Convocation and Synod 2023
What does it mean to be befriended by Jesus? How do we open our home to him? Join us as we consider the life of Mary of Bethany and her response to Jesus as she worshipped at his feet.
Countdown
Information
Friday November 4 - Saturday, November 5
Church of the Holy Spirit
6011 Merriman Road, Roanoke, VA 24018
Join us for Convocation and Synod 2023 at Church of the Holy Spirit in Roanoke, VA!
Taking place the first week in November every year, Convocation and Synod is an opportunity for clergy, laity, diocesan staff, and other leaders to worship and fellowship together, engage the Scriptures, and vote on important canonical items.
We're excited for Dr. Bruce Hindmarsh and Carolyn Hindmarsh to lead us through a study of Mary of Bethany and consider what it means to befriend Jesus and be beloved by him.
Schedule
College of Presbyters and College of Deacons Schedule
Check In: 2:30pm
Welcome and Vision-Casting: 3:30pm
Prayer: 4:30pm
Dinner Out (together): 5:45pm
Morning Prayer: 8:30am
College Meetings: 9:00am
Lunch: 12:00pm
College Meetings: 1:30pm
Prayer: 4:30pm
Dinner (on your own)
Convocation and Synod Schedule
Morning Prayer: 9:00am
Plenary 1: 9:30am
Break: 10:45am
Plenary 2: 11:00am
Lunch: 12:15pm
Plenary 3: 1:45pm
Fellowship/Extended Break: 3:00pm
DInner: 6:00pm
Eucharist: 7:30pm
Morning Prayer: 9:00am
Synod: 9:30pm
End of Event: 12:30pm
registration
Who Should Attend Convocation and Synod?
Everyone!
All domiciled clergy are required to attend and each congregation or mission sends at least two lay delegates to take part in Synod, but Convocation and Synod is open to everyone! We'd love for you to join us for a wonderful time of worship, teaching, and fellowship.
Pricing
Several registration options are available:
Full Event: $175
Convocation Only: $125
Synod Only: $50
Register now for an early bird discount! The early bird rate expires September 10, 2023!
Lodging
We have a group rate at two Roanoke area hotels:
Hampton Inn Roanoke Downtown: $169/night
Home2 Suites Roanoke: $124/night
Space is limited. If one of the above options is full when you try to book, consider these other area hotels:
Other Area Hotels:
Hilton Garden Inn Roanoke: 10 Minutes
Hampton Inn East Salem: 11 Minutes
Sleep Inn Tanglewood: 7 Minutes
Comfort Suites Ridgewood: 11 Minutes
Speakers
Dr. Bruce Hindmarsh
About Bruce
Bruce Hindmarsh took his D.Phil. degree in theology at Oxford University in 1993.
His articles have appeared in respected academic journals such as Church History, the Journal of Ecclesiastical History, and the Huntington Library Quarterly and he is the author of three major books. Bruce has been the recipient of numerous teaching awards, research grants, and fellowships. He has also been a Mayers Research Fellow at the Huntington Library and a holder of the Henry Luce III Theological Fellowship.
He teaches the history of Christian spirituality, and speaks often to lay audiences as well as preaching in his own church and elsewhere. A former staff worker for Youth for Christ and an active lay member of an Anglican Church, he is married to Carolyn, and they have three adult children.
Carolyn Hindmarsh
About Carolyn
Carolyn Hindmarsh is a regular sessional instructor at Regent College. She has been teaching New Testament Greek since 2007 and is known as a skilled and inspiring teacher of the language. An experienced speaker, retreat leader, and spiritual director, Carolyn completed her Master of Theological Studies degree in Spiritual Theology at Regent, studied Benedictine spirituality in Rome at the Collegio Sant’Anselmo, and received training in leading the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises through the Martin Institute and the Jesuit Institute South Africa. She is currently completing a DMin in spiritual direction at Fuller Seminary. In her speaking, teaching, and personal ministry, she seeks to inspire others to follow Christ more closely through a life-changing and prayerful engagement with Scripture. She is married to Bruce, and they have three adult children.
At the Feet of Jesus:
Praying with Mary of Bethany
Join Bruce and Carolyn as they help us set aside for the moment our public roles and responsibilities to “open our home” to the Lord Jesus Christ and to consider what it might mean to invite him into this most intimate space.
What does it mean to be befriended by Jesus Christ and beloved by him in the most interior way? It is at home, behind closed doors, where we dare to voice our greatest hopes and fears, where we experience our deepest joys and sorrows.
In the Gospels, the Lord Jesus chose to visit Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in their ordinary home and to enter fully into their messy lives. On all three occasions, his presence made all the difference.
Bruce and Carolyn will consider all three domestic disciples at home in the village of Bethany, but will focus the spotlight especially on Mary and invite us to follow her in her response to Jesus. By placing ourselves there with Mary at the feet of Jesus, we can pray with Mary of Bethany and make her wholehearted response our own.