2025 Annual Convention Graphic

Come learn and lead with your diocesan family at the 56th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Central Florida. Enjoy educational sessions, fellowship and worship as we work together for the churches, for the gospel. Let’s gather to be nurtured and sent into 2025 to love and serve the Lord.

This information page provides everything delegates need to prepare for the 2025 Convention.

2025 DioCon Page - Laptop

Scroll down for links to all Convention documents and forms; dates and locations of pre-Convention deanery meetings; offices to be filled by elections; details on lodging, meals, parking, displays, electronic voting with VPOLL, and a helpful Convention site map.

This page also features a brand-new component of Diocese of Central Florida conventions: educational sessions! Be sure to review all of the information on this page before filling out the registration form linked below.

Please review all of the information on this page before clicking the registration button below. During the online registration process, delegates will be guided to select their educational sessions, to order and pay for meals and to request Spanish interpretation.

2025 Diocesan Convention Registration & Meals Payment

Online forms to submit certificates of election of delegates, nominations for elected offices, amendments and resolutions are on this page below. Links to lodging options are also below.

Documents & Forms

Click the links below to view official documents and submit online forms.

Schedules

Delegates and guests are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the educational sessions on Friday. Clergy and lay delegates are required to attend Saturday.

Documents

  1. 2025 Notification of Convention
  2. Letter from Chair of Committee on Nominations and Elections

Online Forms

  1. Parish Certificate of Election of Lay Delegates
    (Due by January 14, 2025)
  2. Mission Certificate of Election of Lay Delegates
    (Due by January 14, 2025)
  3. Nomination Form for Elected Offices
    (Due by January 17, 2025)
  4. Form for Amendments
    (Due by November 25, 2024)
  5. Form for Resolutions
    (Due by December 10, 2024)
  6. Form for Deanery Reports
    (Due by January 3, 2025)

For Review Before Convention

Links will appear below when documents are available for download and review before voting.

Resolutions

Proposed

Agenda

Rules of Order

Recommended 2025 Budget

Amendments

Vendor Application

Companies and organizations are invited to reserve display space using the online vendor application form linked below. Space is limited, so please apply early. The application deadline is Friday, January 3, 2025.

2025 Convention Vendor Application

Friday Educational Sessions

Free educational sessions on Friday, January 24 at the 2025 Convention are designed to support diocesan churches in a rapidly changing ministry environment.

Three general sessions will be held in the Trinity sanctuary with enough seating for all Convention participants. In addition, six breakout sessions with limited seating require registration (linked at the top of this page). Please view the options below before registering.

Each breakout session will be repeated, first at 2:45 p.m. and again at 4 p.m. on Friday of the Convention.

General Sessions

The first general session will begin at 9:30 a.m. Friday, January 24. No registration required.

Leading Safe Churches

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb
Mike Sloan, GRACE Director of Safeguarding

Lay and ordained leaders play an essential role in making churches safe. This presentation will show how proactive leaders can implement effective prevention practices in their parishes. We’ll use interactive scenarios to highlight key strategies and demonstrate how effective prevention works in a safe church. A strong culture of protection, rooted in Christian faith, is essential for a safe church. We’ll outline the key elements of such a culture and provide practical, realistic strategies for engaging your parish in strengthening this culture.

Making Connections: Reaching the Dechurched

The Rev. Jim Davis
Co-author of The Great Dechurching

Why have 40 Million adult Americans left the church in the past 25 years? What has contributed to the largest religious shift in the history of our country and what can the church do? This session will build on the data delivered to the Diocese of Central Florida at previous events by breaking down commonly held myths about dechurching and giving practical, pastoral applications for lay and ordained church leaders.

Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

The Rev. Cynthia P. Brust
Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Melbourne

Hospitality is at the heart of the Gospel, and as congregations, we have only one chance to make a lasting first impression. From the moment a visitor arrives on church property, the countdown begins. But creating an inviting and welcoming ethos goes beyond the first handshake. How do we transform first-time visitors into valued members fully connected with one another as well as engaged in mission and ministry? This session will explore the importance of fostering a true culture of belonging from the front porch welcome to making room at the table.

