2024 Diocesan Convention
The 2024 Diocesan Conventions of the Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania were held at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie on October 12, 2024.
2024 Convention Journal
Download the 2024 Journal of the Joint Conventions
Pre-Convention Meetings
Pre-convention meetings were held on Zoom on September 25 and on September 26 . To view a recording of the meeting click here: Sept 26th Pre-Convention Meeting
Resolutions
WNY Resolution Resolution NY-A passed on a voice vote.
NWPA Resolutions Resolutions PA-A, PA-B, & PA-C all passed on a voice vote.
Nominations
WNY Nominations
Nominees in all uncontested elections were elected on a voice vote. In contested elections:
- James Isaac & the Rev. Diana Leiker were elected to four-year terms on the Standing Committee.
- The Rev. Jessica Frederick was elected to a three-year term on the Diocesan Council.
NWPA Nominations
Nominees in all uncontested elections were elected on a voice vote. In contested elections:
- Ed Palattella was elected to a four-year term on the Standing Committee.
- The Rev. Melinda Hall was elected to a four-year term on the Diocesan Council.
2025 Budgets
Bishop’s Nominations & Appointments
NWPA
The Ecclesiastical Authority nominated the following and they were approved on a voice vote:
• Secretary: Adam Trambley
• Treasurer: Tom Ryglinski
• Chancellor: Tom Tupitza
• Credentials [1 cl., 1 l.]: Martha Ishman, Deb Dietrich
• Dispatch [1 or more]: Stacey Fussell, Adam Trambley, Matthew Scott, Anne Bardol
• Nominations [3 cl., 3l.]: Standing Committee (less the terms with one year remaining)
• Judges of Elections [3]: James Ivell, Amy Ivell, Richard Reib
• Resolutions [2cl., 2 l.]: Adam Trambley, John Downey, Anne Bardol, Ed Palattella
• Historiographer: Bob Guerrein
The Ecclesiastical Authority appointed the following:
• Ecumenical Officer: John Downey
• Regional Deans: Mary Norton (NW), Adam Trambley (SW), Bill Ellis (SE), Stacey Fussell (NE)
WNY
The Bishop of the Diocese of New York appointed the following:
• Dispatch of Business: Cheryl Smith Fisher
• Resolutions Committee: Nick Evancho (chair), Patrick Bradley, Josephine Cross, Michael Hadaway
• Regional Deans: Nick Evancho (Northern Region), Cathy Dempesy Sims (Genesee), Luke Fodor (Cattaraugus/Chautauqua), Ann Tillman (Southern Erie), Michael Hadaway (Central Erie), Robert Harvey (Eastern Erie)
• Constitution and Canons: Eric Boron (Term ending 2028) and Thomas Mitchell (Term ending 2028)
Joint Appointments
The Bishop nominated the following to be elected by both Conventions and they were all approved by voice vote:
• Joint Board of Examining Chaplains: Stacey Fussell, Diana Leiker, Carol Carlson, Luke Fodor, Matthew Scott, Ann Tillman
• Joint Commission on Ministry: Beth Boron, Rebecca Barnes, Michael Hadaway, William McLean (Chair), Kaycee Reib, Cathy Smith, Diana Leiker, Tim Kroh, Patricia Lavery
• Joint Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination: Helen Harper (chair), Rose Sconiers, Susan Woods, Kim Rossi, Matthew Lincoln, Diana Leiker, Leann McConchie, Ann Tillman, Thomas Tripp, Michelle Cray, Shawn Clerkin, Denise Merriweather, Hal Payne, Christian Eshelman, Lillian Davis-Wilson, Marc Gutierrez, Deanna Scharf, Joseph Croskey, Matthew Scott, Stacey Fussell, Lisa Layman, Mark Elliston, Sara Nesbitt, Tracy Schliep, and John Ranney.
Convention Speakers
Bishop Ian Douglas and the Rev. Gay Jennings, lead evaluators for the evaluation of the partnership between the dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, attended the convention to present the data collection and preliminary learnings of the evaluation. Learn more.
Download the Preliminary Evaluation handout