Bishop Brian Cole introduces and explores the theme, dates, and location for the upcoming 40th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee. The convention will take place on Friday, February 9th, at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, Knoxville, and on Saturday, February 10th, at the Episcopal School of Knoxville, 2024.

For prayers and resources for the conflict in the Middle East, click here.

We have simplified the digital certification of election for parish leadership to file their delegates, alternates, and clergy for the convention. This year we are asking the Rector, Priest-in-Charge, Deacon-in-Charge, Vicar, or, in the event of no clerical leadership, the Senior Warden or equivalent position on the chapel board to certify the form. 

You can go to our diocesan convention website to learn how many delegates your community may send, to complete the certification form online, and to register and pay for your entire delegation at any time. You may also email Jon Humber at jhumber@dioet.org for a paper version of the certification form or to complete other steps by alternative methods.

Please note: Delegates and clergy will be registered through your parish as a block. However, separate workshop and meal registrations will become available in November or December. Please be on the lookout for a "Workshop" tab at the top of the convention website and for workshop-specific communications in our convention newsletters.

Worshipping Communities have been sent their invitation to apply. Please let Jon Humber know if you have not received this invitation. Applications are due November 6, 2023.  

The deadline for certification is December 15, 2023!

There are three types of registration: Delegation Registration (for the organization), Delegate Participation Registration (for each individual delegate and clergy member), and Visitor Registration (for all others attending the convention).

Delegation Registration ($125 per seat) allows an institution to pay for the number of delegates and clergy that the institution is sending to the convention via their certification. This step may be completed before or after certification.

Delegate Participation Registration, for which the cost is included in the delegation registration your parish or community completes), is to be completed by each delegate and clergy that will attend the convention. This allows us to prepare the appropriate amounts of food (including considerations for food allergies), provide childcare, and any other additional resources or options to make our time more enjoyable. There are no additional costs for delegates or clergy for this registration. Please check your inbox for this registration link after your community completes the certification process.

Visitor Registration ($25 per visitor): This registration is to be completed by anyone wishing to attend the convention who is not a voting delegate or clergy (those accounted for in the certification and delegation registration process). This may include alternates wishing to attend with their delegation, spouses, partners, friends, visitors, or anyone else attending the convention.

Each year, we release a delegate profile. In it, the role and responsibilities of the delegates and participants are outlined with time, resources, and interest commitments. The profile will help you and your community consider whom to send to convention.

This year we are excited to announce the latest openings in elected diocesan leadership. Head to our convention website to see each of the open positions and descriptions of each group. The nominations portal will open on November 15, 2023. So please prayerfully consider whether you or someone you know may be called to serve on one of these diocesan groups. Please note that special rules apply to nominations (details on our website).

This year, we've acquired room blocks at three area hotels. The deadline for reserving your stay at one of these hotels with our group discount is Monday, January 1, 2024. 

This year we continue to utilize our diocesan convention website as the main hub for information regarding the annual convention. This is a great resource for pulling information regarding the diocesan convention and researching previous years' information. On the diocesan convention website, you will find certification, nomination, hotel, delegate and visitor registration, and support information as well as the delegate profile and videos. As we approach the convention, we will release additional information on workshops, event schedules, and more.

Stay up-to-date on the 40th annual convention by going to our convention website.