ECC Holy Synod 2022

We are so excited to be gathering in person and virtually for our Holy Synod 2022 being held this year from October 9-12 at Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch in St. Louis. We hope you will join us as we pray, vision and celebrate together the gift of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion for years to come! This Synod News Edition #1 is being sent through our HOL, HOP & OPB Newsletter contact lists and to previous Synod attendees. If you think there are others who would want to see it, please feel free to forward it to them!
The announcements will also be posted to the Holy Synod 2022 – ECC Facebook page. If you are on Facebook, we invite you to join the group!

Blessings,ECC Synod Planning Committee

Synod Registration Fees

The registration fees for different designations are listed below. Note, there is an early bird savings of 10% for registrations received before Sept 1, 2022. We hope you register soon to take advantage of this discount!

Registration fees can be paid online at time of registration. If preferable, a check can be mailed to the ECC office with your paper registration form. We are asking PayPal users to help cover the associated fee, please contact our OPB administrator, Carolyn Sue Cecil, by email or call her at (314) 918-2767 to work out that detail.  Live Stream for Faith CommunitiesWe are delighted to be offering a virtual experience again for parishes this Synod – the one fee covers all non-delegate members in your faith community. The Zoom link will permit you to attend ALL General Assembly Sessions, including Opening & Closing sessions, the Presiding Bishop’s State of the Communion Address, prayer services, joint legislative sessions (not House sessions), the voting for our new PB and the Installment Ceremony. We trust you understand the enormous endeavor it is to put on a hybrid Synod, and as such, the Synod Planning Committee cannot offer virtual workshop access this year. However, if your delegate wants to organize this opportunity for your community, we fully welcome and support that initiative!

Dinner Tuesday EveningOur Synod banquet dinner on Tuesday evening will be buffet style. The main entrées are a selection of Top Round of Roast Beef, Italian Breaded Chicken Breast, and Breaded and Broiled Cod. If you require a special diet, gluten free or vegetarian option, please include that information with your registration. Note that Carmine’s Steakhouse requires a minimum of three weeks’ notice for special meals, therefore, they must be ordered No Later Than Friday, September 20th!

* Meals (hot/cold buffet breakfast & “Kickback” dinner) are included for hotel guests. Anyone not staying at the hotel may purchase the hot/cold buffet breakfast and/or “kickback” dinner through the hotel front desk. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available.

Synod Registration

Synod online registration, as well as, printable forms will be made available very soon! If a community wants to register their delegates by snail-mail, please print & complete the Synod Registration Form for each person, make check payable to Ecumenical Catholic Communion (Synod 2022 in subject line) and mail to:  Ecumenical Catholic Communion483 E. Lockwood Avenue, Ste. 3St. Louis, MO 63119 For cancellations, Synod registration fees will not be able to be refunded after September 8th.

Hotel Reservation

START BOOKING YOUR HOTEL ROOMS NOW!    All attendees must make their hotel room reservations directly with Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch, St. Louis, MO   Discounted room rate for single, double, triple or quad rooms, with either 1 King or 2 Queen Beds is $149.00 plus tax/night.Each room includes free Wi-Fi, TV, microwave, refrigerator, iron/ironing board and hairdryer. Select a room type below to explore the photos! Reservations can be made by reserving online at www.druryhotels.com, then entering Group Number 2422131 or by calling 1-800-325-0720. If you choose to call, refer to Group Number 2422131 when speaking to the customer representative. Note, to receive the ECC discounted room rate, rooms must be booked by September 8th. Additional room nights at the discounted rate can be booked for dates before and after Synod. If for any reason there is a change in your plans, reservations must be cancelled prior to 12:00pm on the day before the reservation’s confirmed date of arrival in order to avoid a non-refundable fee equal to one night’s room rate plus tax. A Clean + Safe CommitmentThe Drury Plaza Hotel is proud to partner with Ecolab Inc. – a global leader in hygiene and infection prevention solutions for the hospitality industry – to keep their guests and team members safe. Click here to read more. All hotel and city COVID safety protocols and precautions will be enforced. Hotel AccessibilityThe Drury Plaza Hotel is in accordance with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and service animals are allowed free of charge for persons with disability. Transportation to-from Airport and Hotel Unfortunately, the hotel does not provide a shuttle service from the airport. We are working on providing you with transportation options. Are You Driving?  If you are driving, the hotel offers covered parking at $21- $25 per space, per night.

Electronic Packets

As in previous years, we are looking to minimize the use of paper handouts and will email amendments, presentation handouts, schedule, zoom links, etc. for you to print yourself or view online with your electronic device.  A delegate, in person and virtually, is eligible to vote on behalf of their community on matters of House business, the Budget, proposed legislation and the next Presiding Bishop provided the faith community is in good standing (Article II.3.b of the ECC Constitution).

Display Tables

Rectangular banquet tables are available at no charge if you wish to share informational and marketing materials about your community. If you are selling product at your table, please consider making a donation towards Synod expenses. Email eccsynod@gmail.com to request a table and indicate if you would like electricity. Although electricity is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Planning Your Trip

Some times on the first day, Sunday, October 9th to keep in mind as you plan your travel: Check-In on first day is from 9:00am – 9:00pm Opening Ceremony & Welcome begins at 4:00pmFinance Report & New Budget Proposal at 4:45pmBp. Francis’ State of the Communion address at 7:00pmEvening Prayer at 8:30pm Closing Ceremonies ends at 12:00pm/Noon on the last day. A full schedule will be forthcoming in future announcements.

It Takes A Village

Volunteers are needed to help with various aspects of Synod.  The tasks will be minimal, and you can do as little or as much as you desire. If you would like to volunteer, email your phone number to Synod Planning Committee: eccsynod@gmail.com    Examples of needs: Registration table at hotel; Liturgy set up; Music leader and singers; Workshop room monitor; technology assistance.