Diocesan Convention

Logo for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
2024 convention theme

The 2024 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania will begin on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. with Eucharist at The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral. Everyone is invited to Friday's service with the bishop.  If you are unable to attend you can watch on our livestream.

Convention continues at the Cathedral on Saturday, October 19.  Doors open at 8 a.m. with Morning Prayer beginning at 8:45 a.m. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. (What is a Diocesan Convention?)

 

Parking for Friday/Saturday

Parking is available at Drexel University (Lot G) located at 3300 Market Street (entrance on Ludlow Street. See diagram). Make sure to bring your parking ticket with you for validation! Cathedral staff will validate.

Shuttle services by KSTG (Kevin Smith Transportation Group) will  loop between 30th Street Station, Drexel Parking Lot and the Cathedral. For 30th Street Station, please meet the driver at the corner entrance near the "bus pickup" location. Shuttle service will begin at 5:30pm on Friday and at 6:30am on Saturday. 

 

Agenda

We utilize Livebinder for all materials relating to Convention including the schedule for Saturday.  Please note: information is constantly being updated and added. Click here. 

 

Youth Participation

Did you know that each parish in the diocese has the right to send two youth representatives to the diocesan convention? They will sit with your parish deputies and have the privilege of speaking on the floor of the Convention. While they are not voting members, this is a great opportunity to get interested youth involved in the life of the diocese.

 

Deacon's Service Project

Pretty soon it will get colder and there will be many people who can't afford a coat, scarf or gloves. Our diocesan deacons are organizing a coat drive (now to 10/20) and have made it super easy for you to participate. The links   below will allow you to purchase winter gear and have it go directly to deacons for distribution.

 

Convention Registration

You do not need to register for the Friday night service. This link is registration for Saturday's diocesan business meeting. 

 

Nominations

Using this form, you can complete your Nominee Biography (you do not need to send in a paper copy). Responses will be published as part of your biographical information in the Live Binder (see below) which has all convention information.  The deadline for submissions is October 5, 2024. The diocese is looking for people to serve in the following areas:

 

Pre-Convention Meetings

Trinity Episcopal Church Solebury

St. Francis-in-the Fields, Malvern

Christ Church, Phila. 

Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral

 

What is Diocesan Convention?*

The Diocesan Convention is the primary representative governing body of the diocese.  It convenes annually in October to conduct diocesan business, including election of officers and members of various leadership bodies; approval of a budget for the upcoming year; setting mission strategy; and establishing diocesan policy and procedure by considering and voting on resolutions and approving changes to the diocesan constitution and canons.  It is also an occasion for learning about important initiatives across the diocese; fellowship, community building and common prayer; and celebration of the Holy Eucharist together as a diocesan community.

A smaller representative body, the Diocesan Council, meets regularly throughout the year to oversee and conduct diocesan business in between annual Diocesan Conventions.

The bishop, all clergy who are canonically resident in the diocese and three lay persons elected as delegates from each parish have seat, voice and vote at Diocesan Convention.  

(*From the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts)

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:43-47

Jesus