The 165th Diocesan Convention themed “God’s Path Together / Juntos En El Camino De Dios” met October 18-19, 2024 at the DoubleTree Hotel at the Wichita Airport. The summary of convention business is also available on the diocesan website or in this PDF.
Images from the convention
Diocesan convention was filled with great moments. See a few highlights below and the complete photo album online.
Convention Worship
For the first time, convention worship was conducted bilingually in English and Spanish. Parts of the liturgies were spoken in both languages, and the printed bulletin for the Eucharist included the entire service in both English and Spanish.
Convention Business
Elections
Disciplinary Board
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:
Breakthrough – ESS, Clubhouse Community Retreat, $1,523.38
Church of the Ascension, Neodesha, Welcome Baskets — NHA, $1,200.00
St. Aidan’s, Olathe, Center of Grace, $1,213.50
St. Bartholomew’s, Wichita, Sunday Undies, $2,000.00
St. David’s, Topeka, Hygiene Bags — Rector’s Pantry, $3,000.00
St. Matthew’s, Newton, Railway Clubhouse Launch, $3,000.00
St. Paul’s, Clay Center, Bridges of Hope, $3,000.00
St. Stephen’s, Wichita, Open Doors to the Neighborhood, $3,000.00
St. Thomas the Apostle, Overland Park, Sensory Path — Comanche Elementary, $869.91
Awards and Recognitions
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
The Rev. Micah Jackson, President of Bexley Seabury Seminary, presented Bishop Bascom with a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa at the Convention Eucharist.
The 166th Diocesan Convention, 2025
The 166th Convention of the Diocese of Kansas is scheduled for October 24-25, 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 10100 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210.
835 SW Polk St.