The 156th Convention of the Diocese of Central New York will take place over two days. The schedule is as follows:
Friday October 18, 2024 – Zoom only (Link TBD)
- This evening will be more “business focused” and will involve votes, resolutions, etc.
- 3:00pm Zoom meeting opens up
- 4:00pm Convention begins
- 8:30pm estimated end time
Saturday, October 19, 2024 – Onsite in Auburn or Online (Link TBD)
- This day will include our guest speaker (live streamed) and the celebration of Holy Eucharist.
- Convention attendees can choose to attend onsite or online (please be sure your registration reflects which. Email us for any changes. )
- 8:15am – onsite doors open and online Zoom meeting opens
- 9:00am – Convention continues, end time – Noon
- Onsite will be at Ss. Peter and John in Auburn.
- For those attending onsite:
- Light refreshments available. Remember to bring your refillable coffee mug or water bottle
- Parking details: TBD (please carpool if possible)
- Convention end time: 12 noon approximately, after Eucharist.
- For those attending onsite:
Monday, September 16
- 6:30 p.m. Pre-Convention Meeting #1 (Registration Link) *You only need to attend one pre-convention meeting.
Wednesday, September 18
- 6:30 p.m. Resolutions Hearing (Registration Link)
Wednesday, September 25
- 6:30 p.m. Pre-Convention Meeting #2 (Registration Link) *You only need to attend one pre-convention meeting.
Tuesday, October 1
- Deadline to submit names for the Memorial List. (Submission Form)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God!
It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Inspired by Psalm 100, “A Joyful Noise” is the theme for this year’s diocesan convention, where we come together as a community to celebrate and give thanks for the boundless love and grace of God. In a spirit of unity and joy, we will lift our voices in praise, acknowledging the Lord’s enduring faithfulness and steadfast love. We recognize together that the joy of the Lord can be found in all we do: from our worship and prayer, to care for the earth, to striving for justice and acceptance for all God’s beloved and beautiful children. This convention will be a time to rejoice, serve with gladness, and reflect on the blessings that enrich our lives and our diocese. Join us in making a joyful noise unto the Lord, embracing the joyous spirit that Psalm 100 so beautifully embodies.
The Very Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, Ph.D
The Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, Ph.D. From 2017 to 2023, she was Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology. She was named the Bill and Judith Moyers Chair in Theology at Union in November 2019 where she is now Dean emeritus. She served as interim Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School from 2023-2024. During the 2023 fall term, she served as Honorary Professor of Global Theology at Emmanuel Theological College in Liverpool, England.
Ordained as an Episcopal Priest in 1983, she currently serves as the Canon Theologian at the Washington National Cathedral and Anglican Communion Canon at Newcastle Cathedral in Newcastle, England.
Prior to EDS@Union, Douglas served as Professor of Religion at Goucher College where she held the Susan D. Morgan Professorship of Religion and is now Professor Emeritus. Before Goucher, she was Associate Professor of Theology at Howard University School of Divinity (1987-2001) and Assistant Professor of Religion at Edward Waters College (1986-1987). Douglas holds a master’s degree in theology and a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Union.
Douglas is the author of many articles and several books including the 2023 Grawemeyer Award winning book, Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter. Her academic work has focused on womanist theology, racial justice issues as well as sexuality and the Black church. Her current research interest involves expanding the moral imaginary in fostering a more just future.
Douglas proudly serves on the New York City Homeless Coalition Board and the Public Religion and Research Institute Board.
Convention registrations were due by Wednesday, September 11.
All clergy, delegates, and others attending Convention must register.
Convention will be held on Zoom on Friday, October 18, and simultaneously online and onsite at Ss. Peter and John Church in Auburn on Saturday, October 19.
If you’re registering on behalf of others…
If you’re completing registration on behalf of someone else or if you’re registering your parish’s delegation, you’ll want to gather some information before you start:
You’ll need a unique email address for each person you register who plans to attend online on one or both days of convention. The email should be the address that the person uses and checks regularly. If you are registering on behalf of someone who is only attending the onsite portion of Convention on Saturday, you may register multiple people with the same email address.
What if I need to change or cancel my registration?
To cancel or change a registration, please notify the diocesan office as soon as possible at convention@cnyepiscopal.org. Then please fill out the Delegate Change Form here. Refunds are available up to October 7.
Monday, September 16th at 6:30 p.m.
and
Wednesday, September 25th at 6:30 p.m.
via Zoom
Sept. 16 Registration Link | Sept. 25 Registration Link
All delegates should plan to attend one of the scheduled Pre-Convention Meetings in order to:
- Review and discuss the proposed diocesan budget for 2025. Q&A will follow the budget presentation.
- Instructions for voting, discussing resolutions, and using the Zoom Chat Box will be reviewed.
- Review and discuss the proposed changes to the diocesan Constitution and Canons.
- Review and discuss all submitted Resolutions.
Once again this year, our Convention business will take place on Zoom, a secure and private online format, on Friday, October 18. Convention will begin at 4:00pm and end at approximately 8:30pm. The Zoom meeting will open at 3:00pm.
We recommend the following to the parishes:
- Ensure that each delegate has access to a reliable internet connection and a device (computer/laptop, tablet, or smartphone) so that they can fully participate in Convention.
- Ensure that each delegate has a unique email address which they will need for online voting.
- If an elected delegate is unable or unwilling to participate in an online gathering, consider inviting an alternative delegate to serve this year.
On Saturday, October 19, delegates and visitors alike will be able to participate in Convention either online through Zoom or onsite at Ss. Peter and John Church in Auburn. Regardless of a delegate’s participation method, those with voice and vote will still be able to participate in any polling that occurs throughout the day. More instructions on polling will be provided to delegates as we get nearer to Convention. The Zoom link as well as the church doors will open at 8:15am on Saturday. Convention will end approximately at 12 noon on Saturday, after Eucharist.
Get your own Joyful Noise swag!
Check out our Bonfire store for t-shirts in all sizes from infant and toddler to youth and adult, journals, tote bags, mugs, lawn signs, and more!
Check out our Redbubble store for stickers, magnets, pet bandanas, phone cases, cinch bags, and more!
Convention Business
If you wish to submit a memorial for someone from your parish that passed away since the 155th Convention on October 21, 2023, please enter their information below. This will be recorded in the Convention Journal. The deadline for in memoriam submissions is Tuesday, October 1.
Resolutions are the legislative instruments used to request that Diocesan Convention take some form of action, whether it’s changing our Canons or requesting the Diocese to support a specific group or cause.
Click here to view the resolutions submitted for the 156th Convention.
Who may submit a resolution?
Any individual or group may submit a resolution to Convention using the Resolution Form linked above.
However, only individuals with Voice at Convention (such as Lay Delegates, Clergy, Lay Representatives of Chapels and Missions, and Youth Representatives) may speak to Resolutions at Convention.
Resolution Hearings
Submitted resolutions will be discussed at a hearing to be held on Wednesday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.
If you have a resolution to submit after the September 11th deadline, it will need to be a “Resolutions from the Floor” and can only be discussed at a special hearing during Convention on October 19th, which will extend the length of that Convention session.
When available, the Convention worship bulletin will be linked here.