Dear Friends in Christ—
As this letter gets delivered to you, I will be sitting in a ballroom in Crystal City, with 500 or so
other Episcopalians. It will be our first in-person Diocesan Convention in three years.
Why does this meeting matter?
The diocese (and the wider church) can sometimes be perceived as distant. It can be unclear
how this larger entity has a place in our shared parish life or in our individual faith.
But we need our diocese—and not only because being episcopal (i.e., headed by episkopos, or
bishops) is in our name. Our diocese provides us with a framework for health. Diocesan
governance gives us structural and administrative support. Diocesan programming gives us
Sacred Ground and Shrine Mont camps. Diocesan leadership gives us clear teaching in
moments of social crisis.
I am excited about Convention because it offers the best of diocesan life. Meeting as a group
allows us to amplify our voices. For example, this year’s resolutions include a statement on
carbon neutrality, helping to clarify our church’s stance on environmental justice. It also allows
us to wrestle in real time with complex issues within our own house. This year’s resolutions
continue a long conversation on uniform parental leave.
Perhaps most importantly, meeting in person shows our spiritual unity. One of my favorite
worship services of the year is the eucharist at convention, with delegates from every church in
the diocese. I suspect our enthusiasm at real presence will be palpable.
I encourage you to talk to any of your clergy (who are all delegates) or to Doug Prince or Liz
Rugaber (who are Grace’s lay delegates) [link to emails]. And I encourage you to check out the
convention website.
Our life together matters, and I hope you will join me in celebrating it.
Yours in Christ,
Anne