The Rt. Rev. George Hunt, Bishop of Rhode Island, presided at diocesan convention for the last time when it met Nov. 11-12. Bishop Hunt is retiring at the end of the year, then will go to Hawaii to become interim bishop of that diocese for a period of six to 12 months.

In his convention address, Bishop Hunt recalled the statement of vision he made at the beginning of his episcopate in 1979, and mentioned some of the responses to that vision, including food closets in many parishes, meal sites staffed by nearly half the congregations, the success of Episcopal charities, distribution of clothing, and the exemplary ministries of deacons.

"Can we dare dream that our congregational/diocesan possessiveness of 'our things,' our prerogatives, our buildings, our own individual ways of worship, will be put aside in favor of a wider accountability to the whole mission of Christ's Church?" Bishop Hunt asked.

He spoke of persons who have shared with him, "I didn't always agree with you, but I've always respected you," and added, "I hope that's a widely shared view, since uniformity has never been one of my goals. Rather, I've treasured this freedom to disagree as a sign of vigorous life in the part of the body of Christ."

Among resolutions passed, convention committed itself to combat racism, to establish a diocesan youth task force, and to reaffirm opposition to casino gambling.

The Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris, Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts, and the Rt. Rev. Julio Holguin, Bishop of the Dominican Republic, were speakers.