Diocesan Convention 2026

The 167th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas will occur October 23-24, 2026, at Grace Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas.

Friday, August 7 is the deadline to submit convention business including nominations for elected diocesan leadership positions.

Elections at the 167^th Convention

The 167th Convention is expected to elect the XI Bishop of Kansas; information about the search process is available.

Nominations are now open for diocesan leadership elections at the 167th Diocesan Convention! episcopal-ks.org/2026nomination

Information about each position, including the expectations of those elected to serve, is available on the diocesan website.

• Council of Trustees: One clergy at-large member; 3-year term
  • Incumbent, the Rev. Daryl Stanford, is eligible for reelection
• Council of Trustees: One lay at-large member; 3-year term
  • Incumbent, Mr. Mason Weber, is eligible for reelection
• Council of Trustees: One lay at-large member; 1-year unexpired term
  • To complete the unexpired second term of Dr. Beth Fitz Gibbon
  • Mr. Stephan Mann, who received the interim appointment of the Council of Trustees, is eligible for election

The 167th Convention will also confirm the four Convocation Boards’ elections of clergy members of the Council of Trustees. These elections will occur at the pre-convention Convocation Board meetings:

• SE Convocation: Saturday, September 19, 10am, St. John’s, Parsons, 1801 Corning Ave
  • Incumbent, the Rev. Helen Hoch, is eligible for reelection.
• SW Convocation: Saturday, September 19, 2pm, Trinity, El Dorado, 400 W Ash Ave
  • Incumbent, the Very Rev. Laurie Lewis, is eligible for reelection.
• NE Convocation: Saturday, September 12, 9:30am, Bishop Seabury Academy, Lawrence, 4120 Clinton Pkwy
  • Incumbent, the Ven. Jim Cummins, is not eligible for reelection.
• NW Convocation: Saturday, September 12, 1pm, St. David’s, Topeka, 3916 SW 17^th St
  • Incumbent, the Rev. Margaret McGhee, is eligible for reelection.

Contact your Convocation President for information about these positions.

Further Requirements for Nominees

• Lay nominees must be confirmed, communicant members of a Diocese of Kansas parish and at least 16 years old.
  • If elected, lay representatives must be up to date on Safe Church training and background checks.
• Clergy nominees must be canonically resident and in good standing in the Diocese of Kansas, which includes being up to date on Safe Church training and background checks.
• More specific information, including a tentative schedule of meetings, is available.

The chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, the Very Rev. Laurie Lewis, can be contacted with questions at laurie@ststephensec.org.

Submitting Other Business for Convention Consideration

Amendments to the constitution or canons of the diocese. The current constitution and canons are available on the diocesan website. Proposed amendments should be sent to Chancellor Frank Taylor at ftaylor@hrkklaw.com.

Debatable resolutions. Debatable resolutions should be sent to Deacon Oliver Bunker at oliverf.bunker@gmail.com.

The deadline for submission of any convention business is August 7, 2026.

Elections at the 167th Convention

The special convention to elect the XI Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas will be included as part of the 167th Convention of the Diocese of Kansas.

More information about the Search and Transition process for the XI Bishop is available here.