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Convention to feature day of business, day of learning

By Melodie Woerman

Editor, The Harvest

“Rejoice, give thanks and sing!” is the theme for the 146th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas. Delegates will meet at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Wichita on Friday, Oct. 14 for a day of meetings on diocesan business.

Fran McKendree

On Saturday, Oct. 15 they will be joined by people from across the diocese for a “Diocesan Gathering” featuring noted musician Fran McKendree, who will offer music throughout the two-day event. Exhibits also will be on display, featuring everything from parishes and church agencies to vendors and firms with items for sale. Exhibits in the spacious exhibit hall will be up all day Friday and Saturday. Business will begin on Friday morning with an address by Bishop Dean Wolfe. Items on the agenda will be the election of two members of the Council of Trustees and adoption of a diocesan budget. That evening delegates and guests will enjoy a program lead by McKendree, who is noted throughout the Episcopal Church for his uplifting folk-style music and engaging personality.

Gathering on Saturday

All members of the diocese are invited to attend Saturday’s “Gathering,” which will include morning and afternoon workshops led by McKendree. While those times will focus on music, the workshops are intended for all people to explore their ministry and vocation.

The morning workshop will focus on community-building through the sharing of stories. In the afternoon he will explore rhythm, vocalizing and listening. These events are designed for all members of the diocese; experience as a singer or musician is not required. Saturday afternoon will end with the convention Eucharist, with Bishop Wolfe as celebrant and preacher. Those elected also will be commissioned then.

There also will be special activities for children, and child care will be provided. A meditation room, staffed by members of the Daughters of the King, will be open during Friday’s business session and Saturday’s Gathering workshops.

Convention materials will be mailed to all parishes in coming weeks, and additional information will be posted on the diocesan web site, www.episcopal-ks.org.

These events are being planned by the Community Life Committee led by Judy Nelson, St. John’s, Wichita.

Delegates to face budget challenges

Convention delegates will be asked to wrestle with a difficult budget year when they gather in Wichita in October. The challenge is how to fill a gap of about $200,000 between expected revenues and the amount needed to fund all existing obligations and requests from diocesan staff and committees. Income from parish apportionment is being affected by the loss of more than $200,000 in apportionment income from Christ Church, Overland Park.

In addition, the rate of apportionment has not kept pace with the rate of inflation. Since 1995 apportionment receipts have gone up by 7 percent while the rate of inflation has increased 21 percent. That has resulted in an effective reduction to the diocesan budget of more than $168,000 in current-year dollars.

The Council of Trustees are expected to approve a draft budget in June, with information being sent to parishes and delegates in August. The budget will be debated at convocation meetings in September.

Trustees to be elected

Two at-large members of the Council of Trustees will be elected at this year’s diocesan convention. One lay person and one clergy person are up for election.

All nominations for these positions must be submitted to the nominating committee by Aug. 19, according to committee chair Barbara Gregory, St. Paul’s, Leavenworth. She said the committee will need the nominee’s name, a brief biography and a photograph. Nominee information may be sent to Gregory at administrator @stpaulslvn.org.

Convocations this fall also will select clergy members of the Council of Trustees who will be ratified by the convention.