Lord teach us to pray: exploring spiritual depth

The Episcopal Church in Europe

115th Convention

5th Festival of Gathering

Help shape the future of the church through our business sessions at Convention. Discover the power of community and faith by connecting with fellow members at the Festival of Gathering, and be inspired by our shared mission.

Countdown to Convention

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About Convention
About the Festival
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Convention

The Convention is an annual meeting that brings together representatives of all the parishes, missions, and affiliated communities of the Convocation. These representatives—both clergy and lay—make decisions and policy for all Episcopalians in the Convocation and, with the Bishop, help us to maintain our connection to the wider Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and beyond.

I highly enjoyed meeting other European Episcopalians. The speakers were astounding and inspiring! The activity-groups were excellent.

Festival of Gathering

The Festival of Gathering is a part of the annual Convention of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe. A time of study, reflection, prayer, and connection, each year’s Festival focuses on a topic linking the commitments of our faith to the work God calls us to do in the world. Centered on the commitment of our baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being,” the Festival is a forum open to all people interested in connecting more deeply their moral commitments to their actions in the world.

I really appreciated the quality/level of presentations and workshops and the focus on ministry/spirituality.

Where is Convention?

Our Convocation-hosted Convention takes place this year at Wilhelm-Kempf-Haus in Wiesbaden, Germany. All activities and lodging will stay within the center, which has plenty of forest and green surroundings for exercise and breaths of fresh air.

There is some parking for those who will drive, and coach bus transport is being surveyed via registration to determine if we will offer it again this year.

Your lodging will be confirmed at the time of your booking. Please do not contact the center separately.

Stay at Wilhelm-Kempf-Haus Saturday Night

Do to popular demand, we have made arrangements for participants to stay over an extra night at WKH. These arrangements are made and paid for at the participant’s own costs and can be done in advance of arrival or upon check-in. Email the Haus directly to make your arrangements.

Email WKH

What Happens at Convention?

The principal business of the Annual Convention is to address legislation and resolutions. The Convention receives reports from the Bishop and various committees and commissions, hears the financial report and votes on the budget.

In the past, most Conventions included a program on a theme, with presentations and discussions. These were designed to engage the participants in looking ahead, or in deepening and learning more about our mission and ministry, and may result in guidelines for the future.

Now, our Conventions include The Festival of Gathering, which are similarily themed but autonomous events in order to open attendance to a wider audience beyond Convention delegates. Everyone is invited to attend the Festival with no obligation to attend Convention.

Near the end of the Convocation Convention, the Assemblée générale of the Association 1901 of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, the French legal entity of the Convocation, convenes briefly to approve of newly elected Bureau (Council of Advice ) and the financial report.

Above all, the Convention is a gathering of our community. It is a weekend of listening, learning, worship and prayer. Everyone in the Convocation, as well as friends from beyond the Episcopal Church, are welcome to attend any annual convention.

Certification of Lay Delegates

What is a Certificate of Election of Lay Delegates/Alternates, and why is it needed?
A Certificate of Election is the form each Congregation or Mission submits to the Secretary of Convention to let us know the name(s) of your lay delegates(s) and alternate(s) to the Convention. In other words, this form is required for your delegate(s) to have voice and vote. The form should be filled out by two members of the Vestry, or Vestry member and clergy.

The requirements of certification come from the Convocation’s Canons:

Canon 2, Section 2:

  • 2) The evidence of the appointment of a Lay Delegate shall be a certificate, signed by two members of the Vestry or other electing body, which must be laid before the Convention before the admission of said Delegate to a seat.
  • (3) Every certificate of the appointment of a Lay Delegate shall attest that the appointment has been made in accordance with the requirements of this section; and shall certify that the Delegate has the qualifications required by the Constitution and Canons.
Lay Delegate Certification Form

Nominations & Elections

We have a number of positions up for election in this year:

  • Treasurer

  • Assistant Treasurer

  • Council of Advice

  • Disciplinary Board

If you would like to nominate someone or yourself, to one or more of the above positions, please use the form linked below. Nominations are accepted until September 15, 2026, however nominations will still be accepted from the floor.

The Council of Advice is a canonical committee that advises the Bishop in Charge in carrying out those responsibilities in the Convocation.

The Convocation’s canons call specifically for a “Council of Advice” to be elected at the Convocation’s annual Convention. The Council consists of four clergy canonically resident in the Convocation and four laity who are active members of one of the Convocation’s parishes or missions. Both clergy and laity are elected for a two-year term, or for the remainder of a resigned member’s two-year term. Council members are eligible for one re-election. Members must first stand down for at least one year before seeking re-election. At the first meeting of a new Council, the members elect a Council President, Vice President, and the Council’s Recording Secretary.

