155th Annual Diocesan Convention (2025)
The 155th Annual Diocesan Convention will be a joint convention with the Diocese of Bethlehem on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center in Scranton, PA.
Questions? Email Paula Lapinski, Missioner for Finance & Administration in the Diocese of Bethlehem.
Registration
We are excited for Annual Convention and gathering details as quickly as we can! Registration information will be shared as soon as it is available.
Hotel Blocks
Reserve your hotel room through one of the following hotel blocks. The hotel blocks will close on September 16 or when reservations are full.
Nominations
In this year of transition, we will elect:
- Three clergy and three laypeople to serve on the Diocesan Council.
- Four clergy and four laypeople to serve as General Convention Deputies.
The deadline for nominations is July 18, 2025. You can learn more about the provisions for this year’s elections in this letter from the Nominations Committee. Read the Diocesan Leadership Role Description to learn more about serving on the Diocesan Council or as a General Convention Deputy. Submit a nomination.
Constitution and Canons
The transition working group on Constitution and Canons has drafted Transitional Canons and the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of the Susquehanna. In early July, the dioceses hosted two listening sessions where participants could learn more and offer feedback. All members of the dioceses of Central Pennsylvania and Bethlehem are invited to view the slides from those listening sessions and then share feedback before July 23. Read more.
Fall Convocation Meetings
Fall Convocation meetings are a time for lay delegates, alternates, and clergy to gather in preparation for Annual Convention. The Diocesan Budget and other important business will be reviewed at each meeting. In-person gatherings will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the meeting from 6-8 p.m. Save the date for the meeting nearest you.
- West Branch: Monday, September 22, St. Paul’s, Lock Haven
- Southern: Wednesday, September 24, St. Andrew’s, York
- Lancaster: Thursday, September 25, St. John’s, Marietta
- Harrisburg: Tuesday, September 30, St. Andrew’s, Shippensburg
- Northern Tier: Wednesday, October 1, 6:00 p.m. Zoom
- Susquehanna: Thursday, October 2, St. Andrew’s, Lewisburg
- Altoona: Tuesday, October 7, St. Andrew’s, State College
Resolutions
At a typical Diocesan Convention, fruitful conversation surrounding social justice issues also happen, with resolutions being proposed to signify our support and encourage congregations to take action. Because this year’s Convention will be focused on reunification and only reunification-focused resolutions will be considered, we are excited to announce that the Diocese of the Susquehanna will host a Social Justice Summit in Spring 2026, where these vital conversations will take place. Read more.
Children, Youth, Young Adults, and Families
Call for Videos
At the 2025 convention, we will feature a video presentation highlighting children, youth, young adults and families, and we need your contributions! We are collecting short videos that we will compile into this longer presentation. Your videos should be no longer than 60 seconds and can address the following questions:
- What are your hopes for the new Diocese of the Susquehanna?
- What does this reunification mean to you?
- What ideas do you have to offer the new diocese?
- What do you want the people gathered at convention to know?
You can also send us videos of Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, youth group, or other exciting programs at your parish, and we welcome videos in Spanish, French, or other languages. Please ensure you collect signed parental permission for all children under 18 that appear in your video. Submit horizontal videos here. Contact Micah Roldan or Canon Micalagh Moritz with any questions.
Youth Panel
Youth and young adults ages 13 through 30 will be featured on a panel during convention. More details coming soon.
Childcare
Childcare will be available for children ages 0 through 12 at convention. More details coming soon.
For questions about any Children, Youth, Young Adults, and Families convention programming, contact Canon Micalagh Moritz.
