SCHEDULE OF THE DAY
- What time will the electing convention begin? Doors open at 7:30 am. Call to order is at 9:30 am with a welcome, Morning Prayer, introductions, etc. The first ballot will not happen until 10:00 am at the earliest.
- How early can I arrive? The nave doors at Saint Mark’s will open at 7:30 am.
- What time will lunch be served? Lunch will be served around noon.
- What time will the electing convention be over? The electing convention will last as long as it takes for an election to occur. This may take numerous ballots lasting into the afternoon.
- What happens if I am not able to arrive by 9:30 am? If you are running late, you can still attend. If you arrive after 9:30, you may miss important instructions, but you are still able to vote.
- What happens if I am not able to arrive by 10:00 am? If you arrive after 10:00 am, you will likely miss the first ballot, but you are still able to vote on subsequent ballots.
- What happens if I do not arrive in time for the first ballot? You are able to vote on subsequent ballots, even if you miss the first ballot.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
- What does the day look like? The agenda overview is posted here.
PARKING AND DIRECTIONS
- What is Saint Mark’s address? 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
- Is there enough parking onsite at Saint Mark’s? Parking onsite at Saint Mark’s is limited. We ask that the onsite parking be reserved for those convention members who may have mobility limitations or who are unable to walk long distances. Because of limited parking, we suggest you consider using public transportation or carpooling with others.
- Where is offsite parking available? There are 75 parking spots available in the parking garage at Seattle Preparatory School (2400 11th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102), located about ¾ of a mile north of Saint Mark’s (click here for a Google map from Seattle Preparatory to Saint Mark’s). Please note, the walk from Seattle Preparatory School to Saint Mark’s is uphill the whole way and takes about 20 minutes. There is also a bus that you can take (bus #49, pickup at 10th Ave E & Miller St, and it drops you off right in front of Saint Mark’s). Please note, there will not be parking available at Diocesan House, and please also note that the parking along 10th Ave E and the streets in the neighborhood beyond are limited to 2 hours max (paid street parking is not available).
- Is paid street parking available? No, paid street parking is not available. The parking along 10th Ave E and the streets in the neighborhood beyond are Zone parking, or limited to no more than 2 hours. If you park there without the proper Zone tag beyond 2 hours, you will likely be ticketed.
- Is parking available at Diocesan House? No, parking is not available at Diocesan House.
- Will there be any reserved parking available? No, all available parking at Saint Mark’s is available first come, first served.
- What public transportation options are there? Saint Mark’s is accessible via the #49 bus (the stop is right in front of Saint Mark’s). The Capitol Hill light rail stop is 1 mile south of Saint Mark’s, and is about a 20 minute walk (mostly flat). Click here for a Google map from Capitol Hill light rail station to Saint Mark’s.
- Can I take Light Rail to Saint Mark’s? The Capitol Hill light rail station is about 1 mile south of Saint Mark’s, and is about a 20-minute walk. Click here for a Google map from Capitol Hill light rail station to Saint Mark’s.
- Can I take the city bus to Saint Mark’s? The #49 bus stops right in front of Saint Mark’s.
- Is anyone organizing carpools? No, but convention members or congregations are encouraged to organize their own carpools or take public transportation.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
- Will there be food available at the electing convention? Yes, we will have breakfast/snack items available starting at 7:30 am (breakfast bars, fruit) along with coffee, tea, and water. We will also serve boxed lunches around noon.
- Will lunch be offered? Yes, we will serve boxed lunches around noon.
- What types of boxed lunches will there be? There will be sandwiches and salads. Vegan and gluten free options will be available. You may provide dietary options through the registration form.
- Do I need to bring my own lunch? You do not need to bring your own lunch, we will have lunch available, including vegan and gluten free options.
CHILDCARE
- Will childcare be available? This will be communicated at a later time. If you are interested in childcare, please identify that when you register for the electing convention. A decision will be made after everyone has registered and communication shared at a later date.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Where do I enter at Saint Mark’s for the electing convention? All convention members should enter through the front doors facing 10th Ave East and register to receive your credentials and documentation for the convention.
- Will hotels be available? A list of potential hotels with proximity to light rail is posted here.
- If I choose to stay in a hotel to make sure I arrive on time, is there financial subsidy available? If you choose to stay in a hotel on Friday night to make sure you arrive early on Saturday, that is your decision. Financial subsidy is potentially available in specific situations: 1) if you are traveling farther than 75 miles, 2) if you have to use a mode of transportation other than an automobile, 3) your congregation does not have a budget to provide travel expense reimbursement.
- If I am staying in a hotel, and I am potentially eligible for financial subsidy, how can I request the assistance? If you would like to apply for financial subsidy, please email bishoptransition@ecww.org with subject Financial Subsidy for Travel, and let them know your situation.
- Will there be any transportation shuttles available? No, there will not be any shuttles available. Each convention member is responsible for their own transportation.
- If I choose to stay in a hotel, are there any hotels that you suggest? If you choose to stay in a hotel on Friday night, there are a list of hotels posted here. A couple are accessible near the Light Rail stations.
- Will there be blocks of rooms available? No, there will not be blocks of hotel rooms available.
- Once I register onsite and receive my credentials, am I allowed to leave Saint Mark’s and then return again? Yes, if you have your credentials with you, you will be able to leave Saint Mark’s and come back as needed. You will not be allowed to enter the convention floor without your credentials. Please note that you are also responsible for your voting device, to keep it with you, and keep it safe. Lost devices incur a cost and will not be replaced.
- Where at Saint Mark’s is the electing convention taking place? The electing convention will happen in the nave of Saint Mark’s. Entry and exit should happen through the narthex and the doors facing 10th Ave E.
- What are the accessibility options for Saint Mark’s? There is a ramp in the southwest corner of the front porch of the cathedral, facing 10th Ave E. There is also an elevator available at the Hoerster Annex office doors that goes to the nave (level 5). There will be a seating section in the nave made available for people with walkers, scooters, and wheelchairs.
- Are masks required at Saint Mark’s? No, masks are not required at Saint Mark’s.
- Will there be a distanced-seating section available? There will be a limited distanced-seating section available. If you need to sit in the distanced-seating section, please indicate this in your registration form when you register.
- If I am sick the day of the convention, am I able to vote remotely by participating through the livestream? No, only those convention members who attend in person will be allowed to vote.
- Who is allowed to attend the electing convention in person? Only registered convention members and clergy will be permitted to attend the electing convention in person. Anyone else who tries to attend will be turned away. If you are not a registered convention member or eligible voting clergy, you are invited to watch the electing convention via the livestream (saintmarks.org/livestream).
- Where can I watch the electing convention livestream? You can watch the electing convention livestream at saintmarks.org/livestream.
I have a question that is not listed here. Where can I find more answers? If you have a question that is not covered here, please email bishoptransition@ecww.org and they will help.