Church of the Advent, the well-known Boston parish, was reclassified as a mission church by a special convention of the Diocese of Massachusetts March 23 at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. The convention was called by the bishop and standing committee after the church's former governing body, the corporation, failed to comply with godly judgments of the bishops of Massachusetts.

The Parish of the Advent has historically been governed by a self-perpetuating independent corporation. The diocesan convention voted last November to adopt an amendment to a diocesan canon, providing that members of a congregation shall duly elect their officers and vestry, thus ensuring representational leadership. Advent's corporation then voted to amend its constitution to remove the provision requiring conformity to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church.

Following a godly judgment issued by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Shaw, S.S.J.E., Bishop of Massachusetts, directing that the corporation withdraw that vote and institute a form of parish governance consistent with the canons, the corporation instead voted to withdraw the church from the Diocese of Massachusetts and the Episcopal Church. Meanwhile, Advent's communicants met March 3 and elected a new vestry and wardens, and by a vote of 198 to 11, affirmed their desire to remain a part of the church and diocese, and asked the bishop and standing committee to place the parish under the bishop's supervision as a mission.

Bishop Shaw, in his opening remarks, referred to the church's canons as "tools for discernment," saying, "The canons of the church and the diocese make it possible for all of us clearly to perceive the movement of the Holy Spirit. They assist us in bringing to bear the reality of the living word of God in scripture.

"There are many members here of the congregation of the parish of the Advent, men, women and children, clergy and lay, who have petitioned the standing committee and me in overwhelming numbers to assure them that they are full members of the body of Christ."

More than 100 members of Advent were present for the convention. The Rev. Andrew Mead, formerly rector, now vicar, thanked convention for its support.