The Rt. Rev. Chilton A. R. Knudsen, Bishop of Maine, challenged her diocese to plant four new congregations when she addressed diocesan convention Nov. 11 in Portland.

Bishop's Kundsen's remarks were prefaced by praise for another new church start in the diocese.

"How wonderful to think of planting, developing and nurturing a new worship community at the eastern end of the Portland peninsula," she said. "That work continues."

The planting of four new congregations should occur before she retires, said Bishop Knudsen.

Concurrent with a new sense of enthusiasm for church planting, convention also looked to the needs of its clergy by continuing to move toward making salaries and conditions more equitable with other dioceses.

Among resolutions passed were those granting higher minimum salaries, housing allowances, parental leave, continuing education and wellness support for the families of clergy.