Breakout Sessions

Each breakout session will be available at 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, January 24.
Registration is required (see registration button above). 

Financial Track

Stewardship Workshop

The Rev. Canon Chris Gray
Rector, Grace Church, Port Orange, FL 1979-1991
Grew the church from 150 to 450 and budget from $25K to $250K

Stewardship is personal and individual. It is not about funding a church budget. It is about our response to God’s Love with tangible gifts of time, talent and financial resources. Stewardship is our expression of thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. It is our gift given in gratitude and thanksgiving for God’s gift of unconditional love and forgiveness freely offered through his son Jesus Christ.

Stewardship is everything we say and do after we say "I believe…" This workshop will reflect on what this means to us personally and ways we can share the gift of stewardship with our parish congregations.

Build Your Church’s Financial Future: Endowment Management for Sustainable Ministry

Carsten W. Sierck
ECF Director of Endowment Management

As church financial needs change, a well-managed endowment can provide a steady source of income to support mission and ministry well into the future. Join the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) and its Director of Endowment Management for a practical, interactive session that will cover the benefits of an endowment, outline simple steps to start or enhance an endowment, and discuss the basics of sound investment decisions. With $750 million under management for faith communities nationwide, ECF offers a comprehensive set of endowment management services and is a widely acknowledged leader in Episcopal endowment management today.

Insurance & Benefits: Church Pension Group Supporting & Serving You!

William Lodico, CPG VP of Client Services
Lauren S. Kinard, CPG Relationship Manager

This session will explore the many ways that CPG provides support to Diocese of Central Florida churches and organizations. From property and casualty insurance to employee benefit and retirement products, learn more about CPG offerings and the teams dedicated to serving and supporting you, your organization, and your call to serve your communities.

Mission Track

"And That's the Gospel Truth!"

The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd
Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke

We have the “good news” of Jesus Christ to proclaim. Just what is that good news? A devil-destroying, darkness-dispelling, evil-upending victory? Yes! A forgiveness-winning, guilt-atoning, wrath-averting sacrifice? Yes! A self-sacrificing, love-inducing, character-shaping example? Yes!
 
This breakout session focuses on Paul’s letter to the Romans and his perspective on Jesus’s victory, sacrifice, and example, as we reflect together on the exquisite and complementary facets of God’s love for us and the whole world in his Son.

Grow your Church with Alpha!

The Rev. Frans van Santen, Priest in Charge, Grace, Ocala
Michelle Tepper, Alpha USA, Dir. of Denomination Engagement

Are you longing for a church where your people want to grow deeper faith roots, and have something tangible to offer to their de-churched friends? Try Alpha! This 10 week course is the perfect recipe for building community, having fun, and talking about things that deeply matter. The Alpha Course is an introduction to the Christian Faith and offered by multiple churches in our Diocese. It is revitalizing these churches in beautiful ways. We would love to tell you more about this, and that is why we have created this session, we will help you explore Alpha and what it can do for your church.

Mission Mindset, Community Impact

The Rev. Loren & Mrs. Linda Fox
Mission Strategy Consultants

The gospel of Jesus Christ is exactly the hope that people in a hurting world need today. Too many people today, however, do not see the Church as a source of healing and hope. What lies at the root of this disconnect between churches and the communities they want to reach? Fr. Loren and Linda Fox bring a fresh perspective to this issue based on their experiences in Asia, where most people believe the Gospel is a fanciful, foreign myth. They will present principles and practical tools that can be readily applied to ministry in Central Florida.

Convention Location, Parking & Lodging

Attendees are strongly encouraged to carpool. Available parking is extremely limited.

Click here or on the image above for directions to parking at The Community Church of Vero Beach (north & south lots only). Shuttles will transport attendees to the Trinity campus.

Click here or on the image above for a 2025 Convention site map to view online or download and print.

