From the Convention Secretary
To the Lay Delegates, Clergy, and People of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes,
Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
As Secretary of the Convention for the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, it is with great anticipation that I issue this formal Call to the Third Annual Convention of our Diocese. As we continue to journey together as one diocese and build on Christ our foundations for our future of ministry, we celebrate a major milestone at our third convention: the election of our first bishop diocesan.
The third convention of The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes will be held October 23 and 24 at the Delta Hotels Muskegon Convention Center. Our theme for our gathering is “How Firm a Foundation,” reminding us that as we embark on this new chapter in our diocese that our foundation, as ever, is set deeply in the love and example of Christ.
For information, please read below and visit the convention page of our website.
This notice has been sent to all clergy, senior wardens, and general subscribers as well as to identified delegates and alternates for whom we had email addresses. Please communicate with your delegation to ensure that all people received this notice and, if someone who should have received it did not, please reach out to our Director for Communication, Rachel Rose, for help troubleshooting.
We look forward to gathering together at this annual meeting, where we will collectively deliberate, discern, and advance the mission of Christ in our diocese.
Faithfully in Christ,
Mr. Mark Sullivan
Secretary of Convention
The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes
2026 Theme: A Foundation of Steadfast Love
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Two years in, we are no longer a brand-new diocese. We are moving beyond the foundational work of juncture to chart our path forward, fully recognizing that we are already blessed with a firm foundation – Jesus Christ and the steadfast love of our Triune God.
We the people of the Diocese of the Great Lakes will come together this year, in part, to elect a new leadership team – our first Bishop Diocesan, as well as new members of the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, Treasurer, and Secretary of Convention. Exercising a shared episcope, these leaders will live into their particular roles, building upon our foundation and, guided by the Spirit, leading us into this new chapter of mission and ministry.
As we come together for our third convention, we will celebrate the successes of the last year, tell the stories of steadfast love worked out in our local communities, and look to find ways to build each other up, sharing our gifts with one another as the earliest Christians did so well. We lift up this theme to remind ourselves of all we have accomplished together, of the foundations we have laid and are building upon, and of God’s steadfast love, a love that thankfully never ceases. May this theme become a part of your prayers for each other leading up to and during our convention.
Dates and Deadlines
August 3
Deadline to submit Nominations for Diocesan Officer/Governing Body Elections
August 11, 3 p.m.
Budget Town Hall
August 13, 7 p.m.
Budget Town Hall
August 24
Deadline to Propose a Resolution
September 1
Deadline to submit Nominations for Youth Delegates
Deadline to provide a report for the Diocesan Convention Booklet
September 22
Deadline to register for rooms at convention rate at the Delta Hotels Muskegon Convention Center, Hampton Inn Muskegon, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites at convention rates.
September 25
Deadline to Register for Ministry Table Space
Space is limited and may fill before the deadline – register early!
October 6, 7 p.m.
Pre-Convention Meeting 1
All pre-convention meetings will have the same presentation. Delegates must attend only one.
October 8
Deadline to Register for Convention
October 13, 3 p.m.
Pre-Convention Meeting 2
All pre-convention meetings will have the same presentation. Delegates must attend only one.
October 15, 7 p.m.
Pre-Convention Meeting 3
All pre-convention meetings will have the same presentation. Delegates must attend only one.
October 23, 24
Third Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes
Schedule
Friday
8:30 a.m.
Check In Opens
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Workshop Block 1
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Workshop Block 2
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Business Session
6:00 p.m.
Dinner
7:30 p.m.
Evening Session & Discernment Conversation
8:30 p.m.
Compline
Saturday
8:30 a.m.
Liturgy Rehearsal
9:15 a.m.
Choir Rehearsal,
Processional Line Up
9:45 a.m.
Doors Open for Eucharist
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
11:45 a.m.
Boxed Lunch for Registered Convention Attendees
12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Business Session
(completion of any unfinished business, bishop election)
Worship
The heart of our gatherings together is always liturgy, “the work of the people” in which we pray and worship together; our diocesan convention is no different. The Diocese of the Great Lakes is most fully embodied when we gather for convention; therefore, we bookend our convention in prayer and gather together around Christ’s table. Through worship, we are shaped into the people and community we are called to be. We are formed by the prayers we offer and the bread and wine we share.
