In a few short weeks we will gather for our annual Diocesan Convention.

Can you imagine –the 19th gathering of the Episcopal Diocese
of Idaho in our annual meeting to worship together, look at where we have been and plan for our common future! It will be fun, refreshing, instructive, and food for the soul.

For those who have been around longer than 19 years, you know that we have gathered more often.  However, prior to 1968 it was the annual convention of the Missionary District of Idaho. It has only been in recent years that we have been self-governing, a blessing that
comes with a price. Yes, we are blessed that we can take responsibility for ourselves. Nobody outside our diocese has authority in setting the mission and shaping the ministry of our diocese. Isn’t that something! Of course, the other side of the coin must be recognized
also. When we fail in accomplishing our goals, in doing the ministry we have set before ourselves, there is no one we can blame but ourselves.  In other words, we must take responsibility for our failures as well as our successes.  

This year’s convention promises to be a time of challenge and opportunity. We will gather in Boise (meaning that many non-delegates can join us to share in the work of our diocese). We will have several important resolutions before us that will, if passed, further shape our common life as the Episcopal Church in Idaho. We will worship together, and we will have the opportunity to work together
in service to others.

Our theme sets this work in perspective. As in the last few years, we continue to focus on “Growing a Healthy Diocese”. Our conversation
and action this year centers on our Lord’s words to his disciples when they were surrounded by several thousand hungry folks: “You give them something to eat!” (Mk 6:7). This is the work of leaders, seeing that the hungry are fed with food which sustains them. And this is the work of our congregations, feeding those in our communities who are hungry, who clamor for substance that feeds the soul, that strengthens one to continue on the journey in the Kingdom of God. As part of our time together we will practice “feeding” folks in the Boise
area by offering ourselves in a variety of brief service projects. And in our legislation we will explore opportunities to “feed” folks in other parts of God’s creation through projects and ministries that we can support with our gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Another important event happening during convention this year is the ordination of two persons to the diaconate and the reception of another as deacon from the Roman Catholic Church. Deacons are those we call to lead us in the work of service to the world, and their ordination helps underscore our theme – “You give them something to eat!”.

I invite you to keep all who share in this work in your prayers. Join those who gather in convention with your presence, your ideas and your encouragement. While some are selected to represent your congregation, all of us are part of this convention, this conversation, this work.
Plan to be with us, in body and/or in spirit, as we seek to discern God’s leading and to claim the courage to follow.

It will be fun. It will be instructive. It will be renewing and refreshing. And it will be what God intends it to be for the health and wellness of His creation in the Diocese of Idaho. See you there!