The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida gathered October 9–10, 2026, for its 58th Annual Diocesan Convention, welcoming nearly 420 participants each day for a weekend of worship, learning, fellowship, and the shared work of the diocese. Centered on the theme “One Witness,” the two-day gathering celebrated the many ways our congregations and ministries are living out Christ’s love throughout Southwest Florida.
Friday’s programming featured four dynamic workshops designed to strengthen the diocese’s Four Pathways: Forming Disciples, Developing Leaders, Embracing Differences, and Transforming Communities. Participants engaged in meaningful conversations, shared ideas, and explored new opportunities to bring these priorities to life in their congregations and communities.
During his State of the Diocese Address, the Rt. Rev. Douglas F. Scharf, Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, reflected on the diocese’s shared vision and mission, the progress being made through the Four Pathways, and the adaptive challenges facing the Church. His presentation invited the diocesan family to consider how we are being called to move forward together as One Witness of Christ’s love.
Watch Bishop Scharf’s State of the Diocese Address
The day concluded with a beautiful service of Evensong, bringing the diocesan family together in prayer and reflection. On Saturday morning, clergy and lay leaders gathered for the Holy Eucharist before turning their attention to the annual business meeting.
Throughout the weekend, the theme “One Witness” served as a reminder that while our congregations, ministries, and communities are diverse, we are united in our call to share the love of Jesus Christ.
From worship and formation to the important decisions made during Saturday’s business meeting, the 58th Annual Diocesan Convention reflected a Church seeking to respond faithfully to the needs of its communities while strengthening its shared mission for the future.
View photos from the Convention on our image gallery at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD7Efv.
Church of the Apostles Welcomed as a Congregation
In another significant action, Convention unanimously approved the application of Church of the Apostles in Parrish to become a congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
The application had previously received the approval of Bishop Scharf and Diocesan Council. Convention’s affirmative vote marked an important milestone for Church of the Apostles and its continuing ministry in the diocese.
Convention Adopts Six Resolutions
During Saturday’s annual business meeting, Convention delegates approved six resolutions addressing diocesan governance, regional representation, leadership elections, and financial stewardship. Among the most significant actions was the approval of a new organizational structure transitioning the diocese from deaneries to geographic regions.
Resolution 2026-1: Transition to Regional Structure
Delegates voted 187 to 88 to approve amendments to Canons II, V, XI, and XVI, replacing the existing deanery structure with a regional structure. The changes establish two regional convenors for each region, and update diocesan governance processes, including representation on Diocesan Council, the Nominating Committee, and resolution sponsorship
Resolution 2026-2: Regional Vice Chancellors
Approved by a vote of 246 to 11, this resolution amends Article XI of the diocesan Constitution to provide for the appointment of a Vice Chancellor in each of the newly established regions, serving the congregations within that region.
Resolution 2026-3: Youth Representation at Convention
Building on legislation approved at the 57th Annual Convention, delegates voted 253 to 12 to update Canon I, providing for two youth representatives from each of the three regions. The changes support the inclusion of youth delegates with seat, voice, and vote beginning at the 59th Annual Convention in 2027.
Resolution 2026-4: General Convention Deputy Elections
Approved by a vote of 246 to 7, this resolution amends Canon II to streamline the election process for deputies and alternates to The Episcopal Church’s General Convention, while ensuring that candidates receiving the highest number of votes are elected.
Resolution 2026-5: Episcopal Elections
Delegates voted 252 to 5 to amend Canon XVIII, clarifying that the Bishop Diocesan may request the election of a successor Bishop Diocesan, in addition to a Bishop Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan. The amendments also align the Episcopal Election Committee with the new regional structure, providing for two appointees from each region.
Resolution 2026-6: Capital Apportionment Policy
By unanimous voice vote, Convention adopted a new Capital Apportionment Policy to support the responsible maintenance of diocesan properties, including DaySpring Camp and Conference Center, the USF Chapel Center, St. Bartholomew’s Cemetery, and the Smith Center.
The policy establishes a transparent capital apportionment calculator for congregations, incorporates a sliding scale to provide relief for large capital campaigns, and clarifies which property maintenance expenses are included. The calculator will be available on the diocesan website to help congregations estimate and verify their capital apportionments.
The following are the election results by the 58th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Southwest Florida on October 10, 2026.
