140th Convention Recap
Welcome to the recap page for our 140th Convention! Here you will find all the materials related to this Convention that occurred February 10-11, 2023 organized by date. To view the photo gallery from Convention, with thanks to our photographer Emerson Crawford (St. Paul's, Greenville), click the button below:
Click Here to View the Convention Photo Gallery
Friday, February 10, 2023
Workshops at Convention
Friday afternoon at 1 and 3 p.m., attendees were offered four workshops to participate in. Each workshop sparked questions and conversations, as participants explored small church leadership, discipleship, digital ministry, and care of creation. Click the link below to explore the brief synopsis of and materials from each workshop. We thank these ministries for their work and for conducting these workshops!
Click Here to Access the Workshop Synopses and Materials
Convention Eucharist
Our Opening Eucharist service was held at the Convention Center and was a joyful gathering. We thank the Liturgical Commission, Pamlico Deanery, service leaders, musician Peter Woodruff, and all of the people who made this time of worship possible. Bishop Skirving's sermon celebrating the treasures in clay jars we have here in East Carolina is provided below in transcript form in both English and Spanish. You will find the service recording below. You will also find the service bulletin from the service provided below.
CLICK HERE FOR THE TRANSCRIPT OF BISHOP SKIRVING'S SERMON
Oprima Aquí Para el Sermón del Obispo
Download the Bulletin for Friday's Opening Worship Service
Our Saturday morning legislative session opened with a time of devotion and worship, led by the Rev'd Copeland Johnston of St. Thomas, Bath with music from Peter Woodruff. After our session was called to order, we welcomed clergy who are new to our diocese or serving in new roles in the dioceses, and we introduced our postulants and candidates. The sections that follow share the highlights and key moments from Saturday's legislative meeting: presentations, Bishop Skirving's address, budget materials, and elections results.
Throughout the day, ministry exhibits were easily accessible to attendees, and there were great conversations, opportunities for networking, and a wonderful sharing of ideas among the ministries showcased. Breakfast and lunch at Convention was a time of good food and fellowship, as attendees intermixed and shared tables with those in different congregations.
New Wine Presentations
Following welcomes and introductions, Bishop Skirving introduced a time of presentations he called "New Wine Presentations" that speak to some of the new work God is doing in our midst. Attendees heard from people and ministries within our diocese, and you can learn more about these presentations by clicking the link below to access textual synopses and videos.
CLICK HERE FOR THE DETAILS OF THE NEW WINE PRESENTATIONS
New Wine Discussion
After a break, the Rev'd Paul Canady (Christ Church, New Bern) introduced a "speaker": President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala Harris, giving her sermon from GC80. You can view President Ayala Harris's video here. After viewing the video, table talk took place to unpack the video and consider new wine and new wineskins here in East Carolina. One question posed to the room was: Who do we consider to be undervalued in the life of our church? Comments from the floor after table talk highlighted discussions groups had about making space for more voices at the table, increasing inclusivity, exercising our habit of radical hospitality, and recognizing that we are the best version of ourselves when in relationship. No answers or solutions were found, as everyone acknowledged that this is and will be an ongoing process of being open to change and creating space for the new wine and wineskins.
Bishop's Address Video
Below you will find a link to the livestream video of Bishop Skirving's address and the English transcript of his address. We will add the Spanish transcript of his address very soon, as well as the edited and polished video of his address.
CLICK HERE FOR THE TRANSCRIPT OF BISHOP SKIRVING'S ADDRESS
Oprima Aquí Para el Discurso del Obispo
Treasurer's Report and the Adopted 2023 Budget
Treasurer Tess Judge presented her report for 2022 to Convention, which you can view below along with the balance sheet and pledges:
For the Narrative of the 2023 Budget, click here. Below you can view the 2023 Budget that was adopted.
Certified Resolutions Passed at Convention
One resolution was presented and passed at Convention, and one special order of business was adopted. Below you will find each of the certified resolutions passed at our 140th Convention:
- Special Order of Business for the 140th Annual Convention
- Resolution 2023-01: Resolution submitted to 81st General Convention adjusting Diocesan assessments to the Wider Church
Elections
Excitement (and some mild trepidation) was palpable for the elections process at our first paperless Convention. We had five contested elections, and, for the very first time, we completed ballots online; the process went more smoothly than we even expected, and we appreciate our voting delegates' diligence and patience with this new procedure. The remainder of our elections were completed through votes of acclamation and confirmation. You can see all of the newly-elected members of diocesan positions by clicking the link below.
VIEW THOSE ELECTED TO DIOCESAN POSITIONS
Next Year’s 141st Annual Convention will be at Greenville Convention Center on February 9 – 10, 2024.
