Convention 2025 — The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande

View the 73rd Convention of the Diocese of the Rio Grande here!!!

CONVENTION REGISTRATION

Online registration for Convention is now open and can be found here.

Prior to September 30th, the registration fee is $75.00. Beginning October 1st, the registration fee increases to $100.00.

Completing online registration as soon as possible helps in planning food quantity and space arrangements.

Your Convention Packet

All public materials pertaining to Diocesan convention will be posted on this page - everything from schedules, the draft budget, nomination forms, etc. will be updated on this page. There are a number of deadlines for the various part of Convention and its responsibilities. Please review the dates of those deadlines in each of the sections below.

You can access a summary of parliamentary procedures used for Diocesan Convention here: Parliamentary Procedure Primer
There is also a cheat sheet regarding the process of making motions: Roberts-Rules-Cheat-Sheet
2025 Diocesan Convention Agenda
Friday, November 14th:
5:00 PM - Diocesan Convention Eucharist
Saturday, November 15th:
7:30 AM - Holy Eucharist
8:30 AM - Morning Prayer
12:00 Noon - A Service for Noonday Prayer
Diocesan Convention - Worship Booklet
note: The Saturday morning service of Holy Eucharist will be a simple, spoken service from the Book of Common Prayer.

Directions and Parking

St. Alban’s is located at 1810 Elm St, El Paso, TX 79930. On-street parking is permitted on Federal St, Elm St, and Wheeling St.

Alternative route to avoid construction on I-10:

I-10 South to Exit 162 (Anthony/Chaparell)
Exit East (Left) on Hwy 404
Hwy 404 to Hwy 213 (War Road)
Hwy 213 (War Road) South to Martin Luther King Blvd
MLK Blvd to Hwy 54
From Hwy 54 use Google Maps to Hotel or St. Alban's

Hotel INformation

The diocese has arranged for a block room and rates for those traveling for Diocesan Convention. The information to arrange your stay is:

Radisson El Paso Airport
1770 Airway Blvd
El Paso, TX 79925

Block rate: $125.00/night
The rate includes daily cook-to-order breakfast for up to two registered guests per room.

The last day to book at the block rate is October 24, 2025. Any reservations received after this cut-off date will be based on the next best obtainable rate and availability.

Reservations can be made online here or by calling 915-772-3333 (reference the block rate for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande

Pre-Convention Items

Nominations - OPEN POSITIONS for Diocesan Leadership

Each year we seek laypersons and clergy to fill Diocesan Leadership roles. These roles play an important part in the governance of our diocese. Please submit a Nomination Form if you are interesting in filling a role. Nomination forms should be emailed to convention@dioceserg.org by Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Email Nomination forms to: convention@dioceserg.org Descriptions of the roles can be found here. The following positions need to be filled:

Cathedral Chapter: One (1) Layperson or Clergy person for a 3-year term

Commission on Ministry of the Baptized: One (1) Clergy person for a 4-year term

Diocesan Council: One (1) Layperson for a 2-year term; One (1) Clergy person for a 1-year term; One (1) Clergy person for a 2-year term

Disciplinary Board: One (1) Layperson for a 3-year term; One (1) Layperson for a 4-year term; One (1) Clergy person for a 4-year term; One (1) Clergy person for a 2-year term

Standing Committee/Trustees of the Property: One (1) Layperson for a 3-year term; One (1) Clergy person for a 3-year term, one (1) Clergy person for a two-year term, and one (1) Clergy person for a 1-year term.

Deputies to General Convention: Four (4) Laypersons for a 3-year term with four (4) alternates; Four (4) Clergy persons for a 3-year term with four (4) alternates

If you missed the deadline to submit your nomination, you may be nominated from the floor of Convention. Use the process above to submit your nomination

Floor nominations must be received by 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 13th.

You can read and review current nominations for all the positions at the link below. The list of nominees are current as of November 11, 2025 at 12:00 noon

List of NOMINATions - OPEN POSITIONS

Proposed Budget

The 2026 Operating Budget was shared across the diocese through Deanery meetings that took place in July and early August. Diocesan Council has taken the comments and feedback to make some adjustments to that budget. The proposed 2026 budget can be found here: 2026 DRG Draft Budget

The pre-convention meeting was held on Wednesday, October 29th at 6:00 PM MT/7:00 PM CT. You will find that meeting information below.

Proposed Resolutions & Proposed Constitution and cAnon Changes

Any proposed resolutions and changes to the Constitution and Canons must be submitted by Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Proposed resolutions and changes to the Constitution and Canons can be emailed to convention@dioceserg.org Any proposed resolutions or changes to the Constitution and Canons will be posted below in the Pre-Convention Meetings section on Wednesday, October 29th.

A pre-convention conversation and review was held in early November. As a result of the discussion and feedback from that meeting, the canonical changes proposed will be presented as a special request of the Bishop under Canon 2, Section 5.

Proposed changes to the Constitution require approval at two successive Conventions. All changes currently proposed for the Constitution were approved last year. This year would be the second such Convention.

