.png)
56th Annual Diocesan Convention
Welcome to the information hub for the 2027 Diocesan Convention!
The 56th Annual Diocesan Convention will be held February 19-20, 2027, at the Embassy Suites, Gulf Shores. Our host churches are Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores, and St. Paul's, Foley.
Take me to:
Budget
Delegates
Guide for First-time Delegates
Delegate Change Form
Nominations
Reports
Resolutions
Rules of Order
Convention Communications
The Diocesan Office will regularly send out electronic newsletters to a select mailing list with important details regarding the convention. You will find them posted in this section.
Convention Info
Details
The 56th Annual Diocesan Convention will be held February 19-20, 2027, at the Embassy Suites, Gulf Shores. Our host churches are Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores, and St. Paul's, Foley.
Hotels
A block of rooms has been reserved at the convention hotel at a discounted rate. The hotel listing provides nearby hotels, but the rooms at those locations have not been reserved, nor is there a discounted rate available.
Deadlines to make your reservation apply. Delegates should coordinate reservations with their church office.
Pre-Convention Meeting
Sunday, January 31, 2027, 5:30 p.m. CT on Zoom
All clergy and lay delegates are asked to attend the online-only Pre-Convention Meeting. Bishop Russell and staff members will provide important details about the convention's business, including the budget, proposed resolutions, voting procedures, and schedule.
Schedule
Click HERE for the full convention schedule
Clergy Spouse Gathering
To be announced.
Business
Budget
Delegates
Delegates are both clergy and lay members of the Diocesan Convention who have seat, voice, and vote during the business meeting.
-
Clergy delegates are parochial (assigned to a church) and canonically resident. Clergy who meet this criteria are automatically delegates; however, they must be registered to attend the convention.
-
A lay delegate is a communicant in good standing of their congregation and is elected by fellows members to represent their church at the convention. Each church is entitled to a specific number of lay delegates based on number of congregants in good standing. All lay delegates must be registered to attend the convention. The registration form includes a section to report the date the lay delegate was elected. Per diocesan canons, all lay delegates must be elected and certified at least 60 days prior to the start of the convention. This year's deadline is December 21, 2026.
-
Each church is also entitled to an equal number of alternate delegates as delegates. Alternates are used to replace a lay delegate in the event the lay delegate can no longer serve. All alternates must be registered whether they plan on attending the convention or not. A delegate change form must be submitted in order for an alternate to take the place of a lay delegate and receive the appropriate voting credentials.
-
Youth delegates and alternates are selected by their respective convocations. Any youth interested in being a youth delegate should contact their convocation's dean, found here. The youth delegate should be registered by their home church.
Reports - Due January 20, 2027
Commissions, committees, and program coordinators are asked to file written reports on the work and mission of their respective ministries over the course of the previous year. If you are the chair person of a commission, committee or program coordinator, please submit your report in Word format to jenn@diocgc.org.
Resolution for General Proposed Actions - Due January 5, 2027
A general resolution refers to a proposed action or decision that is presented to the legislative body of the diocese for consideration and potential adoption, essentially acting as a legislative vehicle to enact changes or take stances on specific issues within the diocese.
Standing Committee Nominations - Due January 20, 2027
The Standing Committee is the body of lay and clergy members of the Diocese authorized by the Canons of the Episcopal Church as the Bishop’s Council of Advice; members are elected by the annual Diocesan Convention or appointed by the Bishop. The Standing Committee’s major responsibility is to serve as the Bishop’s Council of Advice; they also have responsibilities involving such varied matters as the disposition of property, the election and consecration of bishops, ecclesiastical discipline as defined in Title IV, and the approval of candidates for ordained ministry. Each year new clergy & lay members are elected / appointed to replace retiring members or vacant terms.
Activities
Be sure to check back to this section often, as we will be adding additional activities and details as we have them!
Youth Lock-in
To be determined.
Ministry Fair
Each year, the Ministry Fair (or exhibit hall) highlights the diverse and vibrant ministries across our diocese. All exhibitors must be approved through the diocese office. To request space, please email Rev. Lydia Johnson. Registration and a fee will be required once approved.
Workshops
To be determined.
Worship
All of the worship opportunities during the convention, whether it be a Daily Office or Holy Eucharist, are open to anyone who would like to attend. More information to come.
Registration
All attendees to the annual convention are asked to register - even spectators - so that we have an accurate headcount for meals, seating, and materials. Fee will vary depending on participation type.
Churches of delegates are asked to register their delegates together at one time and payment is required prior to the start of the convention. Certification of Delegates will take place during the registration process.
The point-of-contact for all registrations is Jenn Roberts at jenn@diocgc.org.
VOTING CLERGY/LAY DELEGATE REGISTRATION
OPENS DECEMBER 1, 2026
CLOSES JANUARY 20, 2027
Fee rate available soon.
Churches are asked to complete the registration/certification form* and make payment for their delegation.
This registration form is for the following:
-
Clergy (parochial and canonically resident in this diocese). Fee $TBD
-
Lay delegates. Fee $TBD
-
Alternate delegates ATTENDING. Fee $TBD
-
Alternate delegates NOT ATTENDING. Fee $0
-
**Youth delegates. Free
-
**Youth alternates. Free
*During the registration process, you will be asked to certify the election of lay and alternate delegates. By selecting yes, you will be prompted to provide the date of election.
**Youth delegates should be registered by their home church.
Each delegate must have their own individual email address and mobile device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.). This is required because we will use the VPOLL platform for quorum verification and voting.
