2024 Resolutions
Resolutions to be considered at the 2024 Diocesan Convention.
2024 Convention
The 185th Annual Convention
of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
November 15-16, 2024
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
Welcome to the 185th gathering of the household of the Diocese of Missouri. For over 185 years faithful women and men have gathered in prayer, worship, and service to seek and serve Christ in the guise of stranger and friend. In their time they founded hospitals, schools, and churches as edifices to the goodness of God’s wonderworking power being manifest in them. They welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, befriended the immigrant, visited the prisoner, and fed the hungry. They were pioneers who broke barriers of class, gender, and race and called the world to newness and fullness of life. They were creators who broadened the vision of the Church and deepened the call to serve those in need. Their legacy of faithfulness, fierceness, and fearlessness continues today in us. We are one with them and each other as we seek in our time to follow Jesus.
We are one Church, one fellowship, one community living the Good News of Jesus in many places. We are joined and connected by the One Lord, One faith, One baptism! Today we are leaning deeper into collaboration, connection, and community as we chart new paths toward the dream of a world transformed by God's love, justice, and peace. Today we plant the seeds of hope and possibility for those who will come after us. We are working for social justice, healing the sin of racism, striving for equity, and advocating for justice.
As part of the Body of Christ professing one Church, one Faith, one baptism, we are all called as a united community of faith to pay attention to the foundational ways of God. We practice and proclaim the One Baptism to which we have been called and united in Christ when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, comfort the afflicted, and seek after justice. We are One in Christ when we seek to be agents of healing, ambassadors of reconciliation, and advocates for justice. Christ’s work is our work and we embody that work together!
Today we forge a new legacy for those who will come after us in the faith and fellowship of Jesus our Savior. As one we will celebrate the past, engage the present, and inspire the future in the name of Christ who strengthens us.
So let us as one be about the business to which God has called us in this time and place!
The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Clergy
Bishop Michael B. Curry Inspires at The 185th Convention
Bishop Michael B. Curry, the retired 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church delivered a stirring sermon and keynote address during the 185th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. Known worldwide for his dynamic preaching and unwavering commitment to love and justice, Bishop Curry left an indelible mark on attendees with his electrifying presence and transformative message.
Drawing on his deep well of spiritual wisdom, Bishop Curry urged the audience to embrace a bold vision of unity, compassion, and community. His address challenged attendees to see love not as a fleeting sentiment but as a powerful force capable of driving meaningful change. “Love is not just a feeling,” he declared, “it is a commitment to break down barriers and build bridges.”
Bishop Curry’s passionate call to action resonated deeply. He encouraged individuals to move beyond divisions and take tangible steps toward creating a world where everyone feels valued and connected. Through his signature energy and heartfelt storytelling, he painted a vivid picture of what a community rooted in love and family could achieve.
Attendees described his sermon as both a challenge and an inspiration. Many left the convention renewed in their commitment to fostering understanding, promoting justice, and living out their faith through acts of kindness and advocacy.
The convention served as a reminder of the Episcopal Church’s ongoing mission to embody the teachings of Christ through love and service. Bishop Curry’s message underscored the transformative power of love and its ability to bring people together in times of division, offering hope for a brighter, more inclusive future.
Celebrating 50 Years of Women in Ministry
One of the most significant moments of this year’s Convention was the celebration of 50 years of women in ministry. This milestone, marked by joy and reflection, honored the contributions of women who have shaped the diocese and the Episcopal Church with their faith, leadership, and resilience.
Bishop Johnson led the commemoration, highlighting the profound impact women clergy have had over the past five decades. He paid tribute to trailblazing pioneers like Leah Scarlett and Elizabeth Dyer, whose legacies of service and dedication have left an indelible mark on the diocese. These women, alongside countless others who serve today, were recognized as foundational to the transformative work carried out in congregations, communities, and beyond.
“We must stand with those fearless and faithful women who know that change comes not by standing on the sidelines, but by claiming our whole voice,” Bishop Johnson declared in a passionate address. His words echoed the spirit of the event, underscoring the courage and determination of women who have not only embraced their call to ministry but have also paved the way for future generations.
The Bishop's Address
A Legacy of Vision and Revolution – Honoring Women’s Voices in the Church
Bishop Deon Johnson’s stirring convention address illuminated a profound truth: the Church’s transformative power lies in its people—those who dare to dream boldly, act courageously, and persist against the tides of tradition and exclusion. Through the legacies of Leah Scarlett and Elizabeth Dyer, we are reminded of the revolutionary spirit that has shaped the Episcopal Church and calls us still.
In 1943, Leah Scarlett’s indignation at the absence of women in leadership ignited a movement. Her relentless advocacy led to the election of Elizabeth Dyer as the first woman with voice and vote at General Convention in 1946. Together, they modeled a quiet yet unyielding persistence that forever altered the Episcopal Church’s landscape.
Bishop Johnson wove their story into the larger narrative of faith-driven transformation, emphasizing that their courage was not about mere representation but about the broader mission of embodying God’s justice and love. “Persistence, dignity, and an insistence that we will not go away,” he said, are fueled by a shared vision—one that propels us to build a Church that is inclusive, bold, and revolutionary.
Today, the Diocese honors this legacy by fostering collaboration, innovation, and ministries that reflect Christ’s call to service. From shared youth groups to partnerships between congregations, the Church is leaning into the challenges of an evolving world, finding unity in purpose.
Bishop Johnson’s challenge is clear: this is no time for reticence. Inspired by pioneers like Leah and Elizabeth, the Church must reclaim its prophetic voice, shatter barriers, and embrace the work of resurrection over resuscitation.
The Church at its best is a force for justice, reconciliation, and transformation. It walks in the footsteps of revolutionary women, hand in hand, proclaiming the Good News of love and liberation for all.
Convention Photos
View and download images from the 185th convention. Click the link below to head to our DioMO Flickr page.
Download the New DioMO App!
As we shift towards a greener convention, we’re excited to embrace a paperless approach this year by introducing our new app, designed to put all the convention resources right at your fingertips. With everything you need in one place, staying connected and informed has never been more accessible!
2024 Convention Resources
- 2024 185th Diocesan Convention Booklet (33.3 MB pdf)
- 2024 185th Diocesan Convention Nominations (6.3 MB pdf)
- 2024 Convention Choir Music (2.3 MB pdf)
- 2024 DioMO Time Capsule Instructions (1) (285 KB pdf)
- 2024 Proclaim Magazine (53.5 MB pdf)
- 2025 Budget Packet for Convention (13.3 MB pdf)
- Alternate Hotels (35 KB pdf)
- Schedule DioMO 2024 Convention (6.9 MB pdf)