Delegates at the convention voted online via the VPoll voting application. Please see the election results below:
ELECTION A: Standing Committee, Presbyter Elect two (2). Elect two (2) presbyters to a (3) three-year term.
- The Very Rev. Jessica Babcock
- The Very Rev. Dave Marshall
ELECTION B: Standing Committee, Lay: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) lay person to a (3) three-year term.
- Mr. Ted Tripp Jr.
ELECTION C: Diocesan Council, At large, Clergy: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) clergy to a (2) two-year term.
- The Rev. Michael Brady
ELECTION D: Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, Clergy: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) clergy to a 3-year term
- The Very Rev. Ryan Whitley
ELECTION E: Ecclesiastical Disciplinary Board, Lay: Elect one (1). Elect one (1) lay person to a 3-year term.
- Mr. Duane Hollier
The members of the 58th Diocesan Convention approved the following people who were elected at their Deanery Convocations to serve on Diocesan Council.
- Representing the Clearwater Deanery, Ms. Connie Mehr from St. Andrew’s Spring Hill, serving a third term.
- Representing the Ft. Myers Deanery, Ms. Margaret Lane, from St. Hilary’s Ft. Myers, serving a first term.
- Representing the Manasota Deanery, The Rev. Joyce Holmes, from St. Wilfred Sarasota, serving a second term.
- Representing the Naples Deanery, Ms. Judy Hughes, from St. Mark’s, Marco Island, serving a first term.
- Representing the St. Petersburg Deanery, Mr. Ron Clayton, from St. Bartholomew’s in St. Petersburg, serving a second term.
- Representing the Tampa Deanery, the Rev. Robert Douglas, from St. Mark’s Tampa, serving a first term.
- Representing the Venice Deanery, the Rev. Andrea Rose Hayden, from St. Nathaniel’s North Port, serving a second term.
The members of the 58th Diocesan Convention affirmed the appointments to the Commission on Ministry.
Lay appointments are:
- Mrs. Ning Bonoan, serving a second three-year term
- Mr. James Corn, Co-Chair, serving his first second three-year term.
The Deacon Appointment is:
- The Rev. Tania Wilkes, serving a first full three-year term.
- The Rev. Beth Wagner, serving a first three-year term.
The members of the 58th Diocesan Convention affirmed the appointments by Bishop Douglas Scharf as Canonical Deans for a one-year term, with no more than 3 consecutive terms.
- The Very Rev. Bill Van Oss, representing the Ft. Myers deanery, serving his first full-year term.
- The Very Rev. Daniel Lemley, representing the Clearwater deanery, serving his third term.
- The Very Rev. David Marshall, representing the Manasota deanery, serving his third term.
- The Very Rev. Jessica Babcock, representing the Naples deanery, serving her third term.
- The Very Rev. Ryan Whitley, representing the St. Petersburg deanery, serving his first term.
- The Very Rev. Adrienne Hymes, representing the Tampa deanery, serving her second term.
- The Very Rev. Joseph Hudson, representing the Venice deanery, serving his first term.
After the convention, the newly formed Standing Committee elected new officers. These officers are:
- President: The Rev. Bryan O’Carroll
- Vice President: The Rev. Sandra Rogers
- Secretary: Ms. Michelle Thomas
- Liaison to the C.O.M.: The Rev. Joe Hudson
Standing Committee Members:
Presbyters:
- The Very Rev. David Marshall 2029-1st Term
- The Rev. Joe Hudson 2027-1st Term
- The Rev. Dr. Jessica Babcock 2029-2nd Term
- The Rev. Bryan O’Carroll 2028-1st Term
- The Rev. Sandy Rogers 2027-1st Term
Electors:
- Mrs. Michelle Thomas 2027-1st Term
- Mr. Ted Tripp Jr. 2029-1st Term
- Mr. Stephen Straske 2028-1st Term
- Ms. Linda Tandy 2028- 1st Term
Moving Forward as One Witness
Throughout the weekend, the theme “One Witness” served as a reminder that while our congregations, ministries, and communities are diverse, we are united in our call to share the love of Jesus Christ.
From worship and formation to the important decisions made during Saturday’s business meeting, the 58th Annual Diocesan Convention reflected a Church seeking to respond faithfully to the needs of its communities while strengthening its shared mission for the future.