The 129^th Annual Convention brought together diocesan churches from throughout North Texas within our vast borders that reach Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tarrant County and as far south as Corsicana.

This year the convention celebrated the Comañeros en el Camino del Señor- Companions in the way of the Lord - which focused on our joyous Hispanic congregations, Christ Church in Dallas, Holy Family in McKinney, San Bernabe in Garland, San Francisco de Asis in Dallas, San Marcos in Mount Pleasant, St. Mary’s in Irving and Santa Natividad in McKinney.

“Our life together is defined and encouraged by the feast with the Lord toward which we walk, and by His presence with us, though, walking, we are at times doubtful and discouraged,” Bishop George Sumner said during his address. “So it was in Luke’s story of the disciples on the first Easter evening on the way to Emmaus.”

The Road to Emmaus theme was elevated during the Festival Eucharist before convention with a service in English and Spanish with talented praise bands from Santa Natividad and San Francisco de Asis. Guest preacher and celebrant the Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen, Diocese of Honduras, gave a popular homily focusing on walking together in Christ and each other during these days of religious and political tensions.

After worship conventioneers filled the convention hall as they began and finished the business of the diocese including approving reports to convention, nominations to committees, the bishop’s address, voting for diocesan boards, budget and dismissal. There were no proposed changes to constitution and cannons, or resolutions. Presentations included three videos about the ministries of four of our Hispanic churches, an address by the Rev. Fabian Villalobos about catechesis for church lay leaders, and an update on the importance of youth ministry and camp by the Rev. Katie Gerber.

Additionally, clergy spouses met for lunch during convention to visit and catch up on each other’s ministries. And intercessors prayed throughout the meeting to lift the body of diocesan work unto the Lord.  

Clergy and lay leaders gathered the day before the convention for leadership day with speakers Dr. Garwood Anderson, professor of New Testament at Nashotah House; and The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Holcomb, bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida.

Here are the election results:

Secretary of Convention: Bob Buchanan, Saint Michael and All Angels

Standing Committee: The Rev. Paul Nesta, St. David of Wales, Tim Mack, St. Matthew’s Cathedral

Executive Council: The Rev. Tyler Been, Holy Cross in Paris; The Rev. Patrick Webb, St. Nicholas, Flower Mound; David Aughinbaugh, Incarnation; Heather Lorch, Saint Michael and All Angels; and Katy White, St. Matthew’s Cathedral

University of the South: The Rev. Nicholas Funk, St. Paul’s in Greenville

President of the Disciplinary Board, The Rev. Christopher Steele. St. Christopher’s in Dallas

As we walk the road to Emmaus as companions in the way of the lord, Sumner said, “through the wilderness on the way to the promised land remember the “implications of a people sojourning is that they must travel light, they must live humbly, they give and take hospitality in auspicious surroundings, and they take sustenance from their Biblical promise that they are indeed El Pueblo de Dios.”