Greetings, everyone!
Well, it’s that time of year again! What time, you might be thinking. It’s Convention time! All of our deaneries should be having their pre-convention meetings to discuss the budget and resolutions which will be presented at Diocesan 
Convention at the end of this month. While I know that it’s generally only the delegates to convention that attend these deanery meetings, let me put in a plug for other members of the Household to attend. In our very busy lives, it can be just too easy to feel uninvolved and disconnected to the work of the diocese – especially if you live out of the greater Detroit area. The workings and gatherings of EDOMI can seem just too far away. Our deanery meetings are a way to feel connected with the other congregations in your area and get to participate in the work of the diocese. Your delegates are charged with voting the wishes of your congregation so YOU are the people whose opinions they carry to convention. YOU have a definite say in the working of the Household! At the meeting, you’ll get to interact with your representatives to Council and have the opportunity to make your voice heard by those who can express your thoughts to others. By now, your delegates have received the booklet listing candidates for various diocesan roles as well as the proposed budget and wording of the resolutions. If you haven’t had a chance to see these, just ask your delegates before the deanery meeting. You can also find all of this on the EDOMI website – http://www.edomi.org/diocesan-convention.html One of the resolutions proposed by Covenant 5 asks for the personal involvement of each congregation with one of the resolutions from last summer’s General Convention. You can find the text for these resolutions at the Covenant 5 website – http://www.covenant5.org/Cov_5_Dioc_Church.php#GC_Resolution_Texts
And then, if you really want to feel connected, come to convention! Not only will you have time to see the process of business done – which is fascinating in itself – but you will have the chance to meet other wonderful, like-minded people from around the diocese! You can learn about the various ministry partners of our Household in the exhibit area, support lifelong learning at the auction for our own Whitaker Institute, and enjoy some refreshments while sharing in the exciting work of the Emrich Center at their reception and raffle. And this year, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori will be joining us at convention as preacher for the Friday evening Eucharist and speaking on Saturday to the convention body. What a great opportunity to hear her speak in person!
As we watch attendance at churches around us decline, we can either accept that this trend is inevitable or we can choose to bring life to our Church by modeling a vibrant, involved faith to those around us looking for connections. We can each become part of the conversation for life in our Household. Convention is a great place to start!
I hope to see each of you there!
~ Judith Schellhammer, chair, Resolution Review Committee, Diocesan Council
Thanks, Judith! Excellent blog, as usual! I hope many of your readers catch your enthusiasm and come, not only to the deanery meetings, but to Convention as well.