186th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana
Presentations at Convention
Bishop’s Address
Read the text of the address here
Dodwell House Community Resource Center
Latino/Hispanic Ministry
Welcome Letter From Bishop Duckworth
Dear friends in Christ,
It is with great joy that I invite you to the 186th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. Our theme this year will be Faith Amplified. At my Ordination and Consecration as bishop almost a year ago, I outlined the tenets of Faith, Hope and Love as our guideposts over the next 3 years. This year’s convention will highlight the various ways in which our diocese is deepening our faith journey together. This will include a series of workshops, a festival Eucharist featuring the choir from Dillard University, a reception in which we can enjoy gathering as a community, and a celebration of the mission and vision of our unique and wonderful diocese. I am grateful to all who are a part of the planning of this event as well as St. Martin’s Episcopal School for providing such warm hospitality. I look forward to sharing this time with you.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Shannon Rogers Duckworth
Bishop of Louisiana
Date and Location
The 186th Annual Convention will be held October 27-28 in the Solomon Theater at St. Martin’s Episcopal School, 225 Green Acres Road, Metairie. Click here for directions.
Check in will begin on Friday at 11:30 a.m with the Call to Order at 1:30 p.m.
View the Full Order of Business and campus map
Business at Convention
The 186th Annual Convention will be held October 27-28 at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. If you have any questions about the business at Convention, contact the Rev. Canon Allison Reid, Chair of the Dispatch of Business, at aried@edola.org.
Nominations to Elected Offices
We seek people interested in serving in leadership positions in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana. Read below for offices to be held by election at the upcoming 186th Annual Convention.
The nominations for elected offices closed on September 27th.
For questions or assistance: Contact Tamika Gerhardt at tgerhardt@edola.org.
Election Results:
Secretary of the Diocese: Marsha Wade
Treasurer of the Diocese: Keith Crawford
Standing Committee, Clerical: The Rev. Holly Burris
Standing Committee, Lay: Carolyn Harris
Executive Board, Clerical: The Rev. Stephanie Fox
Executive Board, Lay: Penny Bankston and Olin Parker
Disciplinary Board, Clerical: The Rev. Gina Brewster-Jenkins, the Rev. Chris Duncan, and the Rev. John Pitzer
Trustee, University of the South, Sewanee: The Very Rev. Robert Beazley
Nominees
Resolutions
Convention rules require resolutions to be submitted to the Committee on Dispatch of Business 30 days prior to Convention or else receive the consent of two-thirds of the members of Convention to be moved from the floor. The deadline for submitting resolutions was September 27th.
Courtesy Resolutions
Download the courtesy resolutions
Resolutions submitted for consideration at the 186th Annual Convention
None submitted
Amendments to the Diocesan Constitution & Canons submitted for consideration at the 186th Annual Convention
Resolution # | Title & Link to Full Text | Purpose | Referred to | Action |
CCR1 | To amend Canon 6.1 |
Purpose: To amend Canon 6, Section 1 to provide that the election of Deputies and Alternates to General Convention be conducted on one balloting slate in each order and that once four deputies have been elected by majority vote, alternate deputies for that order shall be chosen from the remaining candidates in order of the number of votes received on the most recent ballot.
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Hearing Room: Constitution & Canons, Rm US 2 |
Amended by the Committee on Consitution and Canons Passed as Amended |
CCR2 | To amend Canon 27A V4 |
Purpose: To amend Canon 27A to provide that the members of the Board of Directors for The Solomon Episcopal Conference Center are appointed by the Bishop and approved by The Convention, removing references to the Board of Visitors and Diocesan Support Organizations.
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Hearing Room: Constitution & Canons, Rm US 2 | Passed |
CCR3 | To amend Canon 30.2 v 2 |
Purpose: To amend Canon 30, Section 2 to provide that at least three-fifths of the membership of the Board of Trustees of each Diocesan School shall be confirmed Communicants in good standing of the Episcopal Church, removing requirements that trustees reside in the community where the school is located and that they be confirmed Communicants in of the Church in the Diocese.
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Hearing Room: Constitution & Canons, Rm US 2 | Passed |
Budget Documents
Click the toggles below to view the budget documents for the 186th Annual Convention. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Speed, Diocesan Administrator, at cspeed@edola.org.
