Disciple: Special Convention Recap

The Special Convention of the Diocese of North Carolina took place March 5, 2022, at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. Affectionately nicknamed “The 206th Annual Convention—Part II,” the gathering was, in fact, a continuation of the work begun at the 206th Annual Convention, held via Zoom in November 2021.

The Convention lived up to its special designation in a number of ways. Most notably, it marked the first in-person, indoor gathering of the diocesan body since the onset of the pandemic. Too, there was no legislative business conducted at the Special Convention, as that took place during the online November session. Instead, the majority of the day was dedicated to the diocesan mission strategy (page 14) and a number of other memorable highlights.

[Image: The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman delivered his address as the sermon during the opening Eucharist at the Special Convention held March 5.]

FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAM

The Special Convention began familiarly, with a traditional pre-Convention offering the night before it convened. On this particular Friday night, the Diocese hosted “What Do Our Actions Say About Our Faith?,” an enlightened conversation about faith and courage with sisters Bree Newsome Bass and Gina Newsome Duncan, M.D. As a psychiatrist and member of St. Michael and All Angels, Charlotte, Duncan works at the intersection of faith and healing and as an artist and activist; Bass, widely known for her removal of the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina capitol building in protest of systemic racism, cites her faith as her motivation in tackling issues such as race, poverty and human rights.

Because of safety precautions necessitated by COVID-19, Bass and Duncan presented via Zoom. Not a step was lost during the digital offering, as the sisters, who consider their faith to be a major part of their work, spoke about the urgent need to apply our faith to daily actions and recognize how God continues to work present-day miracles even in times of crisis.

OPENING EUCHARIST

The prelude to the opening Eucharist was provided by newly installed diocesan chancellor Martin Brinkley on the oboe. In addition to the talents he brings to his role as chancellor, he is an accomplished musician. Following the prelude, the procession began with the parade of church banners representing those in attendance.

The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman offered his address as the sermon, reflecting upon the lessons learned during the pandemic and the hope to be found in the Convention’s theme, “Then we were like those who dream” (Psalms 126:1), and how it relates to the work of the diocesan mission strategy. “This special convention is all about God’s mission for the Diocese of North Carolina,” he said. “Notice I said God’s mission. Our mission belongs to God. We are invited to join with God, to be partners in God’s mission.

“Here’s the most important thing about being invited to partner with God: God does the heavy lifting. We each have a part to play, we each are called to share in this mission, but we are not supposed to carry the full weight on our shoulders. That is God’s work.

“As Jesus taught, and promised, ‘Come to me you that travail and are heavy laden and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’

“That means the first question of any mission strategy is a very simple one, ‘How will we walk with Jesus today?’ And here is better news. There is no wrong answer to this question. Because when we walk with Jesus, we are in good company.

“Walking with Jesus is not just a call or a mission. It is a gift. It is Jesus’ gift to us. In our isolation, in our grief, in our tiredness, we are not alone. Jesus is walking with us. Jesus is by our side, sharing the yoke.

“I prayed a prayer during the pandemic that became something of a mantra. I would offer it late at night when I couldn’t sleep. It was a simple prayer: God, I thank you for watching over us. Jesus, I thank you for walking beside us. Holy Spirit, I thank you for working within us to help us become the beloved community you created us to be.”

The opening Eucharist also included the commissioning of the Rev. Canon Dr. Sally French as diocesan canon for east regional ministry and collaborative innovation, and Jenny Beaumont as diocesan missioner for adult and lifelong formation.

The offertory of the service was dedicated to All Saints’, Warrenton, and the new vision underway to honor the past and new future of the sacred space.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

While most of the day was dedicated to exploring the mission strategy, there was still time for several memorable moments to occur.

[Bishop Rodman presented the Bishops’ Medal Award to long-time diocesan chancellor Ed Embree.]

Ed Embree was awarded the first of two Bishops’ Medal Awards for his years of dedicated service to the Diocese. His contributions are too many to list in full; they include service as a delegate to Annual Convention (St. Philip’s, Durham), 1989-2005; member of Diocesan Council; member of the Convention committee on the program of the church; member of the nominating committee in the search for the 11th bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina; chair of the Convention Host Committee; and chancellor of the Diocese of North Carolina and parliamentarian to Convention, 2006-2021. Embree was honored and thanked for the way in which he inhabited and performed those roles with great faithfulness and grace, deep wisdom and fairness in every situation and deliberation, and a special gift for recognizing and balancing the needs of both individuals and the wider body in every consideration and discernment.

The second of the two Bishops’ Medal Awards was given to Wade Gresham, longtime diocesan treasurer, in thanks for his 12 years of service, including a deferral of his intended retirement date to help see the Diocese through the worst of the pandemic. Gresham was honored during the November gathering with the intent of presenting him with the award in March; he was unable to attend the Special Convention, and the gathering was assured his award would reach him. The bishops noted Gresham’s devotion to and oft-demonstrated love of the Diocese of North Carolina while presenting the award in absentia.

The current seminarians were introduced via video and in person: Phillip Bass, Josiah Daniels, Sarah Diener-Schlitt, Keith Esposito, Sarah Koppelberger and Taylor Vines.

Diocesan Council member Garland Homes presented the report on the State of the Church; the Rev. Leon Spencer presented the report for global mission and our companion dioceses in Botswana and Costa Rica; and youth ministry and campus ministry presented via video.

A report on the chartered committee on environmental ministry by chair David McDuffie was followed by the awarding of two The Rev. Tom Droppers Memorial Green Congregation Awards. The first, granted for the year 2020, was given to Holy Family, Chapel Hill, for their church composting program that expanded to include their surrounding neighborhood. The second, awarded for 2021, was given to St. Ambrose, Raleigh, for The Healing Pod, a three-phase project that includes “education through podcasts about environmental racism, spiritual formation through the installation of the labyrinth and spiritual and emotional healing through horticulture” (description from the St. Ambrose website).

While Spanish translation has long been an offering at in-person annual diocesan conventions, the Special Convention marked the first time the livestream was offered simultaneously in both English and Spanish.

The Special Convention of the Diocese of North Carolina concluded with a blessing by Rodman before officially adjourning. The time went quickly, but all in attendance felt blessed to be able to gather in community once again.

THE 207TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

The 207th Annual Convention will take place November 18-19 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem.

Don’t forget to elect your delegates this summer! Certificates of election for lay delegates are due to the secretary of convention by August 1.

Learn more about the 207th Annual Convention.