2021 Convention
The 182nd Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri will take place November 18-20, 2021. The convention will once again be virtual for all delegates and members. The event will be hosted by Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis, where we will base the broadcast.
Convention is a time to celebrate our life together as a diocese. The event will be a chance for everyone in the diocese to come together -- virtually and safely. We'll review the past year and we'll look to the future. We'll worship, engage in workshops, hear from inspiring speakers, conduct our business, and even have some fun along the way!
This page will serve as the "home base" for all convention information. We will post everything here as it becomes available. Click the headlines below for expanded details.
If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact Convention Coordinator Michael Reiser or Communications Director Janis Greenbaum.
Convention Public Hearings: Nov. 6
Convention Public Hearings: Nov. 6 @ 10 a.m.
(Zoom link coming soon)
Everyone with voice and/or vote at convention is invited to this Zoom gathering to ask questions about our 2022 budget and the resolutions to be voted on at convention. The goal is to work out any problems before we get to convention!
(Budget and resolutions will be available soon.)
Virtual Convention Training: Nov. 3
Virtual Convention Training: Nov. 3 @ 7 p.m.
(Zoom link coming soon)
We encourage all convention delegates & clergy to attend -- especially those attending for the first time. This training will cover check-in and voting procedures.
A training video will also be available as a refresher. (coming soon)
Convention Schedule (Draft)
Please note: this schedule will be updated with additional details as we get closer to the event date.
Download a copy of this draft schedule. (updated Oct. 4, 2021)
2021 Convention Schedule (Draft)
(updated October 4)
Thursday, Nov. 18
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Convention Check-in for Clergy, Delegates, Convention Officers
Zoom
- 5:00 - 5:10 last names A-F
- 5:15 - 5:25 last names G-L
- 5:30 – 5:40 last names M-R
- 5:45 – 5:55 last names S-Z
6 p.m.
Plenary Session I
Zoom, Facebook, Dio website
- Call to Order
- Appointment of Officers
- Order of Business
- Welcome Message from Christ Church Cathedral
- Nominations for Elections
- Announcements
7 p.m.
Convention Eucharist
Zoom, Facebook, Dio website
- Live worship service from Christ Church Cathedral, including Bishop’s Convention Address and ESM Graduation Recognitions
Friday, Nov. 19
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Workshops
Zoom
- All are invited to gather in breakout sessions for topical discussions. Topics and exact times TBA.
7 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: The Rt. Rev. Rob Wright
Zoom, Facebook, Dio website
- All are invited to be inspired by the Bishop of Atlanta.
8:15 p.m.
Compline
Zoom, Facebook, Dio website
- All are invited engage in this brief and beautiful evening worship service.
8:30 p.m.
Zoom Dance Party
Zoom
- All are invited to have fun with your friends in our second annual Zoom dance party!
Saturday, Nov. 20
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Convention Check-in for Clergy, Delegates, Convention Officers
Zoom
- 8:00 - 8:10 last names A-F
- 8:15 - 8:25 last names G-L
- 8:30 – 8:40 last names M-R
- 8:45 – 8:55 last names S-Z
9 a.m.
Plenary Session II
Zoom, Facebook, Dio website
- Call to order
- Reports
- Budget Presentation
- Resolutions
- Elections
- Special Presentations
- Announcements
12 p.m.
Noonday Prayers
Zoom, Facebook, Dio website
- All are invited engage in this brief midday worship service.
12:10 p.m.
Lunch Break
12:30 p.m.
Plenary Session III
Zoom, Facebook, Dio website
- Reports
- Special Presentations
- Resolution voting
- Election results
- Announcements
- Adjournment
(Ending time estimated no later than 3 p.m.)
Convention is open to everyone! We will be livestreaming our working sessions for public viewing. There will also be worship services and workshops available to everyone in the diocese. More information about those events will be available soon.
All members with voice and vote will attend via Zoom teleconference and will need to register. That includes:
Registration must be completed by Wednesday, Oct. 20.Convention Registration: Due Oct. 20
Before you register yourself, please be sure to check with your parish to see if they are registering for you.
(posted September 13, 2021)
Diocesan Convention is all about celebrating our life together as a community of faith. Annual reports tell our story! Your report should be a reflection of your ministry's work from November 2020 through November 2021. Please consider including the following information:
This year’s convention will be held November 18-20 and will be completely virtual. All reports will be shared through the diocesan website and will be part of our permanent records. Some video reports will be selected for viewing during the virtual event.
Details for written reports:
Details for video reports:
We look forward to sharing your report with the diocese!
For more information, contact:
Call for Ministry Reports
(posted September 1, 2021)
Dear Friends in Christ,
Throughout Scripture, God has journeyed with people of faith into new adventures, across new bridges, and into new possibilities. As the Body of Christ here in the Diocese of Missouri, we now stand at a threshold-moment in our common life. Thresholds offer us expanded possibility, greater opportunity, and hopeful probability as we remain rooted in the past while journeying towards a Christ-centered future.