As we prepare to meet together for convention and as you anticipate plenary presentations, motions, amendments (and amendments to the amendments), elections of officers, and the election of our first bishop diocesan, prepare also for worship. Remind yourself that through the work of the people, the Spirit is at work, guiding us to perceive what is right and giving us the courage and grace to pursue it.
Saturday Eucharist
On Saturday, before we gather to elect our first bishop diocesan, we will gather in the great prayer of the church, Holy Eucharist. We anticipate that a number of people in addition to our Convention delegates and registered convention guests will wish to come worship on-site with us. Our Holy Eucharist will be held at the convention center so that we can accomodate all who are able and wish to attend on-site. Doors will open at 9:45 a.m. for the 10:00 a.m. service.
The service will be live-streamed.
Important notes about our Celebration of Holy Eucharist
- On-site attendance at Eucharist is not limited to registered convention attendees and delegates. All are welcome, but space is limited. More details will be available in the second call to convention in September.
- There will be no banner processional or water ingathering for the Eucharist. Space will not allow for such an involved processional.
- Clergy are invited to vest and process. Alb or cassock with surplice with red stole.
- Back by popular demand this year: our diocesan choir! Look for more information in the weeks to come about participating.
Convention Book
As in previous years, all materials for the meeting and resources for worship will be included in our forthcoming digital convention booklet, which will be first available with the Second Call to Convention in September. Attendees are asked to ensure they will have access to these materials during the course of our meeting, either through the use of a digital device (most up-to-date) or by printing ahead of time. Thank you for helping conserve resources, both financially and in the care of creation.
Location
On Site
Our third Diocesan Convention will be held at Vandyk Mortgage Convention Center located at 460 W Western Avenue in Muskegon.
VMCC encompasses the latest trends in meeting and convention venues with a sophisticated design, open concept, easy connectivity, and stunning views of Muskegon Lake and Downtown Muskegon.
All workshops, worship services, and plenary sessions (including convention business and the bishop election) will be held in this space. Ample on-site parking is available and all convention offerings apart from the children’s space will be located on the same, fully accessible floor which also includes an all-gender restroom.
Online
We know that travel to different areas of the state is prohibitive for many in our diocese and that, particularly this year, people beyond convention delegates will desire to participate in convention worship services and observe our bishop election. Our aim is to inclusively foster equity between online and on-site experiences, giving every member of our diocese access to the work and worship of our diocesan convention.
Plenary Sessions
All plenary sessions, including those on Friday afternoon and evening and the bishop election session on Saturday afternoon, will be live-streamed. Direct links to the streams and timing will be made available in the second call to convention in September.
Workshops
Workshops will not be livestreamed.
Worship
Saturday’s service of Holy Eucharist will be livestreamed. Direct links to the stream will be made available in the second call to convention in September.
Lodging
939 Third Street
Muskegon, MI 49440
On Site:
Connected to Van Dyk Mortgage Convention Center
Nightly Rate: $159.00 plus tax
Booking Deadline: September 22, 2026
Amenities:
Free WiFi, On-site Restaurant and coffee shop, Pool, Fitness center, Business center, Parking
You can also call in your reservation at 833-999-0181. You will need to ask specifically for the Group Block under EDGL Annual Convention (code EDGL).
1401 E Ellis Road
Muskegon, MI 49444
Off Site:
15 minute drive to Van Dyk Mortgage Convention Center
(Directions)
Nightly Rate:
$149.00 plus tax
Booking Deadline:
September 22, 2026
Amenities:
Off-site, Hot breakfast, WiFi, Parking, Pool, Fitness Center, Pet-Friendly Rooms
1744 Patriot Drive
Muskegon, MI 49444
Off Site:
15 minute drive to Van Dyk Mortgage Convention Center
(Directions)
Nightly Rate:
$159.00 plus non-waivable $5 amenities fee and tax
Booking Deadline:
September 22, 2026
Amenities:
Breakfast, Pool, Fitness Center, Parking, Business Center, WiFI
No pets are allowed at this location.
