Diocesan Convention

The annual Convention is where members of the diocesan community gather to conduct the business of the diocese, strengthen fellowship, equip and expand their capacity for ministry, and renew their faith through prayer and worship.

The annual Convention and special conventions are convened by the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese, usually the bishop, or in the absence of a bishop, by the Standing Committee. Each parish of the diocese is entitled to appoint up to four lay deputies to serve as members of the Convention. All clergy canonically resident in the diocese, and in good standing, are considered members of Convention.

Occasionally Special Conventions are convened to address a matter of critical consequence to the life, work and health of the diocese; or to elect a bishop.

The principal business of the Convention is to address legislation and resolutions, elect officers of Convention, and members and representatives of canonical bodies, establish the assessment for funding the diocesan budget, and adopting a budget for the coming year. The bishop, who serves as president of Convention, gives his report on the state of the diocese in his pastoral address.

Formation and education are an integral part of Convention through workshops, presentations, exhibits, and networking. A program, speaker, or new initiative is often highlighted during the business sessions, and ministry celebrated through the presentation of the Bishop’s Shield award to persons who given exemplary service to their churches and communities.

Prayer and worship undergird all aspects of Convention, most notably through the Convention Eucharist.

2023 Diocesan Convention | October 21, 2023

The 176th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton. A block of hotel rooms will be available for Friday night (October 20) at the rate of $139 (standard queen & king rooms each have two beds and can sleep four).

Certificate of Election of Lay Deputies

Registration Now Open

Clergy and Lay Deputy Registration: Click here to register your lay and clergy voting deputies for the convention by Friday, June 30. There is one submission per parish, so verify who will submit registrations on behalf of your deputies. Your parish will be invoiced for the total cost of your deputation at a rate of $60 per person. If this cost is prohibitive, please let me know and I will get back to you about financial aid options.

Visitor and Other Non-Voting Guest Registration: Click here to register any additional non-voting guests who would like to attend Convention by Friday, June 30. The cost is $60 per person.

Resolutions and Nominations

Submit resolutions to the diocesan office ( ) Tuesday, August 22, 2023 according to diocesan Rules of Order. Review the instructions on how to submit a resolution here.

Click here to submit nominations for open offices and committee members. You can find a description of positions elected at the diocesan convention here. Nominations are due by Wednesday, September 6 according to diocesan constitution and canons.

Pre-Convention Hearing

Mark your calendar for a virtual Pre-Convention Hearing on Monday, September 18, from 6-7 p.m. Click here to join the Zoom meeting. A recording of the meeting will be shared. If you have questions you’d like addressed during the pre-convention hearing, please submit them here.

Hotel

If staying overnight in Middleton the night before the convention, click here to book your room in the reserved hotel block by Tuesday, September 19. The group rate is $139 per room. Each room sleeps four (either in two queens or one king and one pull-out couch). There is plentiful free parking at the hotel.

Necrology

Submit names, dates of birth and death, and photos for inclusion in the video photo necrology to communications officer Sara Bitner ( ) by Friday, September 22. Make sure to send the highest resolution pictures possible.

2022 Diocesan Convention

photos by Karen Buker

The 175th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee met on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the Westin Hotel and Saturday, October 8, 2022, at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Election Results (uploaded 10/11/22)
Minutes of the 175th Annual Convention (draft)
Convention Recap Handout
Bishop Lee's Pastoral Address
Creation Care Video: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Convention Photo Albums: Photos by S. Bitner & K. Buker; Photos by K. Buker
Bishop's Welcome, Agenda and Wi-Fi Information
Minutes from the 174th Diocesan Convention for approval
Bishop's Appointments
Reports to Convention
Nominations and Bios (updated 10/3/22)
2022 Resolutions (updated 10/8/22)
2023 Budget

2021 Conventions

Diocesan Convention | October 9, 2021

The 174th Diocesan Convention was held remotely on Saturday, October 9,

You may watch the live stream recording of the Convention below.

Recordings of the Address from Bishop Lee and video remembrance of those in the diocese who have died in the past year are also available.

If you have any questions, you may contact Barbara Klauber, administrative assistant, at or (414) 272-3028/ext. 111.

Minutes of the 174th Diocesan Convention (Draft)
Election Results
Bishop Lee's Address to the Convention text
Agenda
Proposed Diocesan Budget for 2022
Resolutions
Nominations for All Elected Positions
Bishop's Appointments
Convention Reports
Rules of Order
Special Rules for Virtual/Distance Conventions

Special Convention | June 26

A Special Convention to confirm Bishop Jeffrey Lee as the provisional bishop of the diocese was held on June 26. You may view a recording of the proceedings below.

Approved Minutes from the June 26 Special Convention

2020 Diocesan Convention

The 173rd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee was held remotely on Saturday, October 3. The convention was livestreamed and it is available to view on our YouTube channel, along with a special pastoral address from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Bishop Steven A. Miller, a tribute video with Bishop Miller to celebrate his 17 years of ministry with the diocese, and a remembrance video of those who have died in the diocese in the past year.

Election Results
Brief Agenda
Rules of Order for Diocesan Convention 2020
Nominations for Positions
2021 Budget Packet
Resolutions
Reports to the 2020 Diocesan Convention
Bishop's Appointments
Approved Minutes from the 173rd Diocesan Convention

Special Convention: July 16, 2020

Bishop Miller called a special convention on Thursday, July 16, 2020, for the sole item for consideration: amending the canons to allow us to hold our fall diocesan convention by virtual or electronic means.