Over the last year and half of pandemic, we have rediscovered the innovative, creative, and restorative Spirit that guided our spiritual ancestors in faith. We are now called to gather as a household to be renewed, refreshed, and revitalized for the ministry that is ahead. This is an exciting season in the life of the Diocese.
The 182nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri will be held virtually November 18 – 20, 2021. Recognizing that we have been given all things, through Christ, for the building of the reign of God here in Eastern Missouri, our convention theme will be:
“For such a time as this… Engage. Equip. Empower”
as together we build on the foundation of our shared mission and common vision.
We continue to be the Body of Christ in Eastern Missouri in countless ways. From community gardens that nourish the unhoused and the food-insecure, to courageous conversations and actions that work to dismantle racism and white supremacy, the Diocese of Missouri is on the move. Our time together in Convention is an invitation to look beyond the current realities of our time and engage, equip, and empower each other to be ambassadors of hope and bearers of Christ’s love.
Please continue to check www.diocesemo.org, our weekly iSeek newsletter, and parish mailings for information about submitting resolutions and making nominations for diocesan leadership positions. Take note: all resolutions and nominations must be submitted by September 30.
I am tremendously excited to welcome you as we gather virtually from across the Diocese to be about the work of building the Beloved Community and expanding the reign of Christ.
May God continue to bless you to be a blessing to all in need.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson
Eleventh Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Bishop's Invitation to Convention
(posted July 14, 2021)
NOW is the time to collect nominations for elected diocesan offices and to submit resolutions to be considered at Convention.
The deadline to submit nominations and resolutions is September 30, 2021 @ 5 p.m.
Nominations:
We encourage lay and clergy members from all areas of our diocese to participate in diocesan committees. Here are the positions we will be electing at this year's Convention:
If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know to any of these positions, please download, complete, and return the attached form, along with a head-and-shoulders picture, and a short paragraph (no more than 300 words) explaining why you (or the person you're nominating) would be a good candidate for this ministry.
Email your nominations to the Nominations Committee: Or mail your nominations to: All nominations must be received by September 30, 2021 at 5 p.m.
For more information about nominations, contact the Rev. Todd McDowell, Chair of the 2021 Nominations Committee.
Resolutions:
According to the Canons of the Diocese of Missouri, all proposed resolutions for consideration at the Diocesan Convention must be submitted for consideration no later than 50 days prior to the opening of that convention. That due date is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.
There are three types of resolutions:
1. Amendments to the Constitution must be voted on in two consecutive diocesan conventions. Amendments to the Canons are only required to be voted on in one convention. Please submit your amendments to (please send copies to both):
2. Regular Resolutions must be sent to the Resolutions Committee for review. These resolutions typically only apply to the year immediately following Diocesan Convention. 3. Courtesy resolutions are ceremonial resolutions showing appreciation for individuals and organizations, or for commemorating things such as the anniversaries of the founding of parishes. These can be submitted to the Chair of the Resolutions Committee as noted in item 2, above.
Download information about submitting resolutions:
Email is the preferred method for submission. Please send your resolutions to:
If email is not available, you can mail submissions to:
For more information about resolutions, contact Michael Booker, chair of the 2021 Resolutions Committee.
Call for Nominations and Resolutions
Standing Committee is a council of advice to the Bishop and acts as the ecclesiastical authority in the event that the office of bishop is vacant or the bishop is incapacitated. Learn more about Standing Committee.
The Diocesan Council does the work of the Diocesan Convention when Convention is not in session, including development of the program budget; oversight of the programs and offices funded by the budget; and oversight and interpretation of diocesan policies. Members of this committee also serve as members of COEDMO, the Corporation of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. Learn more about Diocesan Council.
The Disciplinary Board exists to help in cases where clergy have been presented with charges under the Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Canons (Title IV) of the Canons of The Episcopal Church. Learn more about the Disciplinary Board.
and 1 lay member from outside St. Louis City or County for 3-year term
Cathedral Chapter is similar to the Vestry of a parish, but because the Cathedral is the Bishop's seat and the "mother church" for the diocese, its leadership is made up of clergy and lay members from throughout the diocese as well as its own congregation.
[email protected]
The Rev. Todd McDowell,
Chair of the Committee on Nominations and Election Procedures
Offices of the Bishop
1210 Locust St.
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
The Hon. Jean Hamilton, Committee on Constitution and Canons Chair
[email protected]
-and-
Hal Burroughs, Chancellor
[email protected]
Dr. Michael Booker, Resolutions Committee Chair
[email protected]
Resolutions to the 182nd Convention
Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
1210 Locust St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
