The THRIVING
Spirit of Koinonia
The 2025 Diocesan Convention was held on three dates:
The Pre-Convention Hearing was held on October 16 on Zoom. Watch the recording on YouTube.
The program and convention Eucharist were held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on October 25 and liveastreamed on YouTube. Watch online
- Bishop Shannon preached and presided at the convention Eucharist. Watch her sermon.
- The Rev. adwoa Wilson and The Communities for Spiritual Vitality led the Morning and Noonday Devotionals. The materials are available for download.
- Download the materials for the morning and noonday devotionals:
- Opening Chant
- Noontime Liturgy
- Visio Divina Cards By Order:
- Download the materials for the morning and noonday devotionals:
- The program centered on the theme “The THRIVING Spirit of Koinonia” and presenters shared stories from our recent period of experimentation. These stories are available to watch on YouTube:
- Presentations and handouts for the in-person program are available for download:
The business session for the 2025 Diocesan Convention was held on October 30 on Zoom and livestreamed on YouTube. Watch a recording.
Bishop’s Address
The October 30 session included Bishop Shannons annual address to the diocese. Watch her address on YouTube.
In her address, Bishop Shannon mentioned the following items:
- Mission Leadership Review
- Mission Strategy Goals
- THRIVE Report
- 4. Revise Canons to Amend Canons 13, 14, and 15, and add Canon 15A, as amended.
THRIVE Report
The final report on THRIVE was provided to the convention. Download the report.
Resolutions
The following resolutions were passed by the convention:
- 1. Adoption of the FY 2026 Budget for the Diocese of Vermont
- 2. Establishing Minimum Clergy Compensation for 2026
- 3. Revise Canons to Amend Canons 6.1, 15.3, 18, 27, 29E, and 38 (THRIVE Canons)
- 4. Revise Canons to Amend Canons 13, 14, and 15, and add Canon 15A, as amended.
- 5. Revise Canons to Amend Canons 29C (Rock Point Commons)
- 6. Revise Canons for Clarification
- 7. Direct Canons Committee to Prepare Updated Version of Diocesan Canons
- 8. The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, A Sanctuary and Refuge for the Vulnerable
- 9. Phase Out Fossil Fuels in the Diocese of Vermont by 2034
- 10. Resist Rising Christian Nationalism
- 11. Calling for an End to Genocide and for Lasting Peace in Gaza
Elections
The following nominees were elected:
- Brookhaven Learning and Treatment Center: Judith Castonguay, Brett Murphy, and Martha Roberts
- Commission on Finance: Brendan Means-Koss
- General Convention Clergy: The Rev. Sarah Ginolfi (C1), The Rev. Canon Walter Brownridge (C2), The Rev. Jeremy Means-Koss (C3), and The Rev. Canon Lee Crawford (C4)
- General Convention Lay: Luke Krueger (L1), Tom Little (L2), Anne Brown (L3), and Anna Youngmann (L4)
- Provincial Synod Delegate: Elizabeth Parker
- Provincial Synod Alternate Delegate: Denise Noble
- Rock Point School Board of Trustees: Tricia Kane and Lee McLendon
- Standing Committee: The Rev. Canon Lee Crawford and Colleen Gates
- Trustees of the Diocese: Noma Anderson, Dr. Ann Guillot, and Paul Horn (1-year term)
Courtesy Resolutions
- 1. Honoring the Life and Legacy of the Right Reverand Thomas Clark Ely, 10th Bishop of Vermont
- 2. Honoring the Life and Legacy of the Venerable J. Stannard Baker, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Vermont
- 3. Honoring the Life and Legacy of the Reverend Janet K. Brown
- 4. Thanking the Rt. Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown for her Convention Sermon and Convention Address
- 5. Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, St. Albans, Vermont
- 6. Thanking Phil MacVean and Others for Their Contributions to Creating a Fossil Fuel Free Diocese
- 7. Thanking the Participants in the Saturday Session of “The THRIVING Spirit of Koinonia”
Pre-Convention Journal
The Pre-Convention Journal contains reports from diocesan bodies and entities on their activity from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Download the Pre-Convention Journal
