to a one-year, unexpired term (Class of 2025); and one layperson to a two-year, unexpired term (Class of 2026)
- Standing Committee: one cleric and one lay-person to three-year terms (Class of 2027); and one cleric to a two-year, unexpired term (Class of 2026).
- Trustees of the Diocese: one lay-person to a five-year term (Class of 2029); one lay-person or cleric to a four-year, unexpired term (Class of 2028)
- Trustees of the Church Foundation: one lay-person or cleric to a five-year term (Class of 2029); one lay-person or cleric for a three-year, unexpired term (Class of 2027)
- Procter Center Board of Advisors: one lay-person or cleric to a three-year term (Class of 2027)
In 2024, we do not need to elect members of the following bodies: Regional Disciplinary Board, Deputies to General Convention, Deputies to Province V Synod.
Click here for a full list of vacancies including descriptions of the elected service to the diocese. The requested deadline for submissions is October 9. The final deadline is November 5.
NEW: PHOTO SLIDESHOW
To share the story of ministry in our local faith communities, all congregations and affiliated organizations are invited to share up to ten photos that will be incorporated into our slideshow that will run while we are not actively organized for business.
Final selection of photos will be determined by the communications office of the diocese. Please avoid submitting photos that:
- depict inanimate objects or buildings – we want to see people engaged in ministry!
- are blurry – only clear, high quality photos will show up well enlarged by the projector.
- show faces of people seeking our outreach services – respecting the dignity of every human being means we can’t assume strangers’ consent in having their photo shared, especially when seeking help.
- include any overlaid text – just send the photo, please don’t add any captions or any kind of text in the image; we’ll add it!
- are gallery-style – one photo at a time, please!
Contact Canon Katie Forsyth with any questions. Please submit your photos by November 8th.
LOCATION
Our Convention Center
The Roberts Centre
123 Gano Rd.
Wilmington, OH 45177
Overnight Accommodations
The deadline for registering for rooms at the Holiday Inn at the Roberts Centre has passed and the block is full. You can find a list of other nearby hotels here.
REGISTRATION
The 150th Convention of the Diocese of Southern Ohio will take place on Friday and Saturday, November 22-23, 2024. The convention will be a hybrid event – voting clergy and delegates can attend either in person at the Roberts Center in Wilmington, Ohio (preferred), or virtually via Zoom.
All registrations – whether as an individual or delegation, and whether attending in-person or online – must be submitted by November 8th.
Click here to download a printable flyer to display in your church.
