158th Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York
Saturday, October 17th, 2026
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (one day only; end time is approximate)
Draft Convention Agenda
(all times subject to change)
7:30 AM Arrival and registration for onsite participants
8:00 AM Zoom login for online participants
9:00 AM Convention Called to Order – Session 1
12:00 PM Lunch break
12:45 PM Convention reconvenes – Session 2
2:30 PM Convention Eucharist
4:00 PM Convention adjourns
*All times are subject to change
Where is this year’s Convention:
On-site at Trinity Episcopal Church, Watertown (227 Sherman St, Watertown, NY 13601) and online via Zoom if you cannot attend on-site.
Parking Information: Parking is free and available on the street or in the Stone Street Parking Lot behind the church. (171 Stone St, Watertown, NY 1360)
Local hotel information for anyone wishing to stay overnight (No “blocks” of rooms available):
- Spark by Hilton Watertown
- Hampton Inn Watertown
- Hilton Garden Inn Watertown
- Fairfield by Marriott Watertown
Parish Certification of Delegates to Convention:
Certification may be completed by the Rector, Vicar, Priest-in-Charge, Wardens, or Clergy of the Vestry. Questions about certification may be addressed to the Secretary of Convention at [email protected].
To certify your delegation to convention, please complete this form.
To change the already certified delegation, please complete this form.
Register for Convention:
Convention registrations are due by Friday, September 11th:
NOTE: Certification as a delegate does not register you for Convention. Those two things are separate. You must still register if you are certified as a delegate.
Convention registrations are due by Friday, September 11th. Links are provided above under Register for Convention.
All clergy, delegates, and others (“guests”) attending the Convention must register. Registration fees for Convention are:
- Clergy and Lay Delegates – $25.00
- Youth Delegates – Free
- Guests – $25.00
To cancel or change a registration, please notify the diocesan office as soon as possible at [email protected]. Refunds are available up to October 2nd.
To change your Delegate status, please click here and fill out the Delegate Change Form. If you need any assistance, please contact the diocesan office.
Important Deadlines and Meeting Dates for 158th Convention:
- June 30th – Delegate certification deadline. Contact Deb Denny to discuss a late submission.
- September 9th – Deadline to submit a resolution
- September 9th – Deadline for a nomination for elections
- September 11th – Agenda items to be addressed at Convention – email the Convention email with a request to add something to the day’s agenda.
- September 11th – Convention registration deadline (See links above)
- September 16th at 6:30 PM on Zoom – Pre-Convention meeting – Zoom Registration Link
- September 17th at 6:30 PM on Zoom – Resolutions hearing – Zoom Registration Link
- September 21st at 6:30 PM on Zoom – Pre-Convention meeting – Zoom Registration Link
- October 2nd – Deadline to cancel Convention Registration and receive a refund
- October 9th – Deadline to submit In-Memorium for parish leaders and vestry members
- October 17th – 158th Diocesan Convention on-site or online
Convention Offering:
This year’s Convention Offering will be in support of TBD.
This Year’s Convention Theme – Steadfast In Hope:
“Therefore, my dear siblings, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NRSV-UE)
In every season, the Church is called to respond faithfully to a changing world. At times, the challenges before us can feel overwhelming. We see uncertainty in our communities, divisions in our society, and questions about what the future may hold. Yet through it all, God remains faithful.
This year’s Convention theme, Steadfast In Hope, reminds us that our hope is not rooted in circumstances, but in the promise of the risen Christ. Because Christ has conquered death and continues to make all things new, we can stand firm in faith, persevere in love, and continue the work God has entrusted to us.
As people of the Diocese of Central New York, we are called to be steadfast—not by clinging to the past or ignoring today’s realities, but by trusting that God is still at work among us. Every act of compassion, every prayer offered, every ministry of justice and mercy, every new relationship formed, and every step taken in faith is part of God’s ongoing work in the world.
As we gather for Convention, may we encourage one another, celebrate the ministries that are bearing fruit across our diocese, and discern together where the Holy Spirit is leading us next. Grounded in God’s love and strengthened by one another, we move forward Steadfast In Hope, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain.
Our Featured Speaker:
Turtle Clan Mother Whatwehni:neh, Freida Jacques, is a respected leader of the Onondaga Nation and within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. She has served the Turtle Clan for over 40 years as a Haudenosaunee cultural liaison within educational institutions across New York State. Freida continues to help educate audiences about the Haudenosaunee Confederacy—the oldest living government founded upon the principles of Peace and Democracy.
Convention Business
Nominations
These are elected positions that will be voted on at Convention. The following diocesan leadership positions are up for election:
Diocesan Board
- One (1) clergy person for a three-year term
- One (1) lay person for a three-year term
Disciplinary Board
- Two (2) clergy persons for 3-year terms
- One (1) lay person for a 3-year-term
Standing Committee
- One (1) lay person for a four-year term
- One (1) clergy person for a four-year term
To learn more about these roles and their responsibilities, please click here.
Who can attend Convention?
- Clergy of the diocese can attend as clergy delegates.
- Each parish can send delegates according to the size of their parish, based on their parochial report.
- Any other member of the diocese can attend as a guest, but only delegates and clergy will have voice and vote at Convention.
Why attend Convention as a delegate?
- Your voice and vote help guide important decisions that directly affect your parish.
- Meet others from around our diocese and form relationships with parishes to help build and strengthen our diocesan community.
- A chance to learn from and engage with our keynote speaker
- Gather to worship together as a diocese.
How does one become a delegate to Convention?
- If you wish to attend as a delegate for your parish, speak to your parish leadership and they will certify you with the diocese as a delegate.
- Parish leadership, to certify your delegates you can do so here.
Important note for all Delegates:
All Delegates, both on-site and online, will need a phone, tablet, or computer that can connect to the internet for voting in Elections. If you have any concerns regarding this, please contact the diocesan office.
Previous Conventions
157th Diocesan Convention (2025)
156th Diocesan Convention (2024)
155th Diocesan Convention (2023)
154th Diocesan Convention (2022)
153rd Diocesan Convention (2021)
152nd Diocesan Convention (2020)
151st Diocesan Convention (2019)
150th Diocesan Convention (2018)
149th Diocesan Convention (2017)
148th Diocesan Convention & Special Election Convention (2016)