Meet-and-Greet Facts, Answers, and Questions
Q: What are Meet-and-Greets?
A: Meet-and-Greets are a series of open meetings where you can meet and greet the candidates for our next bishop. You may know Meet-and-Greets by their former name, "walk-abouts." Meet-and-Greets are an opportunity to pray together, learn more about the churches in your local region, and hear the candidates answer questions.
Q: Where are they being held?
A: We will have three Meet-and-Greets throughout the diocese during the first week in November. The Schedule for Meet and Greets are as follows:
- Tuesday, November 4th at All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Irving St., Worcester
- Wednesday, November 5th at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 67 East St., Pittsfield
- Thursday, November 6th at Christ Church Cathedral, 35 Chestnut St., Springfield
Each Meet-and-Greet will begin promptly at 6pm. There will be an informal reception where individuals, especially lay delegates, may greet the candidates, at 5:30pm.
Q: What can I expect during the evening?
A: The Meet-and-Greet will begin promptly at 6pm with prayer. However, at 5:30pm we will have a casual reception especially for lay delegates. Clergy will have the opportunity to meet the candidates at separate events in each corridor, invitations to which will go out soon. At the reception, lay delegates will have an opportunity to meet each of the candidates. Starting promptly at 6pm, we will gather in the sanctuary for prayer and a video about the churches in the region. Then, we will break out into assigned rooms where one candidate will come in at a time and answer questions. Each candidate will rotate through all of the rooms. The evening will end with prayer around 8:15pm.
Q: I have a question for the candidates; how do I submit my question?
A: You are invited to submit a question between now and midnight on October 26th. While we will do our best to get as many questions answered as possible, we may combine similar questions. No questions will be asked "from the floor.”
Q: Where should I park?
A: Parking will be limited at all three locations, and we strongly encourage carpooling. If you choose to drive, please reference the parking map for your preferred Meet-and-Greet location.
Q: Which Meet-and-Greet sessions will have interpreters?
A: We will offer simultaneous Spanish interpretation, provided through headsets, as well as ASL interpretation at the Meet-and-Greet at Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield on Thursday November 6th. If you are unable to come to the Cathedral on Thursday, the Worcester Meet-and-Greet will be professionally recorded with closed captioning in Spanish and English. The recording will be made available for your viewing on the diocesan website a few days after the Meet-and-Greets.
Q: I have mobility concerns. Are the Meet-and-Greets all on one floor?
A: While some rooms may be on a different floor at any given site, there will be rooms available that do not require the use of stairs. There will also be people available to assist with mobility concerns.
Q: I am not able to make it to the physical Meet-and-Greet. Will they be streamed?
A: There will be live streaming on November 5th at the St. Stephen’s, Pittsfield Meet-and-Greet site. This YouTube link will give you access to that live streaming event beginning at 6:00pm.
Q: Do I need to be a convention delegate to attend a Meet-and-Greet?
A: No, you do not need to be a delegate to attend a Meet-and-Greet. All members of our diocese are encouraged to attend to meet and to learn about the candidates for bishop.
Q: I am not a convention delegate. I do not have a vote. Why would I want to attend a Meet-and-Greet?
A: The Meet-and-Greet process affords all people in our diocese an opportunity to get to know the candidates for our next bishop. While non-delegates may not have a vote, their voices and opinions are an essential part of the process of electing a new bishop. Delegates are meant to be representatives of the people in our diocese. Informed non-delegates are in a position to enhance the understanding of delegates who will vote.
Q: I am not a convention delegate. To whom should I give my feedback regarding any specific candidate, so that I know my concerns are being addressed?
A: Every parish in our diocese has delegates from the clergy and the laity who are elected by the parish and granted voice and vote at the electing convention. You may talk to your parish priest and/or the delegates who were elected at your parish annual meeting earlier this year.
Q: I have kids. Will childcare be provided?
A: While there may not be childcare provided at each site, arrangements are being made to accommodate those who may require childcare. Use this form to state your childcare needs and an email will be sent to you detailing available accommodations.
Q: I am a church leader, and I would like to share this information at my church. Do you have a written announcement that has everything in the same place?
A: Yes, here is a link to a written announcement for you to use at your church.
