Cherishing the Wondrous Works of God
The 207th Convention of the Diocese of Maine
“Our annual convention gives us the opportunity to come together and, bolstered by our faith in Jesus Christ, cultivate the relationships, policies, and programs that advance our common mission.“
— Bishop Thomas Brown
Saturday, November 7
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Abromson Community Education Center at the
University of Southern Maine, Portland
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine gathers together annually to conduct the business of our diocese and worship together. The clergy of the diocese along with elected lay delegates from each congregation in Maine are the voting body.
Everyone attending should register. Guests are welcome to join us in person or watch the livestream of Convention business and Eucharist on the diocesan YouTube channel.
Basic Agenda
7:30 – 8:45 a.m. Check-in at Abromson Center; refreshments available
9 a.m. Convention convenes with Eucharist
10:30 a.m. Business session
Noon Lunch
1 p.m. Business session
5 p.m. Convention adjourns
Parking is conveniently located in the garage attached to the Abromson Center; the garage entrance is on Surrenden Street (see this map). The diocese will cover the $10 per car fee for the day, and carpooling is encouraged.
Parents/primary caregivers who have children 10 and under and who are required to attend Diocesan Convention (e.g., clergy, delegates) are eligible for a childcare subsidy. The maximum amount for each child is $50. Eligible parents should follow the instructions and submit the request form here by Nov. 27, 2026.
We ask that everyone take precautions against spreading diseases. If you are feeling sick and think you might be contagious, stay home. Please wear a mask if you start to feel sick or have been around anyone who has been sick recently. Masks will be available.
Certificate of Delegates
Priests (or senior wardens or clerks in congregations without a priest): please use the certificate below to let us know the names and email addresses of those elected to serve as lay delegates to convention.
Delegates should be comfortable using technology. In addition to pre-convention meetings on Zoom, they will need to be able to cast a vote via smartphone or computer during convention. Read more about the responsibilities of lay delegates here. Find sections of our constitution and canons relevant to delegates here.
Not sure whether your congregation has already certified delegates? There are two ways to check:
- Look at the dropdown menu listing congregations on the form itself. If you’ve already submitted the form, your church won’t be listed.
- Check your email! A confirmation copy of the certificate is emailed immediately after the form is submitted.
The form will ask for the Average Sunday Attendance as provided on the church’s 2025 Parochial Report. Although that report asked churches to report online attendance, the ASA statistic continues to be defined as in-person attendance. Find your ASA number on the first column of this report.
Certificate of ASA and Lay Delegates to Diocesan Convention
Please note that “certification” of delegates is not the same as “registration”. Certification is a canonical requirement of each congregation. Registration is an individual RSVP. and will open at a later date. It will include a registration fee and place for you to let us know if you have dietary restrictions or accessiblity needs.
If you have any questions or need to make changes to your original certificate, please email Wendy Kopera.
Prepare for Diocesan Convention by Attending One of Two Meetings
We’ll hold two pre-convention meetings on Zoom in October. Delegates and clergy should plan to attend one of these meetings. This will be an opportunity to discuss the budget and resolutions with the same information presented at each. Registration will be required for these online meetings.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 5:30-7 p.m. Register here.
- Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, 7-8:30 p.m. Register here.
The agenda will cover the following:
- 2027 Proposed Budget
- Proposed Resolutions
- Check-in and Voting Procedures
Submit a Resolution by Sept. 25
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine is now accepting proposed resolutions for the 2026 Diocesan Convention. Proposed resolutions may be submitted at any time by any parish or individual before the deadline of Sept. 25, 2026.
What is a diocesan resolution? It’s a proposed action or decision that is to be considered by a legislative body at diocesan convention. The legislative vote is taken only on the substance of the resolution, which follows the word “Resolved” in the working or body of the resolution. Reasons, intentions, and justifications for resolutions may be included in a statement of explanation that follows the resolution in a separate section. This information provides legislative history for future interpretation, but it is not included in the formal resolution.
This brief guide along with the online submission form below will help those submitting resolutions consider important questions and formulate the resolution into language suitable for debate.
Members of the Resolutions Committee are Marge Kilkelly, Christ Church, Gardiner, Chair; Samuel Allen, Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland; The Rev. Sara Gavit, St. Anne’s, Calais; The Rev. Thomas Mousin, Retired; The Rev. Chris Warne, St. Martin’s, Palmyra and St. John the Baptist, Brownville Junction; Betsy York, Aroostook Cluster; Lauralee Raymond, Staff Liaison; Gordon Gayer, Chancellor.
Elections for Diocesan Leaders
Nominations are due by Sept. 25.
The following positions are open:
Secretary (elect 1) – 1-year term
Treasurer (elect 1) – 1-year term
Standing Committee, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-year term
Standing Committee, Lay (elect 1) – 3-year term
Diocesan Council Clergy Representative (elect 1 from each of 6 areas) – 3-year term
Disciplinary Board, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-year term
Provincial Conference, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-year term
Provincial Conference, Lay (elect 1) – 3-year term
2027 Diocesan Budget
The 2027 Draft Assessment/Episcopate Worksheet for the Diocese of Maine is provided now to help your congregation with 2027 budget planning. The figures are not final—they remain subject to review and will not be official until approved at Convention. The full proposed budget for 2027 will be available following the Diocesan Council meeting on Sept. 26.
The Diocese of Maine calculates each congregation’s Central Diocesan Fund Assessment using Net Operating Income (NOI) as reported on the Supplemental Financial Report included in your parish’s Parochial Report. The first $10,000 of NOI is assessed at 5 percent and the balance is assessed at 15 percent. The Episcopate assessment is calculated separately at $1.75 per Communicant in Good Standing (CIGS). Learn more via the button below.
A Prayer for Convention
Please pray for the entire convention, your bishop and staff, for all delegates and the decisions they have made, and those who have offered themselves for leadership roles. We thank all for their service and faithfulness.
Prayer for a Church Convention
