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 Center, 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.
We kindly ask that everyone who plans to attend convention, whether lay delegate, clergy person, volunteer, exhibitor, convention staff, or guest, complete this registration form before Nov. 2 which helps us prepare to welcome you. Guests can to join us in person or watch the livestream of Convention Eucharist and business on the diocesan YouTube channel.
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 with Diocesan Council elections by Area
1 p.m. – Business session
3 p.m. – Afternoon break
5 p.m. – Convention adjourns
Our guest preacher will be the Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, Bishop of South Carolina. The offertory will be donated to Window Dressers.
Parking is conveniently located in the garage attached to the Abromson Center; the garage entrance is on Surrenden Street (see this map). The $10 parking cost for the day is included in the registration fee. Carpooling is encouraged!
There will be a youth event alongside Diocesan Convention! Youth will gather on Friday, Nov. 6, the night before Convention, at Embassy Suites hotel in Portland for a fun youth event (and pool time!), and then will bring the fun to convention the following day! Learn more here.
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.
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 is 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
Register for Convention
We ask all convention attendees to register by Nov. 2. Early registration fee of $35; after Oct. 25, fee is $50. Please select "scholarship" box to attend for free if needed.
Pre-Convention Meetings
Please plan to attend one of these meetings on Zoom. Registration required. Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, 7-8:30 p.m.
Pre-Convention Journal
ALL convention materials will be posted here by Oct. 13.
Changes to Delegates
Priests or senior wardens who need to revise a certificate should use this form.
Proposed 2027 Budget
Available by Oct. 13
Proposed 2027 Budget - Narrative
Available by Oct. 13
Proposed Resolutions
Available by Oct. 13
Reports to Convention
Available by Oct. 13
Resolutions
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.
The deadline to submit policy resolutions was September 25. The Resolutions Committee (see below) will now ensure that they are clear, in good canonical order, and ready to present. The titles of those submitted are listed below. Finalized language of resolutions to be considered will be published in the Pre-Convention Journal and distributed on October 13.
1 – Crossing the Aisles: Braver Angels Training
2 – The Sarah Braik Memorial Resolution to Prioritize Creation Care
3 – Declaration of Wabanaki Sovereignty and Encouraging Allies
4 – Changing How Income from Investments is Calculated in Diocesan Assessment
5 – Proposing Three-year Averaging of Diocesan Assessment
6 – 2027 Minimum Lay Compensation
7 – 2027 Minimum Compensation for Priests
8 – Calling for Task Force to Review Diocesan Assessment Formula
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.
2027 Diocesan Budget
The full proposed budget for 2027 will be available by Oct. 13.
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 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.
Lay Delegates
All congregations have certified their lay delegates to convention. If you have changes to your delegation, whether duly elected alternates replacing delegates or newly elected delegates, please use the form below.
REVISED Certificate of Lay Delegates
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.
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.
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 required of all who plan to attend convention at USM (delegates, clergy, guests, etc.). It includes a 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.
Elections for Diocesan Leaders
Nominations for the open positions below closed on Sept. 25. See who is running here.
Secretary (elect 1) – 1-yr term
Treasurer (elect 1) – 1-yr term
Standing Committee, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-yr term
Standing Committee, Lay (elect 1) – 3-yr term
Diocesan Council Clergy Representative (elect 1 from each of 6 areas) – 3-yr term
Disciplinary Board, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-yr term
Provincial Conference, Clergy (elect 1) – 3-yr term
Provincial Conference, Lay (elect 1) – 3-yr term
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
Article
Pre-Convention Journal for the 207th Annual Diocesan Convention
Article
Youth at Convention, 2026!
Document
Understanding Your Diocesan Assessment
Article
Ascension Day Call to the 207th Annual Convention, May 14, 2026
Document
2026 Diocesan Convention Childcare Subsidies Available