184th Annual Convention Overview
The theme for our Convention is Love Heals. Our special guest this year is Becca Stevens, the founding director of Magdalene and Thistle Farms located in Tennessee. Becca has been featured on CNN and in other national media. She is also an Episcopal priest, an author and a well-known speaker. In 2011 the White House named Becca a “Champion of Change” for her work against domestic violence. Recently she was featured in the PBS documentary, “A Path Appears”, and named Humanitarian of the Year by the Small Business Council of America.
Magdalene is a residential community for women who have survived lives of prostitution, violence, and abuse. The women live together and support each other through the work of Thistle Farms, a nonprofit bath and body-care business run by the women.
Convention begins with a Keynote talk by Becca Stevens at 10:00am on Friday. This will be followed by a Vermont Panel made up of groups from Vermont who do ministries similar to Becca’s. The panel will have representatives from the Lund Home, The Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence, Committee on Vermont Human Trafficking, DIVAS and Give Way to Freedom.
After hearing the presentation, we will break out for further discussion led by each of the panelists. Please note: this will be at lunch time…you may pre-order your bag lunch or bring your own.
Becca Stevens will lead a forum in the chancel of The Cathedral from 2:15-4:00 pm on Friday. She will also speak during the Friday night banquet and then she will be the Preacher for our Eucharist on Saturday morning.
Becca’s sermon from General Convention, in which she talks about her journey can be found at: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/07/01/becca-stevens-preaches-at-july-1-general-convention-eucharist/
Thank you for taking the time to review this information! We believe we have a very exciting Convention planned. Please watch your email and check this site periodically for updates.
Photo credits: Kristin Sweeting (top) and Peggy Napier (bottom)
Draft Convention Schedule
| Friday, November 4 | |
| 9:00 AM-3:30 PM | Registration |
| 10:00-11:15 | Workshop lead by Becca Stevens |
| 11:30-12:30 | Vermont Panel Discussion with representatives from: The Lund Home, The Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence, The Committee on Vermont Human Trafficking, DIVAS, and Give Way to Freedom |
| 12:30-2:00 | Lunch |
| Panel workshops in conversation groups | |
| 2:15-4:00 | Becca Stevens’s Forum |
| 4:15-5:45 | Convention Call to Order / Worship (Evening Prayer) Bishop’s Address |
| 6:00-6:45 | Social Hour |
| 6:45 | Dinner |
| Saturday, November 5 | |
| 8:00 AM | Registration |
| 8:30 | Eucharist, Becca Steven preaching |
| 10:00 | Convention Resumes |
| 12:15 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Business resumes |
| 3:30 | Adjourn |
How to Register for Convention
To register for Convention please use the link below to access our on-line registration system. Part of the registration process includes the options to order your lunch for Friday and/or to sign up for Friday’s dinner (lunch on Saturday is included in your registration). Up to four (4) individuals may be registered using the on-line system so we encourage you to coordinate the registration process among your parish’s delegation. PLEASE NOTE THAT HOTEL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE DIRECTLY WITH THE HOTEL.
Link to on-line registration: https://form.jotform.com/61604708185962
Registration deadline is October 21, 2016
Convention Cost, Lodging & Parking Information
Convention Cost
- The registration fee is $25.00 per person and includes Friday and Saturday events and a bagged lunch on Saturday.
- Friday lunch is an additional fee of $10; options for this are included in the registration form. Please note- Saturday’s bag lunch is included in your registration fee and no additional action is needed.
- Friday evening’s banquet is an additional fee of $48 per person. The Banquet at the Hilton begins at 6:45 (after social hour from 6-6:45).
Lodging
Guests are responsible for making their own overnight reservations. In order to access the special rate, guests must either call the hotel or use the hotels’ links when making reservations. Accommodations at special rates have been reserved on a first come first served basis at the following hotels:
The Hilton Burlington
Tel: 1-800-HILTONS (800-445-8667) or 802-658-6500
http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/B/BTTVTHF-EDV-20161103/index.jhtml
The Courtyard Marriott, Burlington Harbor
Tel: 802-864-4700
http://cwp.marriott.com/btvdt/episcopaldiocesevt
Parking
Parking is available at conveniently located city parking garages. Handicapped parking is available in the Cathedral lot. Limited metered parking is available on the streets surrounding the Cathedral.
Document Downloads
Convention delegates and others, for your convenience we have provided an archive of downloadable Convention documents below. If you have any questions, please contact Neal R. Robinson, Secretary of Convention (nrobinson@smcvt.edu)
| Document Title (Format) |
Date Issued |
| Email #1: First Call to Convention 2016 (.PDF) | August 15, 2016 |
| Email #2: Call for Resolutions; Call for Nominations; Display Space, Teller Volunteers (.PDF) | August 26, 2016 |
| Call for Nominations 2016 (.PDF) | August 26, 2016 |
| Nomination Form 2016 (Link) | August 26, 2016 |
| 2016 Diocesan Offices to be Elected (.PDF) | August 26, 2016 |
| A letter from Anne Clark Brown, Chair of the Resolutions Committee (“Call for Resolutions Cover Letter 2016”) (.PDF) |
August 26, 2016 |
| A form to be used to submit a resolution to Convention (“Form for Diocesan Convention Resolutions”) (.PDF) |
August 26, 2016 |
| A guide for preparing a resolution for Convention (“Preparing a Resolution 2016”) (.PDF) |
August 26, 2016 |
| 2011 Convention Journal (.PDF) | August 26, 2016 |
| 2012 Convention Journal (.PDF) | August 26, 2016 |
| 2013 Convention Journal (.PDF) | August 26, 2016 |
| 2014 Convention Journal (.PDF) | August 26, 2016 |
| 2015 Convention Journal (.PDF) | August 26, 2016 |