Convention preparations continue with the publication of the proposed 2019 Budget and Assessment documents, the Report of the Constitution and Canons Committee, and the announcement of the slate of candidates for elective office. The budget documents will be discussed at the upcoming Deanery meetings, and Deans will review the proposed Constitutional change. Please print your own copy of the budget and assessment documents. No proposed resolutions have been submitted for consideration at this time.

The schedule of Deanery Meetings is below. These meetings are a consequential part of Convention preparations; all delegates and alternates should attend, along with their clergy. Alternates should try to be well-informed in case they are called upon to serve as delegates.

As part of the business of the meeting, each Deanery will elect one member of the Executive Council and two members (one clerical and one lay) of the Nominating Committee for the election of the next Bishop. If you wish to nominate someone to one of these posts, forms are available below. Submit these to your Dean as far in advance of the meeting as possible. (One week is recommended.)

The opening Eucharist of our 36th Annual Diocesan Convention will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, 3900 Morris Lane in Arlington. Following the service, there will be a reception and dinner in the parish hall. This will be a festive evening for all of our clergy, delegates, and visitors. You are encouraged to attend.

The schedule of events on Saturday, Nov. 10, is as follows:

• Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. in the parish hall; a continental breakfast will be available
• Morning Prayer begins at 8:30 a.m. on the convention floor.
• The business meeting convenes at 9 a.m.

At this time you are encouraged to nominate candidates for elective office and to submit any proposed resolutions to the Secretary of Convention. You may also wish to make a hotel reservation for Nov. 9. The following positions will be filled by election at this year’s Convention:

• Standing Committee  ~  1 Clerical member  and 1 Lay member
• Ecclesiastical Trial Court  ~  1 Clerical member and 1 Lay member

Forms are linked above. All nomination forms and proposed resolutions for consideration by the Convention are due by Friday, Sept. 7. Please consult Articles 18 and 19 regarding changes to the diocesan Constitution or Canons. Submit completed forms and supporting material according to the instructions on the form.

Resolutions submitted by Sept. 7 will be reviewed by the Resolutions Committee and published no later than twenty (20) days before the opening of the Convention. (Any resolution which shows on its face that it deals with matters arising after the deadline date shall be exempt from this requirement.) Any resolutions submitted after Sept. 7 are governed by Rule 27 of the Standing Rules of Procedure.

As a representative of your parish, it is important that you attend your Pre-Convention Deanery Meeting in September. This will be your opportunity to review the proposed 2019 budget and assessments and discuss any resolutions or proposed changes to the Constitution and Canons that may be presented. Note: All these documents will be posted here on Monday, Sept. 17.

Elected delegates will have seat, voice, and vote in the deanery meetings. Alternates should make every effort to attend the Deanery Meetings as well, since they may be called upon to serve in place of an elected Delegate. Visitors do not have voice or vote. A calendar of Deanery Meeting dates is below. It may be helpful, too, to review Canon 35.

In addition, you are encouraged to participate in the process of nominating qualified persons to represent your Deanery on the Executive Council. Scroll down to see a list of openings. Please use the Executive Council Nomination Form and submit it to your Dean at least one week prior to your Deanery's meeting date.

This year, too, each Deanery will elect one clerical and one lay member of the Nominating Committee for the Election of a Bishop Coadjutor. A form for this purpose is provided below. Please submit it to your Dean at least one week before the meeting.

Please take note of the deadlines and Deanery Meeting dates on the calendar below this memo. Note that you may nominate yourself for any position described in this memo.

Clergy, you are asked to submit your Necrology Report not later than Friday, Oct. 26.

The Diocesan Staff and Arrangements Committee at St. Peter & St. Paul look forward to seeing you at Convention!