Reflections from Diocesan Convention
Submitted by Jolene Miller, Trinity Member & 2022 Convention Delegate
On November 18 and 19, the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio held its Annual Convention in Cleveland. If you are new to Trinity, you may be unfamiliar with our diocese: we are 80 parishes spread across northern Ohio, one of 108 dioceses and three mission areas in 22 nations or territories. Every year, diocesan clergy and lay delegates meet at convention to conduct diocesan business. This year, Trinity was represented by Rev. Lisa, Hugh Grefe, Leah Reed, and me. 2022 was our first convention in person since the pandemic began, and it was good to be together with our siblings in Christ again. It was good to see old friends and make new ones. This was a particularly special convention because we were electing our next bishop to lead the diocese.
Friday evening was convention Eucharist. It was very different in terms of music and language from what we experience on Sunday mornings, and it was a good reminder of the Episcopal Church’s “big tent”: there is room for many expressions of worship. The Rt. Rev. Prince G Singh VIII, the Bishop Provisional of the dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan, gave an inspiring sermon inspired by a passage from the prayer for our bishop search: “Grant us perception, faithfulness and joy that we may hear your still small voice. And then, give us the courage to follow as you lead us along the way.”
On Saturday morning, we gathered in a hotel ballroom, with our voting devices around our necks and cups of coffee and tea at our tables. Much of the work of convention is routine: we elect clergy and lay members to various diocesan councils and committees to serve on our behalf; we approve the diocesan budget; hear reports (this year, from Bellwether Farms Camp, Retreat, and Education Center and from Trinity Cathedral); vote on resolutions; and hear about transitions on the Commission on Ministry (Trinity member Gary Franklin finished his term; Becky Roth began her term).
This was a convention of highs and lows. Bishop Mark Hollingsworth gave his final Episcopal Address to convention. We voted on resolutions declaring two parishes extinct. We elected our next bishop, on only two ballots. As you already know, the Rev. Anne Jolly from the Diocese of Chicago was elected to be our next bishop. Her election still needs to be approved by other bishops in the Episcopal Church as well as diocesan standing committees, but if all goes well, she will be consecrated at the end of April.
I have been a lay delegate to diocesan convention for over 20 years. People wonder why I give up a Friday and Saturday almost every year to drive to Cleveland for what is admittedly sometimes boring work on behalf of Trinity and the diocese. For me, it is about connection. Trinity Episcopal Church is not on its own. We are part of a larger system – part of a mission area within a diocese within a province, within the Episcopal Church – and we can do more together than we could do as individual churches. Do I agree with all the decisions and actions of this larger system? Nope. Do I agree with all the decisions and actions of other parishes? Nope. Do I love the Episcopal Church and its mission, despite the messiness of our polity? Yes. Am I grateful that an Episcopal Church was there for me when God called me back to church? Yes. Out of that love and gratitude, I’m willing to give up one Friday and Saturday each year to do the necessary work of governance.
Loving God, grant us perception, faithfulness, and joy that we may hear your still small voice. And then, give us the courage to follow as you lead us along the way. Amen.