“What is God up to” in our neighborhoods and communities? This question will be the focus of the presentations, workshops and discussions at the 141st Annual Diocesan Convention. Held once again at the Hilton Hotel in Parsippany, the two-day Convention will begin at 9 a.m. Friday, January 30 with registration, and is slated to conclude at 4 p.m. Saturday, January 31 (see the full proposed agenda).
Even if you’re not attending Convention in person, you can still follow it live on social media. Videos, photos, and updates will be posted on the diocesan Facebook page (facebook.com/dionewark), Twitter feed (twitter.com/dionewark) and the diocese’s new Instagram feed (instagram.com/dionewark). Our official hashtag for social media is #dionewark141.
Here are some highlights of what will take place at this year's Convention:
Speakers
The Rev. Alan Roxburgh
The Rev. Alan Roxburgh of The Missional Network will be guest preacher at the opening Eucharist, which begins at 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
Anyone interested in learning more about joining with God in your neighborhood is invited to an open forum with Roxburgh on Thursday, January 29 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Parsippany Hilton (room Morris 11). If you plan to attend, please RSVP online.
Roxburgh will also facilitate three workshops:
- Reclaiming the Biblical narrative - how do the stories of the Bible give us hope for the future? (Friday 10 a.m.).
- “Being with" rather than "doing for" - a different look at the role of the church in the community (Friday 5:30 p.m.).
- When we run out of solutions – looking for God in surprising places (Saturday 12:30 p.m.).
The Rev. Sara Lilja, Director of the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministries for the New Jersey Synod, will speak about possible joint efforts with our diocese and the Diocese of New Jersey, on social justice issues relevant to New Jersey Episcopalians and Lutherans.
Serena Rice, Executive Director of the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey, will be the speaker at the Women's Commission Breakfast, co-sponsored with the diocesan Justice Board, at 7 a.m. on Saturday, January 31.
Spotlight on congregations, outreach
The Rev. Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith speaking
at the 2014 Convention. NINA NICHOLSON
PHOTO
Bishop Mark Beckwith’s address at the Saturday Morning Worship will, for the first time, be a multimedia presentation, incorporating two videos highlighting how two congregations are exploring what God is up to in their neighborhoods.
The work of fourteen more congregations will be highlighted in the four Mission Minutes videos, each taking a different approach to the question “How did we join God in our neighborhoods in 2014?”
In addition, 2014 outreach grant recipients will be highlighted with a mixed-media Celebration of Outreach Ministries on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., featuring live performances by the St. Stephen's, Millburn PATCH Drumming School and the Choristers of Grace Church, Newark.
Presentation highlights
The Dignity at Work Task Force, commissioned by Convention by Resolution at last year's meeting will report to the plenary on Saturday Morning and have round table discussion workshops to discuss their comprehensive report, Fostering Respect in Church Settings: Collaborating to Reduce Bullying within our Church Community. These workshops will be held 5:30 p.m. on Friday and again at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., and again during dinner Friday evening, you will hear participants in the Missional Initiative: Going Local tell their stories of how they are being transformed through the practice of listening for God in scripture, their congregations, their peers and neighborhoods and how this listening grounds us, gives us confidence, and shifts our focus toward the communities in which God has placed us.
After a year of careful work, the Convention Task Force will present its recommendations for future Conventions.
2015 Budget
Diocesan CFO Paul Shackford will present a balanced proposed 2015 diocesan budget during the Friday afternoon business session. A Budget Forum and Hearing at 4:45 p.m. will give deputies an opportunity to discuss the budget with the Finance Committee before it is put to a vote during the Saturday afternoon business session.
Highlights of Shackford’s report include:
- 2014 ended with an excess of income over expenses.
- The proposed 2015 budget increases outreach spending 5.8% to $171,000, of which 70% will be provided by contributions to the Alleluia Fund for Outreach, with the balance coming from congregational pledges to the diocese and other sources.
- As part of the diocese’s commitment to the “Going Local” initiative, the diocesan Coordinator for Missional Church Strategy has moved from a half-time to a full-time employee in 2015.
Deputies at the 2014 Convention. STEVEN BOSTON PHOTO
Workshops
More than a dozen workshops are being offered before and after business sessions both Friday and Saturday.
A workshop on Online Electronic Giving will be held on Friday at 5:30 pm. This will include a webinar hosted by Vanco Payment Systems outlining a program whereby churches can offer online giving alternatives, such as payment by credit or debit cards and ACH transactions, to their parishioners and others.
GreenFaith will offer a workshop on their Energy Services Program, highlighting the successes and savings of churches in our Diocese who have taken steps to become 'greener' and better stewards of the earth. Meanwhile Senior Ministries’ workshop Mind Matters: Maintaining a Healthy Brain features Laurie Durmaz, a Cognitive Rehabilitation Program Specialist at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.
Diocesan Council is sponsoring two workshops. The Empowering Team will sponsor a workshop on Cross Roads Camp as we continue to discover this valuable asset to our diocese in our own backyard. The Engaging Team will sponsor a workshop facilitated by Lou Schwarcz, President of the Mental Health Association of Morris County called Faith and Health: an integrated approach.
Other workshops include presentations on youth ministries, how to have an impactful mission trip without traveling great distances, and Stewardship: Generational Giving. (See the full workshop schedule.)
New this year
Long-time Convention photographer Steven Boston will set up a portable portrait studio in the Silicon Room for any clergy or lay leader who would like a professional-quality headshot for use in the diocese's online publications. We especially hope that clergy who do not currently have a photo in the online Clergy Directory will take advantage of this opportunity, although clergy who would like to update their photos, as well as lay leaders, are also welcome. Diocesan groups or committees might also consider having a group photo taken. To schedule a photo, please contact Steven directly at stevenab153@gmail.com.
More
Deputies will vote in elections to fill a variety of diocesan positions.
Exhibitors will include 20 ministries and nine vendors. At the exhibit table for North Porch Women’s and Infants' Centers you can drop off donations of their most needed items: size 6 diapers, pull-ups and baby wipes.
As always at Convention, we'll come together as a diocesan family to worship and pray, witness and participate, debate, vote and celebrate. We can’t wait for you to join us!
