Bishop Sutton, Dean Camlin, and the staff of Church of the Holy Communion Cathedral are excited to welcome everyone for the 116th Synod of the Diocese of Mid-America. You may recall that Synod this year was originally scheduled to be a one-day Zoom business meeting. As you now know, however, Bishop Sutton has called for the election of an additional suffragan bishop for our diocese. This requires that our Synod be changed to an in-person Synod for canonical and voting purposes.

We are aware of the additional burden that this may place on our parish travel budgets. To that end, the Standing Committee and Trustees of the Diocese approved providing the registration and meal costs for all attendees of this year’s Synod. Other travel and hotel costs will still be the responsibility of the parishes and/or attendees.

Additionally, to accommodate the time needed for the nominations and search process for the election, Bishop Sutton and the Standing Committee approved moving Synod from the normal October date(s) to the week after Thanksgiving. We will also start on a Wednesday morning and end at lunch on Thursday. This should provide ample opportunity for return travel before the weekend and the first Sunday in Advent.  

Synod will start on Wednesday Morning, November 29th

Wednesday, November 29th

Our time together will begin on Wednesday with the service of Holy Communion and ordination to the Presbyterate at 8:30am. Clergy are asked to bring cassock/surplice and RED stole for the procession. Deaconesses should vest in blue cassock. Following the Communion service, we will gather in Lunt Hall for our opening business session, which will include our Bishop Ordinary’s report.

After lunch, we will have a teaching session led by the Rev. Michael Vinson. Fr. Vinson is the planter and Vicar (soon to be Rector) of St. Benedict’s. This past Summer, Fr. Vinson led a church planting intensive seminar for our brethren in Europe under the newly formed REC100-Europe. He has been invited to present the principles of his seminar to our Synod.

The election of our suffragan bishop will occur during our afternoon session on Wednesday (3:30pm). This election will be by private ballot. You must be present at Synod to cast a vote. Proxies and/or absentee voting are not permitted. In accordance with Article Five of the Constitution of the Diocese, the following are entitled to a vote:

• All Bishops and Presbyters, in good standing, that are canonically resident in the Diocese of Mid-America. Deacons are not entitled to a vote unless they are serving as a Minister-in-Charge of a Parish within the Diocese of Mid-America.

• Laity who serve on the Standing Committee and/or the Board of Trustees, or laity that serve as a chairman of a Diocesan committee, if they are not already elected otherwise as a parish delegate.

• Laity who are elected by their parish as a voting delegate and certified by the Synod. Laity elected as Alternates will only be allowed to vote if their delegate is not present and/or available to vote.

Following the election, our late afternoon session (starts at 4:30pm) will be devoted to the Women’s Day meeting and the clergy/men meeting. The Women of the Church will meet in the White Chapel and be led by Deaconess Jill Nowell and Deaconess Canon Annette Johnson. The clergy and men of the church will meet with Bishops Sutton and Banek in the Sanctuary.

Evensong will be held at 6:00pm followed by a Mexican Fajita Buffet dinner in Lunt Hall. All registered individuals in attendance (including those coming only to the Women’s Day meeting) are invited to join us for dinner.

Thursday, November 30th

Thursday morning will begin with Morning Prayer at 8:30am, followed by a short teaching on the office of Deaconess and then be devoted to our remaining business. We will conduct all the business of the Diocese and then adjourn. This should be no later than 12:00pm. A box lunch from McAlister’s Deli will be provided. You are then free to eat and fellowship in the parish hall at your leisure, or take your lunch and begin your travels home. You will select your sandwich choice when you complete your online registration.

Tentative Schedule
(Subject to Change)

There will be an opportunity to check-in and receive your badge on Tuesday evening in the hotel lobby from 7:30pm-9:00pm

Wednesday - November 29th
                 7:30a       Check-in – Lunt Hall
                 8:00a        Clergy vesting – Miller Hall (cassock/surplice/RED stole)
                 8:30a       Holy Communion service -  Group Photo to follow service.
               10:30a        Business Session
                 Noon        Lunch – Lunt Hall - McAlister’s Soup & Spud bar
                 1:15p        Teaching Session – Lunt Hall - The Rev. Michael Vinson
                 3:00p        Board of Foreign Missions updates
3:30p         Election of Suffragan Bishop
4:30p         Women’s Day Meeting / Men & Clergy
                6:00p        Evensong       
                 6:45p        Mexican fajita dinner - Lunt Hall

Thursday - November 30th                 
                 8:30a        Morning Prayer
             9:15a        Teaching on office of Deaconess
              10:00a        Business Session
              12:00p        Adjourn & Box Lunch available following

Three things are required for Synod attendees (the last one is only for Rectors though). Detailed information for each aspect is then found further down on this page.

• REGISTRATION - Every individuals attending Synod must register for Synod. Even though your registration and meal costs are covered, these registrations will tell us how many people to expect, your meal choice on Thursday, and our certified voting list. Registration will open on September Ist and will close on November 5th.

• HOTEL - Individuals must reserve hotel rooms. Rooms must be booked by November 5th for the discounted rate. We do NOT book these for you.

• CERTIFICATIONS (for Pastors only) - review your parish delegates and send any changes by November 5th.

Registration Information

Registration is now closed. If you questions regarding your registration or would like to inquire about possible space, please email Canon Jason Grote (J2Grote@rechurch.org).

Hotel Reservations

Hotel Reservations must be made by NOVEmber 5TH

Reports & Documents

The Synod Reports for this Synod and the Journal of the last Synod will be distributed electronically. We will send emails with these documents to all Synod registrants during the two week period prior to Synod. This section will also contain links to them so you can view/download them as needed. These should be reviewed prior to Synod, which will help us move through our business efficiently. There is no need to print the reports unless you so desire. Likewise, there is no need to print the Journal of the previous Synod.