Feb. 27-28, 2009

Hosted by the Four Rivers Deanery

 at Grace Episcopal Church, Paducah, Ky.

December 1, 2008

Dear People of the Diocese,

Grace (Paducah), St. Paul's (Hickman), Trinity (Fulton), St. John's (Murray), and St. Peter's of the Lakes (Gilbertsville) look forward to welcoming you to the Purchase Area of the Four Rivers Deanery as we gather in Paducah for the 181st Diocesan Convention on February 27-28, 2009. Plans are well underway to make your stay in this city of art, rhythm and rivers enjoyable and productive.

Registration begins on Friday at 1:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time) at Grace Church, located at the corner of 9th and Broadway in Paducah. Parking is available both on Broadway and behind the church on Kentucky St. Evensong with Bishop Gulick's annual address will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the church followed by a brief business session. The evening will continue with a real treat as the Seamen's Church Institute hosts a reception at their Paducah Training Facility and the River Heritage Museum (less than ½ mile from Grace). At 7:30 p.m., the convention will take center stage at the Four Rivers Carson Center (across the street from the Seamen's Church Institute). We are certain you will enjoy your evening in the heart of Paducah's historic downtown riverfront.

All Saturday sessions will take place at Grace Church. The convention theme, "Generation to Generation," will provide focus to our worship, workshops, and presentations throughout the weekend. The Rt. Rev. Sean W. Rowe, Bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, will be our special guest. At the age of 32, Bishop Rowe became the youngest member of the House of Bishops in 2007. On Saturday morning, he and Bishop Gulick will engage in a dialogue on mission and ministry from their own generational perspectives. Later that morning, Bishop Rowe will preach at Holy Eucharist before we enter into the business sessions.

All four hotels are clustered around Exit 4 on I-24) about 10 minutes drive from Grace Church and all provide complimentary hot breakfasts. For your convenience in making reservations, blocks of rooms will be held until early February (see enclosed hotel information for exact dates). Convention registration forms must be returned to the Diocesan office by January 17, 2009. If you need child care, please be sure to indicate that on your registration form along with the child's age.

Diocesan Convention engages us in celebration, learning, and hard work. Old friendships are renewed and new ones begun as we gather in Christ's name. We look forward to having you as our guests.

Faithfully,
The Rev. Elizabeth T. Wade
Rector, Grace Episcopal Church
Paducah, KY

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20, 21)

                                                      Inside the Convention Packet

Convention Agenda (as of December 1, 2008)

 Registration Form

Exhibitor Form

Hotel Information

Resolutions Form

Directions

Nominations for Diocesan Offices

Nominees

Profiles

Letter
from Nominations

Committee Chair

Qualifications
for Positions to be filled

Nomination Form

Preliminary 2009 budget passed by Trustees & Council, Sept. 9, 2008

 (Based on projected giving, subject to change after all pledges are received)

• Budget Chair Letter
  Preliminary 2009 Budget
• 2003-2008 Congregational
•  Pledge Commitments
• Preliminary
  
• Congregational Giving Range