222nd Annual Diocesan Convention

Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024

Christ Church, Exeter

Watch Bishop Rob’s invitation to convention

We are pleased to be in person again. Convention is for clergy and lay delegates and will include Holy Eucharist, the Bishop’s address, elections, resolutions, a celebration of the success of the From Deep Roots, New Life capital campaign, and lunch and will end at or by 4 p.m.

You must participate in person to exercise your voice and/or vote. Check in will open at 7:45 a.m. and close at 8:45 a.m., with proceedings beginning at 9 a.m.

Scroll down for the agenda, giving opportunities, information about childcare subsidies and more.

Registration is closed; please contact Kathy Traynor with questions.  

Agenda for Convention Day - Oct. 26

Parking: Available on street and in the church lot. Please park on the street (it’s free) if you are willing and able. 

7:45 - 8:45 a.m.  

• Drop off gifts for CHIPS in parking lot 

• Check-in, Parish Hall (rear entrance from parking lot)

• Coffee and light breakfast items, Parish Hall 

9 a.m. Worship and proceedings begin 

11 a.m. Business meeting resumes after 15-minute break 

Noon - 1 p.m. Lunch for all 

1 p.m. Business meeting continues 

We anticipate the business meeting ending by 4 p.m. at the latest. 

You are welcome to bring your own water bottle and paper cups will be provided at the water bottle stations.  

Giving opportunities for churches and individuals   

The offertory collection during convention worship will be shared among three agencies: American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund, and St. Vincent’s Center in Haiti. Cash and checks placed in the offering plate (made out to ECNH with Convention Offering in the memo line) will be divided equally among the three recipients, and sent on to them by the diocese. To give directly, click on the links for each organization below.

Gifts made to the United Thank Offering (UTO) and a gift symbolizing the CHIPS program will also be presented and blessed at this time. See below for more details.

American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ)

The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ) is a longstanding agency of reconciliation and assistance to the Episcopal/Anglican Bishop of the Holy Land. The mission of AFEDJ is the hard work of building hope and peace in the region by transforming lives of the vulnerable and displaced in the Middle East through support of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and its schools, hospitals, and centers for children with disabilities.

Episcopal Relief and Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund

For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Gifts to ERD’s Hurricane Relief Fund help ERD’s partners and dioceses reach vulnerable communities devastated by hurricanes and other catastrophic storms. As ERD continues to assess ongoing needs in impacted areas, gifts will enable ERD to respond now, and in the long run to aid in recovery.

St. Vincent’s Center in Haiti

The Mission of St. Vincent’s Center is to provide special education opportunities and life skills training to children with disabilities in Haiti. On their school campus in the greater Port-au-Prince area, St. Vincent’s Center daily teaches 100 deaf, 60 blind, and 40 physically-challenged children, many of whom are in wheelchairs. St. Vincent’s also operates a medical center in downtown Port-au-Prince. Founded in 1945 by Sister Joan of the Episcopal Order of the Sisters of St. Margaret, St. Vincent’s is known throughout Haiti as a place where children with disabilities are both educated and cared for.

Gift Drive for Children of Incarcerated Persons (ChIPS) program 

Once again, we are grateful to Maggie Mackie-Ciancio, parishioner at Church of the Transfiguration in Derry, for coordinating this program, which enables people who are incarcerated to give a Christmas gift to their child, a younger sibling, or grandchild. This year, the program needs gifts and volunteers.

1. Because of your generosity in prior years, we do not need, and will not be accepting, monetary donations or gift cards.

2. Gifts will be collected in the Christ Church Exeter parking lot and loaded into a truck, 7:45 - 9 a.m. on Oct. 26. (Please do not bring or leave gifts in the church.) Find gift guidelines and related volunteer opportunities here.

United Thank Offering (UTO) 

Churches with a United Thank Offering program are invited to bring their gift to be presented as an offering during convention. Churches should make one check payable to UTO; the diocese will forward the checks to UTO immediately following the worship service. Learn more about UTO here. 

Childcare subsidies available

Parents/primary caregivers who have children 10 and under and who are required to attend Diocesan Convention (e.g., clergy, delegates, postulants) will be eligible for a childcare subsidy. The maximum amount for each child is $50. To meet financial auditing requirements, eligible parents will be reimbursed after submitting the following before Nov. 30, 2024:

• Reimbursement request form – Email Kathy Traynor for a form or pick one up at Convention

• Invoice marked paid from the childcare provider, including their name, address, your child(ren)’s name(s), and that the childcare was provided on Oct. 26, 2024.