The Council every month except August, mostly by Zoom.  The exceptions to that are when there is a Heads of Ministry meeting (normally 2x a year) and Convention, at which times the meetings are in-person.  Meetings are usually 1.5 to 2 hours long and scheduled according to the availability of most Council members.

The Convocation shall, by Canon, create a court to be known as the Disciplinary Board as described in the TEC and Convocation Canons. The Disciplinary Board exists to help in cases where clergy have been presented with charges under the Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Canons (Title IV) of the Canons of The Episcopal Church.
Each such Board consists of at least seven persons, to be selected as determined by Diocesan Canon. In our case, via election during Convention. The membership of each Board includes lay persons and Priests or Deacons, and the majority of the Board members are Priests or Deacons, but by no more than one. These members should not have any conflicts of interest with the Respondent or the Complainant. Only Episcopalians (canonically defined as members of a diocese) can serve on the Disciplinary Board. Members serve a term of three years. 
Within sixty days following each Diocesan convention, the Board convenes to elect a President for the following year. In most years, the Board will not meet more often than the one time to elect the President. If the Board is called into action, the work will be intense.
If a presentment arises during the course of the year, the President and the Bishop review the work of the Intake Officer to determine if further investigation is warranted. Depending upon the outcome of the investigation, the Board may be divided into two groups: one that would seek conciliation and the other to serve as a trial court, should a case go that far.
The various panels and procedures involving the Disciplinary Board are described in the Canons (Title IV.5). Also, a step-by-step guide to assist with Title IV processes is available on the Title IV Structure and Procedures section of this website (titleiv.org). The Disciplinary Board of the Convocation is described in Canon 11 of the Canons of the Convocation.
References:
Canons of the Episcopal Church: Title IV
Churchwide resource: titleiv.org
Nominations Form
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Join us for the Festival of Gathering, a vibrant, spirit-filled add-on event to the Convocation’s Annual Convention, centered around the theme: “Lord, teach us to pray: Exploring Spiritual Depth.”

The Festival is designed to deepen our shared commitment to creation care while strengthening the bonds of our diverse, multilingual, and multinational Episcopal community.

This special gathering invites all ages and communities across the Convocation to explore how our faith calls us to care for God’s creation. Through a series of interactive workshops, inspiring speakers, and joyful times of worship and fellowship, we will learn, reflect, and act together on the urgent need for environmental justice and sustainable living.

Whether you’re a delegate to the Convention or a guest seeking connection and renewal, the Festival of Gathering offers a space to celebrate, learn, and be equipped for action as stewards of God’s earth.

What's Happening at the Festival?

The Committee on the Commission of the Baptized and the Convocation invite everyone to participate fully in the Festival activities.

We hope to see you there!

Convocation Fair

A chance for our Congregations, Committees and Commissions to bring their ministry and mission to the wider Convocation. If you would like to have a place at our Fair, please click below.

Convocation Fair

Workshops

Our workshops this year cover a variety of methods to explore the depth of our spiritual lives, whether as individuals or in groups of worship with different practices. Come learn new ways of prayer and centering to nourish your spiritual life.

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Brother James Dowd, OSB

Monk in Residence for the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska and Prior of Incarnation Monastery, Founder of the Benedictine Way in Nebraska

Brother James Dowd, OSB, is the founding Prior of The Benedictine Way, and has been a monk for many years. Before serving in Nebraska, he served at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY and at Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery in Grahamstown, South Africa. Brother James is passionate about exploring the intersection of the quest for Christian social justice and the contemplative life. The Benedictine Way was founded so that an inter-generational community of followers of Jesus might find a way to reinvigorate our little corner of the church with that quest. Before his years in monastic life, Brother James had a career in theater and television.

Kristina Frances, SSM

Superior of the Society of St. Margaret in Duxbury, Massachusetts

The Society of St. Margaret is an Episcopal Religious Order of mission focused Sisters living an ancient tradition with a modern outlook, and are called to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through our worship and work, prayer and common life. Our commitment to God and to one another is expressed through vows of poverty, celibate chastity and obedience.  As we offer hospitality and holy space to individuals and groups at our Convent, work with inner-city children and the indigent elderly, serve in parishes, and lead retreats and quiet days, we seek always to live as Christ’s hands and heart in this world.

Join Us at Convention & The Festival of Gathering

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders and fellow believers. Register now to secure your spot at this transformative event. We look forward to welcoming you!

Register Now