The 45th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee will be held November 20-21, 2026, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, Tennessee. We are grateful to the Rev. Jesse Perkins, Rector, and the St. Luke’s community for their hospitality as we prepare for this important event in the life of our diocese.
While sometimes vision may come to us with immediacy, at other times being clear about what God is telling us takes time and discernment. Our diocesan leadership has been taking intentional, prayerful time since last year’s convention to discern God’s vision for our diocese. On Nov. 20-21 in Jackson, we will gather in community to do the business of the Church, to celebrate our various ministries with one another, and to share the vision our leadership believes God has for this appointed time in the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee.
Convention will open with a special Choral Evensong at St. Luke’s at 6:00 p.m., followed by a festive reception. All are welcome and warmly encouraged to attend, whether or not you plan to attend Saturday’s business proceedings. Nursery will be provided. No registration is required for Friday night, although it is helpful if you let us know if you intend to use the nursery so we can plan for adequate staffing.
KeynoteWe are pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger as our keynote speaker. A practical theologian and executive coach, Dr. Bolsinger serves as Executive Director of the Church Leadership Institute and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has more than three decades of experience in ministry and leadership development and is the author of several influential works, including Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory and How Not to Waste a Crisis, which was the focus of our 2025 diocesan Lenten book study. He also led this year’s clergy retreat, and we look forward to welcoming him back to West Tennessee.
All voting members of the Convention, as well as alternates, will need an electronic device with access to the Internet and the email provided during registration to vote.
The deadline to register for Convention is Friday, October 2 at 5 p.m. CST.
$90
$115
This registration may include spouses, partners, friends, visitors, or anyone else who would like to attend the Saturday portion of Convention. It is also the registration for the following clergy:
$125/ person
$150/ person
This registration allows a church to pay for the number of delegates and canonically resident clergy that they are sending to Convention.
All churches in the Diocese of West Tennessee received a letter in May 2026 confirming the number of lay delegates they may send to Convention. Please refer to Canon 1.7 (a) of The Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee for more information.
If your Faith Community has already registered but needs to add additional attendees, please submit their information through the registration form. If any of the new attendees are replacing individuals who were previously registered, please also send an email to dmurray@episwtn.org with the names of those being added and those being replaced so we can update the registration list accordingly.
At the end of the Delegation Registration form, you will be asked to certify on behalf of the Rector, Clergy-in-Charge, or Senior Warden that the delegates have been selected in accordance with the Canons of the Diocese of West Tennessee and in accordance with your congregation’s governing documents. Please refer to Canon 1.7 (b) for delegate eligibility requirements.
A block of rooms for Diocesan Convention has been arranged at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jackson (1770 Highway 45 Bypass) at a discounted rate.
The deadline to reserve a room from the reserved block is October 22. Please book your room through the button below.
Childcare will be available at Diocesan Convention for registered attendees, and the St. Luke’s nursery will be available on Saturday evening during Evensong. To help us plan for adequate staffing, please let us know if you plan to use childcare.
Resolutions may be proposed only by: the ecclesiastical authority, canonically resident clergy, lay delegates, the secretary, the treasurer, the chancellor, any vice-chancellor, the archivist, the Bishop and Council, the Standing Committee, the Standing Committee on Constitution and Canons, vestries, and mission councils.
Resolutions proposed for consideration at Diocesan Convention 2026 must be submitted by October 7, 2026 using the electronic form and must be signed by the proposer. Resolutions received after this date must receive 2/3 vote of the Convention to be considered.
The following must be considered prior to the submission of any resolution:
If the resolution contains funding implications, a cost estimate must be included in the last resolve clause. Please use this format:
“Resolved that the Finance Committee* consider a budget allocation of $____ for the implementation of this Resolution.” (*Or indicate another entity.)
Resolutions for consideration by Diocesan Convention must be endorsed by two additional delegates, who must not be from the proposer’s congregation.
Each year, lay persons and clergy are encouraged to run for diocesan positions and participate in Diocesan Convention as delegates. The church functions at her best when there is collegiality and collaboration from throughout the Diocese. We want our diocesan bodies to reflect a variety of perspectives from the 21 counties in West Tennessee where our congregations are located.
If you have never considered serving on a diocesan committee, talk with your clergy person or one of your wardens to learn more about this important work. We need your voice at the table.
The deadline for nominations to be included in the Convention Book and the website is November 9, 2026.
Nominations will be accepted until Saturday, November 20, 2026 at 12 p.m.
The Committee will meet at 4 p.m. on the following dates in 2027: January 28, April 22, May 27, August 26, September 30, and October 28.
Lay. A lay nominee must be at least 18 years old, a confirmed communicant in good standing in the Diocese of West Tennessee, and a resident in the Diocese of West Tennessee for at least one year. Additionally, as lay members from St. George’s (Germantown) and Calvary (Memphis) currently serve on the Standing Committee, nominees may not be from these faith communities.
Clergy. A clergy nominee must be active, as defined under the rules of the Church Pension Fund, must have been canonically resident in the Diocese of West Tennessee for at least one year, and as there are clergy from Calvary (Memphis) and St. Luke’s (Jackson) who currently serve on the Standing Committee, nominees may not be serving at one of these faith communities.
Bishop & Council will meet at 9:00 a.m. on the following dates in 2027: January 28, April 22, May 27, August 26, September 30, and October 28.
Lay. A lay nominee must be at least 18 years old, a confirmed communicant in good standing in the Diocese of West Tennessee, and a resident in the Diocese of West Tennessee for at least one year. Additionally, as lay members from Immanuel (Ripley), Good Shepherd (Memphis), and Calvary (Memphis) currently serve on Bishop & Council, nominees may not be from these faith communities.
Clergy. An ordained nominee must be canonically resident and currently serving in ordained ministry in the Diocese of West Tennessee, age 71 or younger unless the Bishop has extended his or her ministry in writing, and as clergy from St. Mary’s Cathedral (Memphis) and Trezevant Manor (Memphis) are currently elected members of Bishop and Council, nominees may not be serving at these faith communities.
The 45th Convention will elect one clergy Trustee of The University of the South (Sewanee) to serve a term beginning July 1, 2027, and ending June 30, 2030. The nominee must be canonically resident and currently serving in ordained ministry in this Diocese. Neither the Diocese nor Sewanee pay for travel expenses. When the Sewanee Inn is available, lodging is free at Sewanee. Expenses may be eligible to be treated as donations for income tax purposes and Trustees are encouraged to seek tax advice from their tax counsel.
The Disciplinary Board is the group of clergy and laypersons that receives information and makes decisions when a member of the clergy is accused of misconduct.
A lay nominee must be at least 18 years old, a confirmed communicant in good standing in the Diocese of West Tennessee, and a resident in the Diocese of West Tennessee. Clergy nominees must be canonically and geographically resident in the Diocese of West Tennessee.
The Cathedral Committee is a group of clergy and laypersons responsible for planning, funding, staffing and managing diocesan services, events, and programs at St. Mary’s Cathedral, in consultation with St. Mary’s and diocesan staffs.
The Convention shall elect two members, one lay and one clergy, to the Cathedral Committee. Nominees shall be members at large of the Diocese of West Tennessee. Neither may be a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Lay members must be adult confirmed communicants in good standing.
The 45th Convention will elect one lay deputy, two lay alternates, one clergy deputy, and one clergy alternate to the 82nd General Convention, which will be held July 3-8, 2027, in Phoenix, Arizona.
A lay nominee must be at least 18 years old and a confirmed communicant in good standing in the Diocese of West Tennessee. Clergy nominees must be canonically resident in the Diocese of West Tennessee. All nominees must must agree to attend informational meetings and to review materials in preparation for the General Convention, as well as to attend Province IV Synod meetings and the entirety of the 82nd General Convention.
Additionally, nominees must fulfill all requirements set forth for deputies by the General Convention Office, which could include intercultural competency training.
St. George’s Episcopal Church (Germantown)
Ordained in 2010, Chris has served as chaplain to the University of Mississippi and rector of two parishes before accepting the call to serve as rector of St. George’s. Chris has served on the Executive Committee (roughly equivalent to Bishop & Council) in the Diocese of Mississippi for two terms and on the Disciplinary Board for one term.
St. George’s Episcopal Church (Germantown)
The Rev. Amanda McGriff currently serves as chaplain at Methodist University Hospital, primarily working with the palliative care team and patients. Since her graduation from Bexley Seabury Seminary in May 2021, she has served as curate and then assisting priest at St. George’s, Germantown. Prior to entering seminary, she served as pastoral care coordinator at Grace-St. Luke’s, Memphis. She was an alternate diocesan delegate to the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church, and she is the author of Will You? A Lenten Study of Baptismal Promises and the accompanying group leader guide. Amanda, her husband Wil, their son Darwin, and their greyhound Goose live in Memphis.
Church of the Good Shepherd (Memphis)
A dedicated member of Church of the Good Shepherd, Bill currently serves on the Vestry. This commitment to service is a cornerstone of his life, not only in his faith but as devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is a proud fifth-generation native of Memphis and continues to invest in his community by volunteering at the Woodruff Fontaine House Museum, helping to preserve the city’s rich history. Professionally, he is the Business Development Director for YK Auto Group, contributing to the local economy. His efforts through his family, church, volunteer work, and career— reflect a deep-seated pride in and dedication to the Memphis community and Diocese of West Tennessee.
Church of the Holy Communion (Memphis)
The Reverend Sarah Cowan serves as Senior Associate Rector at Church of the Holy Communion (Memphis), having previously held the post of Associate Rector and Minister of Communications. Her previous ministry experience includes a shared position between St. Mary’s Cathedral and Barth House, the college ministry in the Diocese of West Tennessee. She currently serves as President of the Standing Committee and on the Planning Team for the Small Church Initiative. She earned her Master’s of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2021 and was ordained to priestly orders in 2022. Prior to following her call into ordained ministry, she was active in several Episcopal parishes, serving as a youth group lay leader, vestry member, Sunday School teacher, and Happening Steering Committee Chair (2007-2009). Professionally, she was the Director of Communications for 19 years at St. George’s Independent School. Sarah is originally from San Diego, where she grew up singing in the youth choir at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and working summers at Camp Stevens, an Episcopal camp and conference center located in the mountains outside of San Diego. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, with a major in history and a minor in religious studies.
Church of the Holy Apostles (Collierville)
The Reverend Deacon Gerri Endicott is a lifelong Episcopalian and West Tennessee native. Ordained to the Diaconate in 2018, she was the first West Tennessee clergyperson formed at The University of the South School of Theology’s ACTS (Alternative Clergy Training at Sewanee) Program. She has served as Deacon at Church of the Holy Apostles since December 2020. Gerri currently serves the Diocese as a member of the Finance Committee and the Becoming Beloved Community Commission. She is on the Board of St. Columba Camp and Retreat Center. Gerri is a former member of Bishop and Council and the Commission on Ministry. On a denominational basis, she is a Director on the Board of The Fund for the Diaconate, where she is currently the Chaplain and Grants Chair. In July 2027 she will travel to Phoenix, Arizona as a three-time member of the West Tennessee deputation to General Convention.
Church of the Good Shepherd (Memphis)
A dedicated member of Church of the Good Shepherd, Bill currently serves on the Vestry. This commitment to service is a cornerstone of his life, not only in his faith but as devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is a proud fifth-generation native of Memphis and continues to invest in his community by volunteering at the Woodruff Fontaine House Museum, helping to preserve the city’s rich history. Professionally, he is the Business Development Director for YK Auto Group, contributing to the local economy. His efforts through his family, church, volunteer work, and career— reflect a deep-seated pride in and dedication to the Memphis community and Diocese of West Tennessee.
St. Thomas (Somerville), Christ Church (Brownsville), St. Constance (Memphis)
Prior to ordination in 2007, the Reverend Deacon Drew Woodruff served in numerous lay leadership roles at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, including Acolyte Warden, Verger, and the poptop food ministry, which he established nearly 30 years ago. Now retired from full-time ministry, Drew and his wife, Maureen, help stock blessing boxes outside St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Southaven, Mississippi, and St. Thomas in Somerville. Drew earned his Master of Theological Studies from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2005, graduating with honors. He worked for 38 years as an industrial salesman at Nexair.
Church of the Good Shepherd (Memphis)
A dedicated member of Church of the Good Shepherd, Bill currently serves on the Vestry. This commitment to service is a cornerstone of his life, not only in his faith but as devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is a proud fifth-generation native of Memphis and continues to invest in his community by volunteering at the Woodruff Fontaine House Museum, helping to preserve the city’s rich history. Professionally, he is the Business Development Director for YK Auto Group, contributing to the local economy. His efforts through his family, church, volunteer work, and career— reflect a deep-seated pride in and dedication to the Memphis community and Diocese of West Tennessee.
St. George’s Episcopal Church (Germantown)
The Rev. Amanda McGriff currently serves as chaplain at Methodist University Hospital, primarily working with the palliative care team and patients. Since her graduation from Bexley Seabury Seminary in May 2021, she has served as curate and then assisting priest at St. George’s, Germantown. Prior to entering seminary, she served as pastoral care coordinator at Grace-St. Luke’s, Memphis. She was an alternate diocesan delegate to the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church, and she is the author of Will You? A Lenten Study of Baptismal Promises and the accompanying group leader guide. Amanda, her husband Wil, their son Darwin, and their greyhound Goose live in Memphis.
Church of the Holy Apostles (Collierville)
Native Memphian and lifelong Episcopalian, Gerri was ordained to the diaconate in 2018. Within the diocese, she is currently serving on the Diocesan Finance Committee, The Becoming Beloved Community Commission, and the Board of St. Columba. On a denominational basis, Gerri is a board member of the Fund for the Diaconate, an organization that assists deacons in need. Previously, she served on Bishop & Council and the Commission on Ministry. She also served at the past two General Conventions. At the 80th GC in Baltimore she served as an alternate, and at the 81st in Louisville as a deputy and member of the Legislative Committee for Accessibility and Inclusion. She hopes to continue this work in Phoenix in 2027.
Saint John’s Episcopal Church (Memphis)
Donna is the Associate Rector at St. John’s in Memphis. She is responsible for Adult Formation, Pastoral Care, and Welcoming Ministries. She was elected to a 3-year term on the Diocese of West Tennessee Standing Committee in 2025. Donna came from the Diocese of Alabama where she was engaged with her parish and diocesan ministries. In her spare time she loves to garden, read spy thrillers, and look for treasures at antique shops and on Facebook Marketplace. She is a self-proclaimed “Church Nerd,” loving all aspects of church governance and the workings of the Church. Donna was her seminary representative at General Convention in 2012 and 2015 and loved every minute of it!
Church of the Holy Apostles (Collierville)
The Rev. Lisa McIndoo, a native of Memphis and a graduate of the School of Theology at Sewanee, has served as rector of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in East Tennessee, St. Timothy’s in the Diocese of El Camino Real, and currently at Holy Apostles in Collierville, Tennessee. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the University of the South and on the Commission on Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee. Lisa is married and the mother of three children.
Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Memphis)
The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher has served as rector of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Memphis since July 2018 after ordained ministry roles in the Episcopal dioceses of North Carolina, West Tennessee, and Mississippi. Father Rencher is an alumnus of General Seminary and Millsaps College and a member of the Fellowship of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist. Over the last 25 years, his churchwide service has included the West Tennessee standing committee and commission on ministry; boards of MIFA, BRIDGES, The Gathering of Leaders, Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School, St. George’s Independent School, Trinity Episcopal School, Duncan M. Gray Conference Center; racial healing initiative committees and programs; diocesan commissions on liturgy and music and constitution and canons; disaster relief chaplaincy; spiritual faculty for Episcopal CREDO; Washington National Cathedral summer seminarian; and chorister with Episcopal parish and cathedral choirs. Father Rencher is married to Ellie Rolfes Rencher.
Calvary Episcopal Church (Memphis)
Robyn Mauldin Banks is the director of communications at Calvary Episcopal Church, where she has served for more than 20 years. She leads Calvary’s efforts to share how the parish is making God’s love visible in downtown Memphis. Engaged in the Episcopal Church beyond her parish, Robyn has represented Calvary as a delegate to diocesan convention multiple times and has served on the board of Episcopal Communicators, earning numerous awards for excellence in church communications. She is also a graduate of the Education for Ministry program. A lifelong “church nerd,” Robyn sees General Convention as both a personal goal and a vocational calling. Passionate about how stories connect communities and the good that emerges when we work together, she looks forward to contributing her experience, creativity, and collaborative spirit to the wider church. Robyn is mom to a precocious nine-year-old daughter, who shares her love of stories and community.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (Dyersburg)
Scott currently serves as Vice Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee and as a member of the Executive Council of the General Convention (GC) of The Episcopal Church. He has served as a Deputy to General Convention for the past four General Conventions and as First Alternate for the two prior conventions. Since 2015, he has been appointed to serve on and chair various General Convention interim bodies and legislative committees.
Scott joined the Episcopal Church in 1987 at Calvary Church, Memphis. From 1989 through 2011, he was active at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown, and since 2012, he has been active at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Dyersburg. He is an attorney in private practice and lives with his husband, Dr. Cannon Doan, along with his two youngest adult sons.
Church of the Holy Apostles (Collierville)
Cynthia McCarty has served in Episcopal youth ministry for more than fourteen years, including over a decade at her current parish. She is passionate about forming young people in faith and has served the Church in many capacities—attending diocesan conventions and, as a teenager, representing her parish at the Episcopal Youth Event. Cynthia currently teaches religion at St. George’s Independent School, a local Episcopal school, where she introduces Pre-Kindergarten students to the rhythms of the Church year and the love of God. She is completing her third year of Education for Ministry (EfM), further deepening her commitment to theological reflection and lay leadership within the Episcopal Church. Cynthia holds a B.S. in Health Sciences and a Master’s degree in Education and previously taught in the public school system. She lives in Germantown, Tennessee, with her two sons and their golden doodle.
A virtual resolution hearing was held on October 22, 2024, and representatives introducing resolutions provided information about proposed resolutions and answered questions.
To review a recording of this hearing, please click here.
Revisions have been made to the proposed resolutions.
Additionally, The Committee on Constitution and Canons have made revisions to the Rules of Order.
The resolutions and Rules of Order, as revised, are linked below.
During Diocesan Convention, it is the custom of our Diocese to remember those persons who have served in a diocesan leadership role and have died since the prior Convention. Examples of diocesan leadership roles include:
November 16 at noon is the deadline for submitting additional resolutions or amendments to any of the resolutions listed above. Any additional resolutions or amendments to resolutions will require a vote of 2/3 of the Convention to be considered, in addition to meeting other requirements set forth in the Rules of Order. Forms for submitting resolutions and amendments are linked below.
