About 1,000 persons were present for the celebration of the Eucharist on the opening night in the auditorium of the university's School of Music. The Rev. Thomas Ward, chaplain of the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn., was the preacher.

The Rt. Rev. Robert Miller, Bishop of Alabama, in his report to convention, said that because the diocese has kept growing substantially, and because he expects to retire in four or five years, he requests a bishop coadjutor to be chosen to serve with him and to succeed him.

A method of seating delegates which was begun last year was used again. Each of the 500 clergy and lay delegates was assigned to one of the eight places around a table. Parish delegates were assigned different tables so they would not sit together. Before votes were taken, the eight persons at each table discussed the matter under review. Persons were able to address the convention from one of several microphones.

The Rev. Michael Schnatterly, injured New Year's Day by the explosion of a bomb left on the trunk of his car [TLC, Jan. 21] attended convention and was welcomed with applause.

On Friday evening, all 500 delegates were guests for dinner in the homes of Christ Church parishioners.

Bishop Furman Stough, formerly Bishop of Alabama and now assisting Bishop Miller, was honored by convention, having been consecrated 25 years ago. He was the celebrant and preacher at the closing Eucharist.

A budget of slightly more than $2 million was adopted, 22 percent of which is the diocesan commitment to the national church.

The convention of the (The Rev.) Emmet Gribbin