Dear Companions in Christ,
You are invited to attend the 234th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut on Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27 at the Marriott Hotel in Mystic, CT. Please note that this is a return to our usual October dates for Convention.
As a part of this year's Convention, we are trying on a new model for conducting our business together. This will create more space for prayer and the worship of God, meaningful conversation, and the opportunity for generative work that will help us faithfully live into our work in this new missional age. This email contains more details about this new process, as well as other important information about Convention.
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Something New at Convention...
Every year, your ECCT Convention Planning Team hears the question, "Isn't there something we can do about resolutions?" We understand the sentiment: the process for drafting, submitting, presenting, and debating resolutions seems convoluted. Even though it's designed to be fair for everyone, it feels like you need to know a secret language in order to participate. Plus, you don't get to talk about the ideas behind the resolutions, just the words and sentences on the page. We leave untapped the great wisdom present in the 600+ people who make up Convention.
How can we have those thoughtful conversations and still vote on necessary business matters?
Until recently, we didn't have a good answer. But now we have something new, a different way of doing our business together in Convention, and you are invited to try it on with us.
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We are trying on a new way of doing the work of Convention this year. As a part of this process, you are encouraged to consider a question that you would like the Convention to work on together in lieu of a more traditional resolution. A form to submit a question for consideration is available on the Annual Convention page of our website.
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As a part of this trial year, we will continue to accept duly submitted resolutions that follow the format and guidelines found on the Annual Convention page of the website. All resolutions must be received by the Secretary of Convention before the deadline of September 14, 2018. If you are thinking of a resolution, you are encouraged to consider whether you might submit it instead as a question, as per the details above. Questions considered by Convention will receive far more extensive conversation and exploration than is currently possible with resolutions.
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Reports to Annual Convention should be submitted to the Secretary of Convention by September 14, 2018 in order to allow sufficient time for members of Convention to read and review their contents.
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All Convention attendees must register for Convention. At registration, attendees will be presented with their choice of lunch options for Saturday: Potato Crusted Baked Cod [GF], Yakisoba Pan-Fried Noodles w/miso broth [V], or the Food Allergy Option*. Meals marked GF are gluten-free and V are vegetarian.
- $65 Early Registration - ends June 15
- $85 Regular Registration - ends October 23
- $100 Walk-in Registration - during Convention
- $30 Youth Registration - ends October 23
*For food allergies and for those who are vegan.
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Friday Dinner: Trivia Night!
You are invited to join us on Friday evening for dinner and Trivia Night! It's a contest of wits and useless knowledge with your fellow Episcopalians from all over Connecticut for some fun, local prizes! Tickets for the Friday dinner are $50, and you will have your choice of pan-seared pork chops with bourbon mushroom demi cream sauce [GF], penne primavera with tossed-vegetable ragout [V], or a Food Allergy Option. Registration for the Friday dinner is separate from your Convention registration and is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
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We have negotiated a discounted room rate with the Mystic Marriott for this year's Annual Convention of $149/night. We encourage you to reserve the room before October 1, 2018 to ensure a space. You can receive the group rate by registering online, using the link below, or by calling 877-901-6632 and mentioning that you are with the Episcopal Church in Connecticut group.
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All parishes must report their elected lay delegates to the Secretary of Convention so that we can ensure that they received timely information and updates pertinent to their participation. This year, we will be collecting delegate and alternate reports through the ECCT Parish Survey. If you have previously completed the survey, and you have double-checked that the information your reported for your delegates and alternates is still accurate, then no further action is needed. If you have not yet filled out the Parish Survey, please do so before June 15, 2018. If you need assistance accessing or completing the Parish Survey, please contact Matt Handi at the Commons for help (203-639-3501 x107, [email protected]).
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The 234th Annual Convention will hold elections for positions on the Standing Committee and Mission Council. Details about each election are on the Annual Convention page of the website. All individuals wishing to run for one of these elected seats must complete an electronic biographical form, which is found on the Annual Convention page of the website. As per the Canons of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, the Secretary of Convention must receive all nominations for elected positions no fewer than six weeks before Convention. This year's deadline is September 14, 2018.
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