We will celebrate much and hold hope for our future as we walk God’s Path Together; Juntos en el Camino de Dios.

bishop cathleen bascom

Convention Details

The 165th Diocesan Convention met October 18-19, 2024 at the DoubleTree Hotel at the Wichita Airport. A full summary of convention business is available below or in this PDF.

Convention Business

Elections

Disciplinary Board

The full diocesan Disciplinary Board was elected.

• Jan Boyle, Good Shepherd, Wichita
• Barry Carroll, St. James, Wichita
• The Rev. Christine Gilson, St. John’s, Wichita
• Julia Hart, St. Stephen’s, Wichita
• The Very Rev. Torey Lightcap, Grace Cathedral, Topeka
• The Rev. Kevin Schmidt, St. Francis of Assisi, Overland Park
• The Rev. Kitty Shield, St. Jude’s, Wellington

Council of Trustees

Three people were elected to the Council of Trustees.

• The Rev. Carl Edwards, Grace Cathedral, Topeka, clergy at-large representative, 3-year (first term)
• Elizabeth Fitz Gibbon, St. Paul’s, Leavenworth, lay at-large representative, 3-year (second term)
• Mason Weber, St. Paul’s, Manhattan, lay at-large representative, 2-year (first term)

The convention expressed thanks to members who retired from the Council: the Very Rev. Casey Rohleder (six-years at-large clergy representative).

Amendments to the Constitution and Canons

Constitution of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas

The second reading of one constitutional amendment was adopted, amending the Constitution effective January 1, 2025.

• Article VI: The amendment seeks to remove a constitutionally required majority election for deputies to General Convention vesting deputy election methodology under the authority of the Council of Trustees.

Diocesan Constitution and Canons

Resolutions

The convention adopted one debatable resolution.

• 2024 Resolution 1: The resolution commends the significance of the diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministries and affirms the initiation of an endowment campaign for the limited purpose of funding scholarships for camps and youth events as well as supporting the growth and expansion of Youth and Young Adult Ministry programs.

Other Business

• The Bishop appointed (and, where necessary, the Convention confirmed) various officers and members of committees and commissions.
• The Convention sent greetings to ecumenical ministry partners, former bishops of Kansas, neighboring dioceses, and friends in the larger Anglican Communion.
• The Convention designated its Eucharist Offertory for the Episcopal Church in Navajoland. Please make a donation to support this newest missionary diocese of The Episcopal Church.
• The Convention was introduced to the nascent Bethany Community of Saints Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Ministry Recognitions and Grants

Alleluia Grants:

• Church of the Covenant, Junction City, Community Meal —Vegetable Garden, $1,500.00
• Grace Cathedral, Topeka, Nutritional Benefits for Neighbors, $2,883.30
• Saint Francis Ministries, Wichita, Sedgwick County Pop-Up Clothing‘Shop,’ $2,189.00
• St. Luke’s, Shawnee, Food for Thought – Little Free Pantry & Library, $1,500.00
• St. Paul’s, Kansas City, Neighborhood Hospitality & Prayer Garden, $3,000.00
• St. Stephen’s, Wichita, Opening the Door to Christ’s Love, $3,000.00
• St. Thomas the Apostle, Overland Park, Immigration Ministry Expansion, $3,000.00

Deacon’s Cross: Peg Flynn, Breakthrough: Episcopal Social Services, Wichita

Canon’s Cannon: Kitty Shield, Vicar, St. Jude’s, Wellington and Minster Shepherd, South Central Kansas Minster

Bishop’s Chair: Ryan Patrick, Senior Warden, Good Shepherd, Wichita & Tom Sherrow, Junior Warden, Good Shepherd

Other Recognitions

The Rev. Micah Jackson, President of Bexley Seabury Seminary, presented Bishop Bascom with a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa at the Convention Eucharist.