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54th Annual Diocesan Convention

Welcome to the information hub for the 2025 Diocesan Convention!

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Convention Communications

The Diocesan Office will regularly send out electronic newsletters to a select mailing list with important details regarding the convention. You will find them posted in this section. 

Convention Info

Convention Info

Details

The 54th Annual Diocesan Convention will be held Friday, February 21-Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Destin-Ft. Walton Beach Convention Center and hosted by Christ the King Episcopal Church, Santa Rosa Beach. 

Hotels

A selection of hotels near the convention location have been secured and offer group rates. Deadlines to make your reservation apply. Delegates should coordinate reservations with their church office.

Pre-Convention Meeting

Thursday, January 30, TIME TBD on Zoom

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All clergy and lay delegates are asked to attend the online only Pre-Convention Meeting. Bishop Russell and various staff members will provide important details related to the business of the convention including, budget, proposed resolutions, voting, schedule, etc. 

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The link to join the Zoom gathering will be emailed to all registered delegates prior to the meeting. 

Schedule - subject to minor changes

Friday, February 21, 2025​

Details coming soon

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Saturday, February 22, 2025

Details coming soon

 

Business

Budget

Not yet available.

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Want to review the 2024 Budget? Click here.

Delegates

Delegates are both clergy and lay members of the Diocesan Convention who have seat, voice, and vote during the business meeting.

  • Clergy delegates are parochial (assigned to a church) and canonically resident. Clergy who meet this criteria are automatically delegates; however, they must be registered to attend the convention. 

  • A lay delegate is a communicant in good standing of their congregation and is elected by fellows members to represent their church at the convention. Each church is entitled to a specific number of lay delegates based on number of congregants in good standing. All lay delegates must be registered to attend the convention. The registration form includes a section to report the date the lay delegate was elected. Per diocesan canons, all lay delegates must be elected and certified at least 60 days prior to the start of the convention. This years deadline is December 23, 2024. 

  • Each church is also entitled to an equal number of alternate delegates as delegates. Alternates are used to replace a lay delegate in the event the lay delegate can no longer serve. All alternates must be registered whether they plan on attending the convention or not. A delegate change form must be submitted in order for an alternate to take the place of a lay delegate and receive the appropriate voting credentials.  

 

Delegate Changes

As mentioned above, an alternate is used to replace a lay delegate in the event they can no longer serve. A delegate change form must be submitted to the diocesan office in order for an alternate to take the place of a lay delegate.  

Reports - Due January 14, 2025

Commissions, committees, and program coordinators are asked to file written reports on the work and mission of their respective ministries over the course of the previous year. If you are the chair person of a commission, committee or program coordinator, please submit your report in Word format to jenn@diocgc.org. 

Resolutions to Amend Canons - Due November 23, 2024

Canon 28 requires all proposals altering or amending canons should be presented in writing 90 days prior to the opening of the Convention, to be distributed to congregations 60 days prior to the opening of the Convention.

Resolution for General Proposed Actions - Due January 7, 2025

A general resolution refers to a proposed action or decision that is presented to the legislative body of the diocese for consideration and potential adoption, essentially acting as a legislative vehicle to enact changes or take stances on specific issues within the diocese.

Rules of Order

Rules of Order are the parliamentary procedures that govern the proceeding of our annual convention.

Standing Committee Nominations - Due January 24, 2025

The Standing Committee is the body of lay and clergy members of the Diocese authorized by the Canons of the Episcopal Church as the Bishop’s Council of Advice; members are elected by the annual Diocesan Convention or appointed by the Bishop.   The Standing Committee’s major responsibility is to serve as the Bishop’s Council of Advice; they also have responsibilities involving such varied matters as the disposition of property, the election and consecration of bishops, ecclesiastical discipline as defined in Title IV, and the approval of candidates for ordained ministry.   Each year new clergy & lay members are elected / appointed to replace retiring members or vacant terms. 

Activities

Be sure to check back to this section often, as we will be adding additional activities and details as we have them!

Ministry Fair

This year there will be an expanded Ministry Fair (or exhibit hall) highlighting the diverse and vibrant ministries happening across our diocese. All exhibitors must be approved through the diocese office. To submit a request for space, please send an email to the Rev. Lydia Johnson. Registration and fee will be required once approved. 

Workshops

There will be multiple workshop offerings at this year's convention. Stay tuned for the lineup! Workshops will be open for anyone - delegate or visitor- to attend!

Worship

All of the worship opportunities during the convention, whether it be a Daily Office or Holy Eucharist, are open to anyone who would like to attend. More information to come.

Registration

All attendees to the annual convention are asked to register - even spectators - so that we have an accurate headcount for meals, seating, and materials. Fee will vary depending on participation type. 

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Churches of delegates are asked to register their delegates together at one time and payment is required prior to the start of the convention. Certification of Delegates will take place during the registration process. 

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The point-of-contact for all registrations is Jenn Roberts at jenn@diocgc.org. 

VOTING CLERGY/LAY DELEGATE REGISTRATION

CLOSES ON JANUARY 24, 2025

 

Fee rate available soon.

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Churches are asked to complete the registration/certification form* and make payment for their delegation.

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This registration form is for the following:

  • Clergy (parochial and canonically resident in this diocese). 

  • Lay delegates. 

  • Alternate delegates (whether attending or non-attending). 

  • **Youth delegates. Free

  • **Youth alternates. Free

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*During the registration process, you will be asked to certify the election of lay and alternate delegates. By selecting yes, you will be prompted to provide the date of election.

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**Youth delegates should be registered by their home church.

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Each delegate must have their own individual email address and mobile device (smart phone, tablet, laptop, etc). This is a requirement due to the application we will use for quorum verification and voting.​

NON-DELEGATE ATTENDEE

REGISTRATION

CLOSES ON FEBRUARY 15, 2025

 

Fee rate available soon.

 

This registration form is for the following attendees:

  • Non-voting Clergy (retired or non-parochial, and non-canonically resident in this diocese)

  • Clergy Spouses

  • Standing Committee Members

  • Exhibitors

  • All other visitors

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​Contact: jenn@diocgc.org

Discipleship. Development. Discernment.
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