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	Bishop Dean Wolfe calls on delegates to the 148th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas to strive for deep spirituality, in remarks made during his annual address.

Diocesan convention concludes business in a spirit of unity

MDG resolution is adopted

By Melodie Woerman
Diocesan director of communications

Bishop Dean E. Wolfe challenged the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas to engage in deeper levels of commitment and spirituality during the 148th annual convention of the diocese. The meeting took place Oct. 19-20 in Topeka, Kan., with the theme “Casting into deep waters,” based on Luke 5:4.

“Let’s not do anything small,” he said in his convention address. “Let’s not cast into shallow water with weak casts and thin nets, expecting no fish. Let us put out into the deep water, because the deeper you go, the more dense, the more intense, the more substantive you will find this faith to be. The deeper you go in the circle of faith, the closer you will find yourself to everyone else. We are a people called to go to the depths, to deep spirituality. At the core of who we are, at the very center of everything we do, is our abiding faith in the amazing grace of God.”

The full text of his address can be read here.

The only debatable resolution offered was in support of the Millennium Development Goals, and it was adopted without any dissenting votes. The measure pledged the diocese to financial support of the MDGs, with $6,000 – or 0.35 percent – included in the 2008 budget. The full 0.7 percent contribution will be met in the 2009 diocesan budget, according to the resolution. The measure also calls on every parish to learn more about the eight-prong effort to end extreme hunger and poverty, and urges parishes and individual members to contribute to MDG-related causes.

The MDG resolution can be read here.

Special presentations highlighted ministry with youth and college students, and two videos described the trip to Kenya by 20 members of the diocese this summer (including Bishop Wolfe) and the continuing efforts to build relationships with that east African nation. St. David’s, Topeka, whose church building was destroyed last November by an arson fire, offered a video thank-you to the diocese for its support. Convention also said good-bye to St. Philip’s, Topeka, which is closing Nov. 18 after 45 years of ministry.

The convention had a special emphasis on congregational development, and delegates attended workshops that focused on evangelism, welcoming newcomers, church growth, parish stewardship and expanding worship through liturgical arts. They also heard from keynote speaker the Rev. Tex Sample, who noted that Christians are shaped by the practices they perform.

Delegates hold up ballots cast during diocesan convention.

Convention delegates also elected members of the Council of Trustees and deputies to the 2009 General Convention, along with representatives to the 2008 Synod meeting of Province 7. Multiple color-coded ballots were required, with more than 20 nominees for General Convention and two full and two unexpired terms on the Council of Trustees up for election.

Election results are posted here.

The diocese without dissent adopted a budget for 2008 of $1,797,338 that includes an innovative grants program to help parishes reach out to students on campuses at colleges, universities and community colleges across the diocese.

Annual awards given during convention honored service by members of the diocese in the past year.

The Deacon’s Cross Award was given posthumously to Archdeacon Jim Upton, who died of cancer in June. His widow, Mary, and her family accepted the silver cross and chain in his memory.

The Canon’s Award plaque for exemplary service by a priest went to the Rev. Kelley Lackey of St. Andrew’s, Emporia.

The Bishop’s Chair Award, a custom-made rocking chair given to a lay person, went to Mike Morrow, outgoing president of the Council of Trustees.