In Christ, Called to Collaborate
Speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16
The 238th annual Diocesan Convention takes place Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28, 2023,
at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Boston North Shore in Danvers.
Schedule highlights
Friday, Oct. 27:
Convention's Friday programming is open to all and will explore collaboration as a central component of Christian discipleship, with guest keynote speaker the Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers, Presiding Bishop's Staff Officer for Church Planting:
Courtesy photo
The Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers
- 12:30-1 p.m.: Check in
- 1-5 p.m.:
The Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers will open the session, followed by a panel of presenters representing different ministry contexts around the diocese who will talk about the challenges and blessings of collaborating with partners in and outside of the church.
What might you give up to embrace a collaboration?
What gifts might you receive from collaboration?
What insight might collaboration give about how God works in the world?
Small group break-out conversations will follow.
- 6 p.m.: Dinner
- 7 p.m.: Keynote: "Declaring the Dream, Borrowing Courage, Muddling Toward Our Vibrant Future" presented by The Rev. Katie Nakamura Rengers
Saturday, Oct. 28:
(Times here are approximate and adjustments may be made in the course of the day. Find the full Order of Business in the Handbook attached below):
- 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Convention Eucharist with Bishop's Annual Address and morning business session, including Racial Justice Commission's report
- 1:45-4:45 p.m.: Afternoon business session, including budget and resolutions
Registration and hotel reservations
- Online registration is open! Click here to register.
Convention is open to all in the diocesan community. Use the registration link to sign up for any and all sessions.
- Hotel reservations: Make room reservations here.
Materials
Convention materials are attached as PDFs at the bottom of this page, including:
Pre-Convention Forums
Pre-Convention Forums will be fully devoted to discussion and Q&A. To prepare, Convention participants are invited to view pre-recorded report and presentation videos available in our "2023 Pre-Diocesan Convention Forums Videos" playlist on YouTube, here.
Pre-Convention Forums, online via Zoom, offer an important opportunity for discussion about the issues and business to come before the Diocesan Convention, including the proposed 2024 diocesan budget, proposed resolutions and other important convention components. Participation in your region's meeting is recommended, but you are welcome to attend the one that is most convenient.
Find links to join the Pre-Convention Forums below.
- Wednesday, Oct. 4, 7:00-8:30 p.m.: Central Region (Zoom link)
- Thursday, Oct. 5, 7:00-8:30 p.m.: Northern and Western Region (Zoom link)
- Friday, Oct. 6, 2:00-3:30 p.m., Any Region (Zoom link)
- Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Southern Region (Zoom link)
Deadlines for canonical residency and delegate changes
In accordance with Diocesan Canon 1, Sec. 3, all clergy desiring to vote at Diocesan Convention must be canonically resident two weeks prior to the start of Convention. Clergy in the process of becoming canonically resident please contact Laura Simons at lsimons@diomass.org to complete this process by Friday, Oct. 13.
Delegate changes should be reported to the Convention Office via the substitute delegate form found here. Substitute delegate forms will be accepted in the Convention Office until Friday, Oct. 20. After that date, please contact the Convention Office (convention@diomass.org) to ensure the change is processed.
Exhibitors
To request an exhibitor table for a diocesan-sponsored organization or group, please contact the Rev. Margaret Lias, Administrator for Governance and Grants, at mlias@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 229.
Contact
E-mail convention@diomass.org with any questions.