In this Issue:

Convention 2006

Alaska's Bishop Mc Donald, keynotes 2006 Convention

Nominees for Diocesan Offices

Resolution Alert! Due in Diocesan Office by February 3

Other Stories

Ministry of Hospitality: St. Paul's Newport

Listening: King's message spans Americas, Panama's bishop declares

Haitian institute director killed in Port-au-Prince

Trinity Institute explores 'The anatomy of reconciliation' Jan. 30-Feb. 1

Commentaries

From the Bishop: Daddy, Why can't I go to Fun Town?

Reflection: Riding a bumpy camel

X-ercizing: Advent Lessons

Meeting God in Pascagoula, Mississippi

Diocesan Calendar

Past Issues

Alaska's Bishop McDonald, keynotes 2006 Convention

By Kay Collier-McLaughlin

The Rt. Rev. Mark McDonald, Bishop of Alaska, will be the keynote speaker/preacher for the Convention Eucharist on Thursday evening, Feb. 23, at Trinity Church, Covington. The theme of the convention is “To teach, to love…the environment.” Traveling with Bishop McDonald and joining him for a presentation on Friday will be two people indigenous to the wilderness area which had been protected from drilling for oil until recently. The people of this area rely on the tundra for their livelihood, and are active in trying to preserve the environment.

Gay Smith of Trinity, Covington, is Chair of the Convention Planning Committee; Co-Chair is Mary Ann Weise, also of Trinity. The Committee is composed of representatives from Northern Kentucky churches, and includes Shawn Ross, Nativity, Maysville; Kim Vogel and Roberta Sieja, Saint Andrew’s, Fort Thomas; Bill Sprague, Karen Moreland and Pidgie Utz, Grace, Florence; Jennifer Kelly Theirman, Saint Paul’s, Newport, and Pam Allen, Sally Davidson and the Rev. Michael Ralph, Trinity, Covington. Liturgical consultants are the Rev. Beth Macke and John Linker, co-chairs of the Liturgy and Music Commission.

On Friday, the business and hospitality of convention move to the Radisson on Convington’s waterfront, where vendors will have displays, the Diocesan Youth Commission will have its traditional and always-anticipated silent auction, and the Christ Church Bookstore will offer reading and other materials. Business and meals will take place in the Main Ballroom on the first floor of the Radisson Conference Center, with hearings, hospitality suite, Daughters of the King Chapel and Friends of Bill W. gathering on the 16th Floor of the Conference Center.

Matthew Hartney, Diocesan office, is in charge of Vendor Registration. (MHartney@diolex.org)

In an effort to assist the work of the total convention, and its pages and tellers, the business meeting hall will follow the model of General Convention, with Convention Ushers Roxanne Ruggles and Holly Davis assisting deputies and visitors to the correct seating area according to color-coded badges. Voting deputies from each congregation will be seated at tables on the main floor. Alternate deputies will be seated at special tables near the main floor, as will pages, diocesan staff, media, retired clergy and persons who have registered for meals. A gallery section with classroom seating will welcome other visitors.

Nominees for Diocesan Offices (see photos on pages 5-8 this issue) will be introduced to the Business Session of Convention. Each nominee will wear a special name badge, in order that they can be easily identified. During the Hospitality Hour on Friday evening, deputies are encouraged to be sure that they make an opportunity to speak with all nominees.

The Convention Dinner will be a “moveable feast,” with stations in the banquet hall offering a variety of entrees and sides, as well as an opportunity to “Meet and Greet” old friends and make new ones. Hosts and hostesses from the Northern Kentucky parishes will assist in introducing people, and table location. Cliff Daily will offer music from 8 to 10, with a D.J. joining the festivities at 10 for dancing. On Saturday, Ginger Sauls will host a Clergy Spouses’ Breakfast at Saint Paul’s, Newport. Full registration includes convention materials, lunch and dinner for $100. Persons desiring meals ticket and nametag, $60; banquet only $35. Convention decorations are under the direction of Jennifer Kelly-Theirman and Katharine Piaskowy, and were inspired by images from the Book of Daniel which are “environmentally connected.”

Advocate Online Staff:

© 2005 The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington

The Advocate is mailed free to all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Lexington. The Advocate is published 10 times a year (monthly Sept.-Mid-Summer, bi-monthly Mid-Summer-June, July-Aug.) by the Diocese of Lexington, a non-profit organization.

Additional subscriptions: $10 per year and address changes should be sent to: The Advocate, P.O. Box 610, Lexington, Ky. 40588-0610.
The deadline for submitting articles, photographs, announcements, and letters is the last Friday of the month prior to publication. These should be sent to:
The Advocate, Kay Collier McLaughlin, Ph.D., Editor, P.O. Box 610, Lexington, Ky.
40588-0610 (Kcollierm@diolex.org).

Member: Episcopal Communicators; Associated Church Press Office: The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Lexington, Mission House, 203 East Fourth Street, Lexington, Ky. 40508-1515. For information call (859) 252-6527.

All rights reserved. The Advocate reserves the right to refuse publication and to edit all contributions. Permission required for reprinting.