The Rt. Rev. Edward W. Jones, Bishop of Indianapolis, greeted members of the Association of Diocesan Liturgy and Music Commissions to its convention in Indianapolis Nov. 11-15. Bishop Jones also officiated at the opening liturgy.

Conference speakers included Susan J. White, professor of spiritual resources and discipline at Brine Divinity School, Texas Christian University; the Rev. Bruce W. Jenneker, a member of the Standing Liturgical Commission; the Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints' Church, Pasadena, Calif.; William B. Roberts, former chairman of the Standing Commission on Church Music; and the Rev. Clayton L. Morris, program coordinator for liturgy and music at the Episcopal Church Center.

Workshop leaders included the Rev. Joe G. Burnett, rector of Trinity Church, Hattiesburg, Miss.; Marilyn Keiser, professor of music at Indiana University; Tom Long and members of the drama group Friends of the Groom, Fr. Morris and Mr. Roberts.

The conference theme was "The Renewal of the Liturgy: Shaping Worship for the Next Century." Participants were encouraged, in the small-group discussions which followed several of the presentations, to visualize the needs of the church. Although there was general agreement of the need for greater flexibility in terms of authorized rites, whether a new hardcover book would be authorized in the near future remains an open question.

Among the resolutions passed was one calling for amendment to the canon authorizing the use of lay eucharistic ministers, to eliminate the requirement that they function only in the absence of sufficient priests and deacons. Another called for the proposed Standing Commission on Common Worship to have at least eight persons skilled in church music and a similar number in liturgies.

Of greater interest to participants was a resolution opposing the practice of calling for pro forma resignations of all staff members when a new rector takes office. It was pointed out that this is unfair to many lay professionals and contrary to a spirit of collegiality.

The annual ADLMC Award was made to Ms. Keiser, honoring her years of service in church music, particularly her concerns to make the best possible uses of limited resources in small churches.

At the conclusion of the conference, the president, the Rev. Elizabeth Morris Downie, was succeeded by the Rev. Ernesto Medina, of the Cathedral of St. Paul, Los Angeles, and the Rev. Thomas K. McCart, rector of St. Mark's, Upland, Calif., was named president-elect.

The 1997 conference will be held in Providence, R.I.