An unexpected and unwelcome visitor named Irene showed up for the 30th annual convention of the Diocese of Southeast Florida at St. Andrew's School, Boca Raton, adding a sense of adventure but subtracting some scheduled events, including the convention banquet.

By the time weather reports made it clear that hurricane force winds and torrential rain were headed directly for Florida's east coast on Friday, Oct. 15, most of the delegates had already arrived or were on the road, so there was no question of postponing the convention. Instead, the schedule was compressed, eliminating the education-themed workshops scheduled for Friday afternoon and allowing the convention's business to be completed in one day. Bishop Calvin O. Schofield, Jr., urged all delegates and visitors to spend the night in Boca Raton rather than trying to travel on flooded roads, adding that his discretionary fund would pay for hotel accommodations for those who had not planned to stay.

Despite the ominous shrieking of the wind outside the gymnasium at St. Andrew's, the mood of the convention was positive and energetic, though delegates were reminded of one somber concern when Bishop Schofield asked for prayers for Deacon Miriam Pratt, missing since Sept. 28 [TLC, Oct. 31]. Many wore yellow ribbons distributed by Deacon Pratt's parish, Church of the Ascension, Miami, symbolizing hope and support for the deacon and her family.

The report of the State of the Church Committee urged emphasis on church growth. Committee co-chair John Cox spoke of an overall 15 percent decline in membership since the birth of the diocese in 1969, warning, "Fewer members means fewer hands to supply the time, talent and treasure necessary not only to keep our own door open, but to minister to an increasingly needy world."

The delegates quickly approved a $2.4 million budget for 2000. This year, for the first time, the budget is organized according to the anticipated expenses of the five areas of emphasis identified in the Diocesan Plan and organized as ministries under the new diocesan structure - Administration, Communications, Education, Growth and Evangelism, and Human Needs.

By the time of the corporate service, held across the campus at the Chapel of St. Andrew, the electricity was off. Auxiliary generators supplied lights, and with bagpipers leading the procession and music provided by piano, guitar, flutes and handbells, the absence of the organ went almost unnoticed.