The 185th Annual Convention
of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
"One love! One heart! Let's get together and feel alright. Hear the children crying, 'One love!' Saying, 'Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright.'"
Bob Marley
Dear Siblings in Christ,
One of the most profound moments of my ministry with you here in the Diocese of Missouri was standing at the font of St. John's in Eolia, leading the sacrament of Holy Baptism. I was standing there at the small marble font, one of the oldest in our Diocese's 185-year history. That font has borne witness to countless baptisms, and has stood as a sentinel for confirmations, weddings, and funerals for more than a hundred years.
Though small in stature, the font at St. John's, like all fonts, is a tangible reminder that we are united one to another as the Body of Christ that spans generations and reaches even beyond death. We are made one through Christ Jesus as we are reminded that there is one Body and one Spirit. There is one hope in God's call to us; One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; One God and Creator of all.
As we gather in Convention on November 15 and 16, 2024 to celebrate the 185th anniversary of our diocese and to dream towards our future, we are reminded that we are all one in mission, one in ministry, and one in love.
I invite you to join me as we gather as the One Body in Christ to forge new pathways, to face new challenges, and to foster new possibilities for our future. As we gather as the household of God in this place, I encourage you to prayerfully consider serving on the committees and commissions that guide our common life. Nominations for elected offices and resolutions that encourage us to be intentional in our collaborative ministries and creative in our imagining the future of the church are due by September 26, 2024.
Please continue to watch for news and details of the 185th Convention to be held at the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center in Chesterfield on the diocesan website:
diocesemo.org/2024-convention/
We continue to be one in the Spirit and united in our commitment to be bearers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am excited for us to gather to celebrate, to dream, and to share fellowship with each other as we seek to serve Christ as one church in many locations.
May God continue to bless and keep you as we gather as ONE!
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson
Eleventh Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri