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The 194th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee

January 23-24, 2026
St. Bartholomew’s Church
4800 Belmont Park Terrace
Nashville, TN 37215

Dear Fellow Episcopalians,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

This memo contains links and instructions for registering yourselves and delegates from your congregations for Convention, as well as other useful information.

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who will take counsel in this convention for the renewal and mission of your Church.  Teach us in all things to see first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 818)

Respectfully yours,
The Rev. Dr. Kristine Blaess
The Secretary of the Convention

 

Before the December 9 deadline:

Elect Delegates (and an equal number of Alternates)[1]

  • Schedule your election by your November Vestry/Mission Council meeting.
    • Confirmed Communicants in Good Standing; at least 16 years of age
  • How many do we elect[2]…
    Missions with ASA less than 20 shall be entitled to one delegate.
    Missions with 20 to 49 ASA shall be entitled to two delegates
    Missions with 50 or more ASA shall be entitled to three delegates.
    Parishes with less than 50 ASA shall be entitled to two delegates.
    Parishes with 50 to 149 ASA shall be entitled to three delegates.
    Parishes with 150 to 299 ASA shall be entitled to four delegates.
    Parishes with 300 to 499 ASA shall be entitled to five delegates.
    Parishes with 500 or more ASA shall be entitled to six delegates.
  • For the 194th Annual Convention on January 23-24, 2026, use your average Sunday attendance as reported on your most current Parochial Report (2024).
  • Delegates and alternates for the special Electing Convention will be the same delegates elected for the preceding, annual Diocesan Convention being held January 23-24, 2026 at St. Bartholomew’s, Nashville. Each delegate must be a Confirmed Communicant in Good Standing and at least sixteen (16) years of age. Please make sure to elect a full slate of both delegates and alternates.

From the Canons:

“The Lay Delegates duly elected or appointed to serve at any Annual Convention shall be the Delegates to any other meeting of the Convention prior to the succeeding Annual Convention. Vacancies occasioned by death, removal, resignation, or incapacity to serve, shall be filled in the same manner as the original election or appointment” (Canon 1, Section 7.d of the Canons of the Diocese of Tennessee).

“It shall be the duty of the Vestry or Mission Council of each Congregation to elect its Lay Delegates and an equal number of Alternates, each of whom shall be a Confirmed Communicant in Good Standing of the Congregation and at least sixteen (16) years of age. In the case of a Mission, if there be no Mission Council, Lay Delegates and Alternates shall be appointed by the Vicar in Charge or by the Bishop. If any or all of the Lay Delegates shall fail to attend the Convention, Alternates shall be entitled to serve in their stead, in the order of their election” (Canon 1, Section 7.b of the Canons of the Diocese of Tennessee).

 

Register your Delegates and Alternates[3] or register yourself – canonically resident non-parochial, and retired clergy

  • Register each delegate and alternate and submit a signed, hardcopy of the Certificate of Election before the deadline of December 9, 2025.
    • Register Online
    • All delegates and alternates may be registered together at one time. Payment may be made by credit card online or by sending a check to the diocesan offices by January 5, 2026. The Certificate of Election Form must be filled out 1) online and printed, or 2) downloaded, printed, and completed. The Certificate of Election must be signed by the Rector, Vicar, Priest-in-Charge, or Senior Warden. REMEMBER: a hardcopy of all completed and signed forms must be received by the diocesan office by the registration deadline of December 9, 2025 in order for the registration of delegates and alternates to be confirmed. Any registrations after December 9, 2025, will not be accepted.
    • All clergy, delegates, and alternates registered must be paid for by January 5, 2026.

 

Nominate Someone / Stand for Election[4]

    • Who May Nominate: lay or clergy delegates, vestries, mission councils, missionary convocations, the Bishop and Council[5].
    • The deadline for nominations to be included in the Convention brochure is December 30, 2025. Late nominations may be received until noon on Thursday, January 22, 2026, but no later.
    • Nominees will introduce themselves to the Convention on Friday afternoon, January 23, 2026.
    • Summary of Elections
    • Nomination Form:

Submit a Resolution[6] …here’s how to, if you wish

  • Who May: any lay or clergy delegate, vestry, mission council, missionary convocation, the Bishop and Council.
  • Who May Not: diocesan commissions and committees.
  • When: 45 (forty-five) days before the first business day of Convention = December 9, 2025. Please Note:  resolutions received by the Secretary after this date will require a majority vote of convention delegates to be placed on the floor.
  • How:
    • Resolution Form
    • If you wait to submit your resolution later than December 9, 2025, but no later than 1 ½ hours following the opening of the Convention January 23, 2026, it will require a simple majority vote of delegates to be considered on the floor of Convention;
    • If you wait to submit your resolution until later than 1 ½ hours after the opening of Convention January 23, 2026, it will require a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the delegates to be considered on the floor of Convention;
    • And if you are submitting a late resolution, prepare 300 copies on blue paper for distribution at Convention.

 

Before the January deadlines:

Register Seminarians and All Others

 

What to look forward to January 23-24, 2026:

  • Lodging in Brentwood:
  • Childcare will be available during the Convention at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Please RSVP to Sandra Beld at sbeld@edtn.org by Wednesday, January 14, 2026 if you need childcare, including number of children and ages.
  • Parking for Convention
    • A map showing parking options will be in the pre-Convention Memo.

[1] See Canon 1, Sec. 7(b), Canons of the Diocese of Tennessee

[2] See Canon 1, Sec. 7(a)

[3] See Canon 1, Sec. 7(c)

[4] See Rule of Order 6.1

[5] See Canon 1, Sec. 9

[6] See Canon 1, Sec. 9 and Rule of Order 3.02