TO: Clergy Canonically Established in the Diocese, Lay Delegates, Lay Alternate Delegates 

FROM: The Secretary of Convention 

DATE: September 15, 2024 

RE: Registration is Open for Diocesan Convention

Convention will once again be held in person at The Conference Center at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Please note that all voting delegates must be present at the convention venue. The convention, including the Eucharist, will be streamed, but interactive online participation will not be offered. 

Please watch the Convention website for the most up to date information: www.diocesewma.org/convention

You will find the Convention Timetable and the Nominations booklet and Nomination form on the For Delegates tab.

Diocesan Convention has always been a ministry of our diocese and heavily subsidized from our annual budget. We have managed to keep costs low - unusually low. Online conventions during the pandemic obviously cut the biggest costs for two years. Even as we returned to in-person, UMASS has been a great choice in location and affordability. We have not, however, budgeted for the outsourcing of sound and video - the kind of services that have become a regular expense of convention for neighboring dioceses for some time. In 2024 we are making the leap. Our diocese is increasing the subsidy but we must also ask more of our delegates. This is not a "one off" year, but the beginning of being where we need to be. It will be helpful for congregations to budget this fee annually going forward.

This is a hard shift to make and we know it. But the services we need for church in the digital age come at a cost. We hope you understand.

If you wish to register other members of your delegation, you must begin a new form with the email they will use to vote. Voting credentials or tied to individual email addresses. In addition, you'll need to know their dietary and accessibility concerns.

See you on November 9th!