The 56th Annual Diocesan Convention will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church & School located at 2365 Pine Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32960. Click here or on the image above for directions.

Click here or on the image above for a group-rate reservation at Staybridge Suites by January 2, 2025.

Click here or on the image above for a group-rate reservation at SpringHill Suites by January 2, 2025.

Convention Meals

During registration (linked at the top of this page), delegates are able to select from the following meal options and pay online.

Meals must be ordered by January 10, 2025.

Friday & Saturday Lunch Options - $20

2025 DioCon Meals 1

Dolly's Table Food Truck

Friday Lunch Option

  1. Mediterranean Veggie Pita
  2. Classic Turkey Club

Both options above are available for pre-order during registration and include composed salad (broccoli salad), sea salt kettle chips, freshly baked cookie and a bottled water.

Hot options available onsite include fish tacos, tuna poke bowl and acai bowl. Be prepared to stand in line to order these items from Dolly's food truck.

2025 DioCon Meals 2

TooJay's Deli

Friday Lunch Option

  1. Strawberry Citrus Salad
  2. Chicken Salad Sandwich
  3. VEGAN OPTION Strawberry Citrus Salad - No Cheese

The options above are available for pre-order during registration and include a chocolate chunk cookie and a bottled water.

2025 DioCon Meals 3

Panera Bread

Saturday Lunch Option

  1. Turkey & Cheddar Sandwich
  2. Greek Salad
  3. VEGAN OPTION Greek Salad - No Cheese

The options above are available for pre-order during registration.

Friday BBQ Buffet Dinner - $30

Dinner on Friday night will be a BBQ buffet provided by Wilke's 14 Bones BBQ. One drink ticket for an adult beverage will be provided with each payment.

You will not need to make menu selections for Friday's dinner during registration.

Wilke's 14 Bones BBQ

Pre-Convention Deanery Meetings

Materials for discussion at the pre-Convention deanery meetings, including the proposed 2025 diocesan budget and proposed resolutions, will be posted on this Convention page.

Any delegate unable to attend the meeting in his/her deanery is welcome to attend another deanery meeting. However, delegates may vote only in their own deanery elections.

Northwest Deanery

Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Hosted at Episcopal Church of St. Mary, Belleview

Election of DEAN (clerical order)
to serve 3-year term on the Diocesan Board

Election of PRESIDENT (lay order)
to serve 1-year term on the Diocesan Board

Northeast Deanery

Wednesday, January 8, 2025, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Hosted at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Daytona Beach

No deanery offices are up for election

Central Deanery

Thursday, January 9, 2025, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Hosted at Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Longwood

Election of PRESIDENT (lay order)
to serve 3-year term on the Diocesan Board

Southwest Deanery

Sunday, January 12, 2025, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Hosted at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Winter Haven

No deanery offices are up for election

Southeast Deanery

Saturday, January 11, 2025, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Hosted at Christ Episcopal Church of Suntree Viera, Melbourne

Election of DEAN (clerical order)
to serve 3-year term on the Diocesan Board

Election of PRESIDENT (lay order)
to serve 1-year term on the Diocesan Board

Offices To Be Filled by Elections

Click the images below to view bios.

Standing Committee

One clergy person elected to a 4-year term | One lay person elected to a 3-year term

Clerical Order

2025 DioCon Nominee

Lay Order

2025 DioCon Nominee

Diocesan Board

One clergy person elected to a 3-year term | Two lay persons elected to a 3-year term

Clerical Order

2025 DioCon Nominee

Lay Order

2025 DioCon Nominee
2025 DioCon Nominee

Trustee, University of the South

One lay person elected to a 3-year term

Lay Order

2025 DioCon Nominee

Electronic Voting With VPOLL

vPoll-logo

Voting at the 56th Annual Diocesan Convention will take place in person using VPOLL. All delegates will need a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the internet at the convention site.

A diocese-wide practice voting session will be held via Zoom webinar at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

A Zoom link will be sent to all delegates once they have been entered into the VPOLL system. Delegate participation is strongly encouraged.