Bishop's Invitation to Diocesan Convention 2023
June 28, 2023
“I love to tell the story; 'twill be my theme in glory to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.”
– Arabella Katherine Hankey (b. 1834)
Dear Siblings in Christ,
We are a part of the unfolding story of God here in the eastern half of Missouri. For 184 years, we have proclaimed the love of God, the radical love of Jesus Christ, and the fierce wildness of the Holy Spirit. Stories have shaped, grounded, and molded us into faithful followers of Jesus. We are shaped by the stories we tell and the stories we are told. Stories are the most powerful transcendent force we can encounter of the Divine. To be a part of a story that is greater than ourselves is to be reminded of both the eternal and the transitory.
Stories locate us in our past, and ground us in the present, all the while navigating us toward an unknown future. The story of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri is written in the many ways we continue to share the love of God in serving our neighbors. Through prayer, passion, and perseverance, we continue to participate in God’s work of making all things new.
As we bear witness to God’s love story of a renewed creation, I invite you to join me in proclaiming the unfolding story of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri as we gather for the 184th Convention, themed “I Love to Tell the Story,” to be held November 3-4, 2023. Our time at Convention will be an opportunity to hear and share the stories of our communities of faith while together shaping our collective story in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.
We have a story to tell and a fresh boldness in the telling. As we gather it is my hope that we, in the giving and receiving of stories, find our connection to the past, look for meaning and purpose in the present, and dream of a new-storied future.
Please continue to check www.diocesemo.org/2023-convention, our weekly Proclaim 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 14, 2023.
I am tremendously excited to welcome you as we gather [in-person] from across the Diocese to be about the work of telling the story of God’s unconditional love.
May God’s blessing be on, in, and through you in all ways.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson
XI Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Tags: News / 2023 Convention