Schedule

Below is the schedule for diocesan convention. Two specific spots are mandatory for parochial clergy and lay delegates: Saturday morning check-in and the business meeting. Please continue to check this schedule as we add additional offerings and publications. 

Pre-Convention Activity

Continuing to leverage technology to increase access to pre-convention orientations, presentations, and hearings and to be good stewards of resources, we will host a delegate orientation to orient clergy and lay delegates and alternates to this year’s diocesan convention. All clergy and lay delegates and alternates are encouraged to attend this meeting. A recording will be available afterward on the convention website homepage and below.

Clergy and lay delegates and alternates will receive a direct invitation to register for the delegation meeting. Please look for an email from Bro. Andrew outlining each meeting with its corresponding Zoom registration link.

A pre-recorded presentation will be available to all to watch from the Diocesan Treasurer and Bishop Brian Cole on behalf of the Finance Committee for the Budget Hearing. This video will be available after the Delegate Orientation.

We will also replay the recording prior to the hearing listed below beginning at 11:30 am Eastern.

Had an energy audit and want to know how to implement energy efficiencies? Think your house of worship needs an energy audit? Energy professionals will walk through a sample audit by TVA, answer questions about implementing recommendations, assist with problem solving, and consult on financing options. This even is sponsored by Church of the Good Shepherd and Tennessee Interfaith Power and Light. While this event is a second part to a previously offered workshop, all are welcome to attend to learn more about energy efficiency and houses of worship.

3The Justice in Banking task force is offering both an online workshop and an in-person forum for convention. Their work culminated with the drafting of the Justice in Banking policies initiated by resolution 2023-08 from the 2024 diocesan convention. On Monday, February 3, at 7:00 PM, an online Zoom workshop will be hosted for parish leadership and interested members who wish to learn more about the new policy, how to approach best investing and banking practices, and to live out our call to respecting the dignity of every human being even in our financial practices. See below for information on the in-person forum.

The pre-convention presentation and hearing for the Constitution & Canons Committee has been canceled. No resolutions were either brought to or raised by the committee. We will update the convention body should anything change.

The pre-convention presentation and hearing for the General Resolutions Committee has been canceled. No resolutions were either brought to or raised by the committee. We will update the convention body should anything change.

Join members of the Elections Committee for a special session to meet the nominees for elected positions at the convention.

Join members of the Finance Committee for their hearing on the diocesan budget before it goes to the diocesan convention business meeting. The pre-recorded budget presentation will be available to view at any time. It will also be streamed beginning at 11:30 am in the Zoom hearing. 

This meeting is open to all East Tennessee Episcopalians. Please register for the Zoom meeting. 

Diocesan Convention Schedule

Friday, February 7, 2025

All parochial clergy, church staff, and delegates are required to be in compliance and current with their Safe Church requirements by February 8, 2025. To help with this, the diocese will offer in-person training prior to the business meeting.  This just-in-time opportunity is before the Convention Eucharist. Training can also be completed online any time before the deadline. 

This training is for clergy, staff, and convention delegates who still need to complete their course requirements. Additional public in-person opportunities will be offered in 2024.

Compliance must meet our diocesan standards. If someone has moved from a different diocese where they were required to take fewer courses, they must complete the missing work. If someone completed the “old” courses that met the Diocese of East Tennessee standards at the time of training, then they are considered to be compliant until the 3-year expiration date of their most recent certification.

If you have any questions contact your Parish Safe Church Coordinator or Emily Kirk, Diocesan Parish Support Specialist and Safe Church Administrator at ekirk@dioet.org or 865-966-2110.

The in-person forum for the Justice in Banking task force will take place at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church on Friday, February 7, beginning at 2:00 PM in the nave. No registration is required. Come join other parish and community leaders as we explore ways to live out our call to justice in our financial practices. 

All are invited to attend the diocesan convention Holy Eucharist worship service held at the Episcopal School of Knoxville.

For those wishing to view the service online, we will livestream the service on our dedicated worship page.

The youth lock-in will take place at the Episcopal School of Knoxville with an outing planned to SkyZone. For more information and registration, please email Jesse Adkins at jadkins@dioet.org.

After the convention eucharist, a social hour will be held in Googe Hall. Meet your fellow delegates, clergy, diocesan staff, and visitors.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Check-in for clergy and lay delegates as well as visitors will begin at 8:00 am at the Episcopal School of Knoxville (950 Episcopal School Way, Knoxville, TN 37932). Please note that participation in any events on Friday does not count toward check-in. We must ensure a proper count for the business meeting and know which visitors are present for the day of the business meeting.

Please look for the registration table the Siler Gym lobby. Please note this is a new location for registration check-in.

This year’s Ministry Fair will be located in Googe Hall (not in the adjacent hallway). Learn more about various ministries that are affiliated and associated with our diocese. Refreshments will also be available in Googe Hall.

Head to Siler Gym to gather ahead of the business meeting with music and morning prayer led by our diocesan youth. 

As part of our convention theme to “Imagine Our Possibilities”, we will engage in visioning sessions as part of the business meeting on Saturday. Throughout the schedule of business, we will engage in sessions at our tables to explore our dreams, visions, and possibilities for our unique expression of Episcopal life in East Tennessee. 

The business meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 am, break for lunch and ministry fair, and then resume at 1:00 pm until adjournment. Please ensure that you have downloaded and familiarized yourself with the convention PDF (released in late January 2025) prior to arriving to the business meeting.

It would not be a proper convention without lunch! Make sure to grab your lunch before heading to a workshop or visiting the ministry open house.

Adjournment

Convention will end with the completion of our afternoon business meeting session.