Delegates to diocesan conventions
As an Episcopal church, St. Stephen’s is one of the 179 parishes that make up the Diocese of Virginia. Representatives of these churches typically gather once a year to consider changes to the diocesan constitution and canons, adopt a budget for diocesan mission and ministry, pass resolutions that guide the work of the diocese and its churches, and learn more about our diocese and its work. Representation in diocesan conventions is determined according to each church’s size. St. Stephen’s is permitted up to 12 delegates at each annual and special diocesan convention, and leadership of convention committees is drawn from those delegates. As the largest church in the Diocese of Virginia, St. Stephen’s is seen as a leader, but our representation at the convention has not been as robust in recent years as it once was. We’d like to return to a pattern of sending a full delegation to the convention, and invite you to consider whether this might be an appropriate ministry for you. All confirmed communicants in good standing, age 16 and up, are eligible.
Convention locations alternate between Richmond and Northern Virginia; this year’s is in Arlington. The commitment for the annual convention is to attend the full convention (all day Friday, November 18, half a day Saturday, November 19 this year), and to familiarize yourself with documents and proposals sent to delegates in advance. A bonus: being at a diocesan convention with others from St. Stephen’s is a wonderful fellowship experience!
In addition to the regular annual convention, this year there will be a pivotal event, a special one-day convention, June 4, 2022, in Alexandria to elect the 14th Bishop of Virginia. Delegates to this convention are expected to attend a pre-convention session to meet the nominees, and study the materials about each one before attending the electing convention. The slate will be announced very soon (perhaps this week), and meet and greet sessions will take place in May. One of these is always at a church in Richmond.
Should you wish to serve as a delegate in this time of change–at one or both of these meetings–please contact the Rev. Will Stanley, vicar, or Dick Hamrick, senior warden.
Contact
The Rev. William L. Stanley, vicar | email
Dick Hamrick, senior warden | email