We had a great turnout at the 2023 Winter Convocation which was held at Kalahari Resort and Convention Center on February 3-4. It was the first in-person Convocation since 2020. It was heartwarming to be together again. Nearly 270 people attended from 55 of our parishes.

The keynote speaker was Joy Skjegstad. She works with nonprofits and churches throughout the U.S. to help them achieve strategic focus and develop effective community ministry. Registrants were given a copy of her book, Real Connections, which she referenced in her Friday evening keynote: The Crisis of Connection and How the Church Can Respond. The speech focused on the fact that loneliness and isolation are more prevalent than ever in the U.S. and how the church can play a pivotal role in helping people get more connected to one another and build relationships in the community.

On Saturday morning, participants gathered to celebrate Holy Eucharist. This was the first opportunity for members of the diocese to hear Bishop Coadjutor-elect Anne B. Jolly preach.

Everyone then moved onto morning workshops which included an opportunity to engage further with Skjegstad. Other options focused on lay leadership in the church and formation.

Lunch followed the morning workshops with additional time to mingle, network, and share conversation.

During the break, many individuals visited the exhibit tables, including Bellwether Farm and a showcase of the history of the bishops in our diocese.

Convocation then resumed with afternoon workshops: Serving People not Solving Problems, Starting a Parish Conversation about Racism, Parish and Clergy Coaching, Creating an Anti-Gun Violence Parish Ministry, Where God is Leading the Church, and Listening to the Community Around Your Church. Convocation continutes to be an opportunity for people to come together from across the diocese and become engaged and inspired with ideas and information to help us move forward into the future together.