Dear delegates and alternates

Since the LCA Convention of General Synod is now less than three months away, we will be sending you more frequent communications. Please keep an eye on your LCA inbox for updates.

Confirmation of attendance

You know things are getting serious when you receive your invitation to confirm your attendance at the in-person sessions of the LCA General Synod. This was sent to you at your LCA email address last week. If you haven't seen that notification in your inbox, check your junk mail or contact us at synod@lca.org.au   For catering and other purposes, please confirm your attendance no later than 23 January 2023. 

COVID
We are monitoring the COVID situation in Melbourne and elsewhere. At this stage, there are no changes to our plans for the in-person sessions. We will of course advise you if we need to make alternative arrangements. If you feel uncomfortable about attending Convention in the current COVID environment, you are advised to have an alternate ready to attend at short notice if you are unable or unwilling to attend as the elected delegate. Note that alternates must be duly appointed by your parish and their attendance must be confirmed in our Synod online system. 

'Town halls' on ordination

We will be running three ‘town hall’ online sessions on the ordination proposals to allow you to ask questions and engage in the discussion. Each session will run for up to two hours and is a repeat, so you only need to attend one – and it is strongly recommended that you do so.

• Wednesday 30 November at 5.30pm (ACDT) – login from 5.15pm
• Saturday 3 December at 10.00am (ACDT) – login from 9.45am
• Wednesday 7 December at 5.30pm (ACDT) – login from 5.15pm

These sessions will be open to the wider church to view, but only delegates and alternates will be able to engage in the conversations. We will email to you more documentation on the ordination issue prior to the first 'town hall' session (30 November).

You register for a 'town hall' session via the Synod 'confirmation of attendance' process (refer to the email sent to you last week). You will need to register for your preferred 'town hall' session at least a week in advance of the scheduled date.

Travel and accommodation

It is time to make your travel and accommodation arrangements.

Flights
With respect to your inbound flight, check-in at Convention will be open from 4.30pm on Thursday 9 February. Allow at least an hour for transfers to your city-based accommodation or the MCEC.
We suggest that your return flight be no earlier than 3.00pm on Sunday 12 February.
Pastor delegates, you are encouraged to book your flights through our LCA travel provider, FCM (details on the LCA website Business Partners page).

Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation styles and prices within easy commuting distance of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. We have a number of options on the Synod website's Travel and Accommodation page. We strongly recommend that you do not drive into the Melbourne CBD, as parking is very expensive.

Keeping in touch

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the in-person sessions of the 20th Convention of General Synod. Continue to watch the Convention website for updates.

And, of course, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions.

Sincerely in Christ
Dr Nigel Long
Secretary of the Church