Pre-Convention Meetings
Voting delegates and all members of our diocese are invited to join one or more online pre-convention meetings to prepare for the business sessions of our convention. Attendees will have the opportunity to preview and discuss the proposed 2026 Diocesan Budget and submitted resolutions.
Pre-convention meetings will be recorded for later viewing for those unable to join live. You must RSVP separately from your convention registration to participate in a pre-convention meeting.
There will be no business conducted during Pre-Convention meetings, so the presented content (although not the questions) will be consistent across meetings. Everyone is welcome to join the meeting that best suits their schedule.
Bishop Election
Our third diocesan convention will be the electing convention for the first bishop diocesan of The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes.
Per our bishop election timeline, in July, our Bishop Search Committee will present a proposed slate of candidates for election, after which the Standing Committee will release the slate publicly and a two-week petition window will open.
Also in July, we will share the full rules for the bishop election so that delegates, visitors to convention, and others who anticipate observing the election will be prepared for this important milestone.
Finally, once the slate is finalized, the Bishop Transition Committee will share a number of resources to help you get to know the candidates, prepare for candidate Meet-and-Greets in September, and host congregation-level discernment conversations.
Youth Delegates
High school-aged young people are invited to participate at the diocesan convention by applying to become a Youth Delegate. Youth Delegates are leaders in their congregation and in the diocese and have voice and vote at convention.
Anyone is welcome to nominate a youth, and youth are welcome to apply. Formation staff will contact nominees in late September regarding the status of their application.
There is no out-of-pocket cost for the youth delegates to participate. Lodging, food, and registration fees are included.
The deadline for nominations for youth delegates is September 1. If you have any questions, please contact McKenzie Bade-Knill, Director for Formation and Camping, with any questions.
Please keep watch later this summer for an email about applying to be on our new Diocesan Youth Council.
Budget
“Budgets are moral documents.” That phrase, often attributed to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., encapsulates the ways in which our shared values are on full display in our budget in how much money we plan to allot to different ministries and functions. Passing the budget for the next fiscal year (January – December) is a primary and canonically-required business task of our annual diocesan convention. At the heart of our budget, we can see the decisions we’re making to help each other and congregations across our diocese not just survive, but thrive in the work of embodying the love of Christ with grace, hope, and joy in our times and spaces.
Because our budget is not a stagnant spreadsheet but a living document, it is vital that our entire diocese participates in the work of understanding and contributing to our fiscal planning. Everyone – not just clergy and not just delegates! – can exercise agency to help in this process. To that end, last year we introduced budget townhalls into our diocesan rhythm and we’re continuing that pattern for our 2027 fiscal planning. These meetings, separate and in addition to our pre-convention meetings, are open to everyone in our diocese. Last year, feedback we received at those meetings was incorporated by our treasurer and Finance Committee into the budget before it was sent to the Diocesan Council for approval to be presented at Convention. Your feedback made a difference!
We’ll share a draft budget document from the Finance Committee in advance of these meetings. For now, mark your calendars for one of our two budget townhalls, each of which will present the same information and be hosted online on Zoom.
Reports to Convention
One of the functions of our Diocesan Convention is to “[r]eceive, order filed, or reject reports of officers and other instrumentalities” [II.3.5(i)].
To that end, all diocesan bodies, ministries, and entities (including those which are included in the 2026 diocesan budget) should submit a report to the Diocesan Convention about their activities in the past year. The deadline to submit reports to convention is Tuesday, September 1.
In the coming weeks, ministry/body leaders will receive a request to complete a report to the Diocesan Convention; however, there’s no need to wait! The form to submit reports is open. Please do not email reports to diocesan staff people. Using the form helps to keep our information organized and accessible.
Ministry Tables
At the convention center, we will have dedicated space for Ministry Tables. Formerly called “Exhibits” or “Exhibit Tables,” the change in name reflects a clearer description of their purpose: to showcase resources, partnerships, and opportunities to support ministry and ministry development in our diocese.