Action at Convention
The 2024 budget was passed with no amendments
Minimum clergy compensation was passed with no amendments.
Reports to Convention
Diocesan boards, committees, and commissions are asked to submit annual reports to Convention by September 27. Please email reports to Tamika Gerhardt at tgerhardt@edola.org.
Speakers and Breakout Session
Breakout Session
The Rev. Andy Thayer, Renaming Bishop Hall
Location: Dan and Frances White Chapel
In this session, join the Rev. Andrew Thayer as he discusses the process involved in renaming Bishop’s Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church, New Orleans. Fr. Thayer will explore the theological foundations behind this shift, as well as steps taken towards successful implementation.
The Rev. Craig Dalferes, Stewardship of Endowments
Location: Solomon Theater
I so appreciate the opportunity to share what I’ve learned about Endowments over the years, and the important role they can play in advancing the mission and ministry of the church. I’ve seen a couple of different models work well. I’d also like to share some resources from the Episcopal Church Foundation. They have assisted me in the past in setting up an Endowment Fund, which we began at St. Matthew’s, Houma with only $10,000. My hope is to leave you with some tools to get started, or perhaps to expand an existing endowment at your home parish.
The Rev. Peter Wong, Growing your Garden: Congregation Growth
Location: Peyton Center
My vision for this time is to identify a few simple principles to guide those who are interested in how to break up the soil in which we find ourselves and prepare fertile ground where new persons can find their way into the ministries of the congregations in the Diocese of Louisiana. Every church is going to grow differently because there are different gardeners in our parishes and missions, but there are a few helpful hints that I have found critical over the course of years in ministry. This is not going to be a cure-all, but instead a way for you to re-think how we go about adding to our membership and deepening our discipleship.
Holy Eucharist
Convention Eucharist will be held on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the St. Martin’s Dan and Frances White Chapel. We are excited to announce the Dillard University Choir will join us to provide music for the service. All members of the diocese are welcome to attend. Clergy will not vest.
Pre-Convention Meeting
The Pre-convention Meeting was held on Tuesday, October 10 via Zoom
Click here to view announcements regarding check-in procedures, hotel, and parking.
- Convention check-in will occur in the lobby of Saints Hall. Check-in on Friday is 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Make sure to check in on time or you will not be able to vote during the Convention. Watch the video for the full instructions on the check-in procedure.
- Accessible parking will be located in front of Saints Hall
Click here to view information about the 186th Annual Convention- theme, speakers, and breakout sessions.
Click here to view information about the Order of Business.
Click here to view the presentation on the amendments to the Diocesan Constitution & Canons submitted for consideration at the 186th Annual Convention. Amendments for consideration can be found here.
Click here to view the budget presentation.
Register for Convention
Registration for the 186th Annual Convention closed on September 27th. If you have any questions or need additional support, please get in touch with Tamika Gerhardt at tgerhardt@edola.org or (504) 895-6634.
Vendors and Exhibitors
Note: Our vendor registration is now full.
The vendor and exhibitors tables are a favorite gathering place during Annual Convention. This year, exhibitors will be located in Saints Dining Hall just adjacent to the St. Martin’s Solomon Theater.
Cost: Any ministry affiliated with the diocese may register a table at no cost. Exhibitors that do not fall into this category will be charged a $50 fee.
Setup time: Friday, October 27 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Questions: Contact Tamika Gerhardt at tgerhardt@edola.org with any questions.
Hotel Block
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans-Elmwood/Clearview Parkway Area
5150 Mounes Street,Harahan, LA 70123USA
Reserve your room by clicking here or by phone: 504-733-5646 (dial 0 to be transferred to the front desk agent)
The Group Code is EDL
The cut-off date for this block is October 6th.
All reservations are held with a major credit/debit card and will have a 72-hour cancellation policy.
For questions or assistance: Contact Tamika Gerhardt at tgerhardt@edola.org.
Necrology Form
Names of clergy, former diocesan officers, and/or lay delegates who have died since the last meeting of the Diocesan Convention, October 28, 2022, will be read during Convention prayers. Submissions are due by September 27, 2023.