The proposed changes to the Canons continue the work of review to ensure clarity. There are two versions of the document. One is the red-line version that shows where the proposed edits are to occur along with comments sharing a rationale for those changes. The second is a “clean version” of how the Constitution & Canons would appear if all changes were approved by Diocesan Convention.
DRG Constitution & Canons changes (redlined-annotated version) updated Nov. 6th
DRG Constitution & Canons changes (clean version) updated Nov. 6th

A pre-convention conversation and review was held in early November. As a result of the discussion and feedback from that meeting, the proposed resolution will be presented as a special request of the Bishop under Canon 2, Section 5.
Proposed Resolution(s) for Diocesan Convention to adopt
Resolution on Human Dignity Calling for a Humane and Moral Immigration System

Courtesy resolutions

Courtesy Resolutions must be submitted by Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Courtesy Resolutions can be emailed to convention@dioceserg.org

CONVENTION NECROLOGY

Click here to submit names for the Necrology to be read at the 2025 Convention Eucharist. Please include those who have died since our last Diocesan Convention (November 7, 2024 - current).

Pre-Convention MEETINGS

In preparation for the upcoming Diocesan Convention, a series of three pre-convention meetings will be held on consecutive Wednesdays leading up to the event. Each session will be held via Zoom and will focus on important topics to support informed participation and discussion:

Discussion of the proposed budget for the coming year, including opportunities for questions and feedback.

The 2026 Proposed Budget from Diocesan Council can be found here: 2026 DRG Draft Budget
You watch the presentation and meeting here: Pre-Convention Budget Review‍ ‍ If a password is needed, use: y0+F%mW+
Review of proposed amendments/revisions to the Diocesan Constitution and Canons

Proposed changes to the Constitution require approval at two successive Conventions. All changes currently proposed for the Constitution were approved last year. This year would be the second such Convention.
- The proposed changes to the Canons continue the work of review to ensure clarity. There are two versions of the document.
  One is the red-line version that shows where the proposed edits are to occur along with comments sharing a rationale for those changes.
  The second is a “clean version” of how the Constitution & Canons would appear if all changes were approved by Diocesan Convention.
  DRG Constitution & Canons changes (redlined-annotated version) updated Nov. 6th
  DRG Constitution & Canons changes (clean version) updated Nov. 6th
- Proposed Resolution(s) for Diocesan Convention to adopt
  Resolution on Human Dignity Calling for a Humane and Moral Immigration System
You can join the Pre-Convention Meeting via Zoom: Constitution & Canons Pre-Convention Meeting
A presentation and reflection on the bishop’s address outlining diocesan vision and priorities.
You can join the Pre-Convention Meeting via Zoom: Zoom Meeting - Bishop’s Address
To watch the Bishop’s Address, click here: Bishop’s Address to Convention

Convention SCHedule

The 2025 Diocesan Convention will be held at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in El Paso, TX, November 13th - 15th.

Participation in this Convention activity is optional. If you plan to attend, please register here. By registering, we can plan the logistics and food.
5:00 pm (MST)
Gather at All Saints Episcopal Church and carpool to the El Paso Processing Center for Prayer Vigil.
Those who wish to remain at All Saints Episcopal Church and conduct Prayer Vigil at All Saints may do so.
5:30 pm (MST)
Prayer Vigil at El Paso Processing Center (8915 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79925)
Prayer Vigil at All Saints Episcopal Church
6:30 pm (MST)
Rio Grande Borderland Ministry - Presentation & Complimentary Buffet Dinner at All Saints Episcopal Church
Presenters:
The Rev. Michael Wallens, Vicar-St. Paul’s, Marfa
Ms. Ana Reza, Bridge Chaplain
Ms. Laura Choi, Immigration Attorney
Ms. Carolina Silva, Immigration Attorney
Located at: 1810 Elm Street, El Paso, TX 79930
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Convention Check-in
3:00 pm Convention Business
5:00 pm Convention Eucharist - Diocesan Convention - Worship Booklet
During our Diocesan Convention, we will take time in the offertory to gather the United Thank Offering (UTO) from across our congregations. If your congregation is bringing its 2025 ingathering, please bring a check made out to United Thank Offering to place in the offering. If you’ve already sent your gift to UTO this year, you are invited to bring a letter as a simple, symbolic way to join in. All checks and cash received at this year’s Convention will go directly to UTO, turning our shared gratitude into tangible support for ministries near and far.
Located at: 1810 Elm Street, El Paso, TX 79930
7:30 am Holy Eucharist
8:30 am Morning Prayer - Diocesan Convention - Worship Booklet
9:00 am – 3:00 pm Convention Business

All meetings will be held via Zoom using the provided links for each pre-convention meeting starting at 6:00 PM MT/7:00 PM CT. All lay and clergy delegates of the diocese are asked to attend as this is an opportunity to engage and prepare for the convention business. Other members of the diocese are also welcome to join.