We ask that you make your table visually appealing and have at least one person staffing it at all appropriate times.
There is no cost to host a Ministry Table; however, please note that you must register for convention to receive convention meals.
If you would like space to feature your ministry, please register your booth no later than September 25. Space is limited and may run out before the deadline!
Nominations
At our second convention, we expect to elect:
A Secretary of Convention
(either clergy or lay)A Treasurer of the Diocese
(either clergy or lay)Three members of Standing Committee
(one clergy, one lay, and one at-large)Four members of Diocesan Council
(two clergy, two lay)
All nominees are required to complete Safe Church and Dismantling Racism training, or have a plan to complete this training, prior to beginning their term of service.
For information about Safe Church, Safe Communities Training, contact Mary Simpson.
The Becoming Beloved Community: Dismantling our Divisions committee will host a Zoom Dismantling Racism training before our convention. It will meet once weekly from August 27 through October 1. Time and registration details are forthcoming.
For the procedure you can follow to hold a locally led in-person Dismantling Racism training, click here.
The deadline to submit nominations is August 3.
There will be no nominations from the floor.
The Chair of the Nominations Committee is Mary Simpson.
Resolutions
From An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church:
A [resolution is a] proposed action or decision that is to be considered by a legislative body such as… a diocesan convention… The legislative vote is taken only on the substance of the resolution, which follows the word ‘Resolved’ in the working of the resolution. Reasons, intentions, and justifications for resolutions may be included in a statement of explanation that follows the resolution. This information provides legislative history for future interpretation, but it is not included in the formal resolution.
Resolutions may be proposed by four clergy and four laypeople using the form linked below. All resolutions will be reviewed by the Resolutions Committee.
The deadline for resolutions to be considered at our third convention is August 24.
The Co-Chairs of the Resolutions Committee are the Revs. Kay Houck and Nancy Mayhew.
FAQs
We anticipate that there will be a lot of questions about diocesan convention this year! If you don’t see your question addressed below, please contact our Diocesan Office.
Great question! Our Bishop Transition and Standing Committees are finalizing the election rules now. We will communicate those standards (and update this page) when the slate of candidates is released, if not sooner.
Anyone is welcome to attend the election of our first bishop diocesan at the Van Dyk Mortgage Convention Center on Saturday, October 24, 2026. However, seating will prioritize lay and clergy delegates first, then registered convention guests, and then election visitors. The election (and our Friday business session) will also be streamed on our diocesan YouTube page.
Registration and hotel information will be included in the first call to convention which will be sent to all clergy, parish leaders, and lay convention delegates by the end of June.
Absolutely! Our site is fully accessible. We recommend entering the convention center through the lobby of the Delta Hotel and following signs for the convention center. There are no stairs between the Delta Hotel lobby and the convention spaces which include meeting rooms in the Delta Hotel and the Van Dyk Convention Center. There are 200 parking spaces on site at the Delta, with plenty more public parking within one block of it. With the exception of the children’s programming space and one of the two all-gender restrooms, all on-site events are on the same floor.
Children are more than welcome! Our diocesan convention is more than just a canonically-required gathering. It is a time for people all across our diocese to come together in one place. Our children and youth are not merely tag-alongs to diocesan events; they are as much an embodiment of the diocese as any other human!
Director for Formation and Camping, McKenzie Bade-Knill, is arranging a robust on-site children’s program. For more information about that program or to volunteer to help, please contact McKenzie.
You do not! Our prayer service on Friday night and convention Eucharist on Saturday morning are open events. In addition, both worship services will be streamed to our diocesan YouTube page.
Registration is required for:
- All lay and clergy delegates (only registered delegates will be given a voting device and voting credentials).
- All meals included with convention registration.
- Convention workshops
- The Children’s Program
Convention III Planning Team
Director for Formation and Camping, Diocesan Staff
Interim Executive Officer, Diocesan Staff
Standing Committee, Grace, Traverse City
Kevin Simons
Liturgy Committee, St. John’s, Saginaw
Diocesan Administrator, Diocesan Staff
Bishop Transition Committee, Epiphany, South Haven
Liturgy Committee, St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo
