Diocesan Convention: Electing Deputies to General Convention

When Episcopalians gather for General Convention, the atmosphere is charged with a mix of reverence and responsibility. It is here, at General Convention, that our common life is debated, prayed over, and shaped for the years ahead. Deputies from every diocese come together, not just to pass legislation, but to discern how God is calling the Episcopal Church to live out its mission in the world.

This November, at our own Diocesan Convention in San Diego, we will elect the clergy and lay deputies who will carry our voice to the 82nd General Convention in 2027. It is a moment of both tradition and fresh opportunity—choosing leaders who will represent us in the most wide-reaching gathering of our church.

The Rev. Jeff Martinhauk, who has served as a deputy, said, “The spirit of compromise and discernment of God’s will for this church is what makes General Convention a really exciting place to be … the job of the convention is to discern how we come together as the Episcopal Church to do the important work God calls us to.”

The “issues” are never theoretical. They range from how we worship to how we respond to injustice; from shaping the church’s budget to discerning its public voice in a complex world. Deputies participate in committee hearings, listen to testimony, propose amendments, and cast votes on matters that affect the entire church. It is holy work—sometimes exhilarating, sometimes frustrating—but always undertaken with prayer and purpose. 

General Convention is not just about passing resolutions; it is how we faithfully engage the pressing questions of our time while trusting that God is at work in those gathered.

General Convention can be an eye-opening experience for a “first-timer.” In 2022, lay deputy Jen Jow discovered just how much the gathering reveals about the church’s life. “My takeaway was a greater understanding of the process,” she explains, “I was nervous about how we were going to get through the 400+ resolutions in four days, but to my amazement, it got done.” 

General Convention is a moment where we can see the Episcopal Church in its fullness. In the halls and committee rooms, deputies encounter people from every corner of the church—urban and rural dioceses, different cultures and contexts, diverse perspectives and priorities. The conversations can be challenging, but they are also a reminder of the breadth and beauty of the Body of Christ.

Polly Getz, 10-time lay deputy, reminds us that General Convention is more than legislation—it is worship, community, and connection across cultures and continents. In those moments of shared prayer and song, deputies see firsthand the breadth of the Episcopal Church and are reminded that our common life stretches far beyond diocesan or national boundaries. “The main General Convention Eucharist is one of my favorite moments,” she recalls, “Worshipping with thousands of Episcopalians is unbelievable! The music alone sets my heart on fire. I sat at the table with the son of a South American bishop. His perspective was both heartening and heartbreaking. He was in absolute awe at the number of Episcopalians gathered there.”

In EDSD, we will be electing our deputies to the General Convention in November at our Diocesan Convention. This election is much more than just filling a slate of positions; it is about entrusting our representatives with the sacred responsibility of carrying our diocesan story to the wider church. Four clergy deputies and four lay deputies from San Diego will bring the lived experiences of our congregations—from the international border to the Coachella Valley, from the California coast to Yuma, Arizona. They speak for all of us.

As our local Diocesan Convention approaches, we are invited to consider who among us may be called to this ministry. Deputies must be prepared for long days of work, careful study of resolutions, and the willingness to listen deeply. They must bring a spirit of prayer, humility, and openness, knowing that their decisions ripple outward across the whole church.

The 82nd General Convention will gather in 2027 in Phoenix, Arizona, where our deputies will take their places among hundreds of others. They will pray, deliberate, and vote. They will bring our diocese’s voice into the great conversation of the Episcopal Church. And they will come back carrying stories of God’s Spirit at work in the church we love.

As we prepare for our Diocesan Convention this November, let us pray for those who will stand for election. Let us give thanks for those willing to serve. And let us remember that through our deputies, the Diocese of San Diego is shaping the future of the Episcopal Church—faithfully, prayerfully, and seeking to follow the mission of Christ.

If you feel called to represent our diocese at General Convention, we invite you to put your name forward. Use the button below to submit your nomination.

Diocesan Convention Nominations