Redefining our Convocation System
Bishop Deon Johnson presented this initiative at the 182nd Convention of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri to restructure and redefine our convocation system. This plan was approved by the Diocesan Standing Committee in the Spring of 2021 and will go into effect January 1, 2022.
Please note: The new listing of convocations follows the Introduction and the Roles & Expectations (keep scrolling) and is also on the downloadable document:
Download a printable copy of the document.
INTRODUCTION
God continually invites us into a deeper sense of community and interconnectedness. God’s dream of Beloved Community can only be realized when we recognize our need for deeper companionship and collaboration that reflects the image of the Divine Trinity.
As a Diocese, we are called into an intentional time of discerning God’s call for our communities of faith that is rooted in the notion that we are one Church, the Body of Christ, in many locations. This requires that we must pivot from communities of faith ministering solo or in silos. We must be about mission together; collaboration and intentionality are the watchwords for our path forward.
The Standing Committee, in the spring of 2021, approved a redefined and renewed configuration and purpose for our convocations.
- We have reduced the convocations from six down to four, with an eye towards ministry collaboration and shared mission goals.
- Each convocation will elect a Dean from the clergy order and a Warden from the lay order and will also elect representatives to Diocesan Council.
- The convocations are tasked, based on missional context, to develop a regional strategy for the communities of faith that make up the convocations.
The new configurations have been named in honor of prominent and faithful members of the Diocese of Missouri and reflect the diversity of our Diocese:
- Bishop Jackson Kemper, missionary Bishop and founder of the Diocese.
- The Rev. Dn. Jane Dey, first female deacon in the Diocese.
- The Rev. Emery Washington, social justice priest and statesman of the Diocese.
- Elizabeth Dyer, the first woman elected to General Convention in the Episcopal Church.
Effective December 31, 2021 the current configuration of convocations in the Diocese of Missouri will dissolve. Starting on January 1, 2022 the new convocation system will take effect. By way of transition, while we transition to new convocation leadership, a Convener will be appointed to gather the convocation and to facilitate the election of leadership.
As we look towards the future of the Diocese of Missouri, we must live more fully into a sense of collaboration not competition. We must be willing to be companions to one to another as we answer God’s call to mission and ministry for such a time as this.
ROLES & EXPECTATIONS OF CONVOCATIONS
- Convocation elect a Dean (clergy) and Warden (lay) that meet regularly with the Bishop.
- Deans and Wardens of Convocations serve for a two (2) year term and may be re-elected after a one (1) year hiatus.
- Develop a regional mission strategy in conjunction with the Diocesan Offices.
- Regional mission strategies should reflect the current Diocesan mission priorities (i.e. Goals set forth in the Strategic Visioning Plan)
- Each convocation elects members to serve on the Diocesan Council.
- Diocesan Council members elected from Convocations will serve a two (2) year term.
- Each Convocation elects one (1) clergy person and two (2) laypersons to serve on Diocesan Council.
- Members may serve two consecutive terms and may be re-elected after a one (1) year hiatus.
- Members of Diocesan Council elected from the Convocations and the Convocation Dean and Warden must be elected by February 15 of each year following Diocesan Convention.
- A yearly celebration of the patron of the convocation.
- Each convocation nominates two people, one clergy and one laity, to serve on the Diocesan Mission & Ministry Council.
- M&M Council –comprised of members of the Convocations, Diocesan Council (2), Standing Committee (1), Canon for Evangelism & Discipleship Development, Canon to the Ordinary & the Bishop.
- M&M Council –reviews the Strategic Vision of the Diocese with recommendations on implementation along with reporting on successes & challenges.
- Regularly communicates with the communities of faith that make up the convocation (i.e. newsletters, emails, zoom meetings, learning events, etc.).
- In consultation with the Director of Communications, develop and maintain a presence on the Diocesan website.
- Meet in convocation at least four times a year (leadership development, retreat, training, cookouts, fun activities, convention planning etc.).
Convocations of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Effective January 1, 2022
JANE DEY CONVOCATION:
- Calvary, Columbia
- Christ Church, Rolla
- Deaconess Anne House, St. Louis
- Grace, Jefferson City
- Rockwell House, St. Louis
- St. Alban’s, Fulton
- St. Mark’s, Portland
- Trinity, Kirksville
- St. Matthew’s, Mexico
ELIZABETH DYER CONVOCATION:
- All Saints, Farmington
- Christ Church, Cape Girardeau
- Holy Cross, Poplar Bluff
- St. John and St. James, Sullivan
- St. Paul’s, Ironton
- St. Paul’s, Sikeston
- Trinity, De Soto
- Trinity, St. James
- St. Vincent’s in the Vineyard, Ste. Genevieve
EMERY WASHINGTON CONVOCATION:
- Advent, Crestwood
- All Saints-Ascension, Northwood
- Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis
- Emmanuel, Webster Groves
- Grace, Kirkwood
- Holy Communion, University City
- St. Barnabas, Florissant
- St. John’s, Tower Groves
- St. Mark’s, St. Louis
- St. Michael and St. George, Clayton
- St. Paul’s, Carondelet
- St. Peter’s, Ladue
- St. Stephen’s, Ferguson
- St. Thomas, Kirkwood
- Trinity, Central West End
JACKSON KEMPER CONVOCATION:
- Calvary, Louisiana
- Faith Church of India, Ballwin
- Good Shepherd, Town & Country
- St. Francis, Eureka
- St. John’s, Eolia
- St. Luke’s, Manchester
- St. Martin’s, Ellisville
- St. Timothy’s, Creve Coeur
- Transfiguration, Lake St. Louis
- Trinity, Hannibal
- Trinity, St. Charles
Tags: News / 2021 Convention