They are a small group of partners who believe there is a better way for the church to do its work.

They are members of Living Stones, a confederation of eight U.S. and Canadian dioceses which meet annually to share, challenge and stimulate each other in advancing ministry.

Some are motivated by the realization that there is a declining amount of money available to support the traditional model of a professional, seminary-trained priest in every congregation.

"The big news is that the (money) crunch is on now," said the Rev. Charles Wilson of CRW Management Services, consultant for Living Stones, at the annual meeting in February in Boulder City, Nev.

Other dioceses are motivated because - while not facing an immediate financial crunch - they believe a different approach to ministry comes "as part of our understanding of baptism," said the Rt. Rev. Arthur Peters, Bishop of Nova Scotia, Canada.

"It is the realization that we are all the great 'laos,' the people of Christ," said Jean Haldane, keynote speaker.

Living Stones was started to affirm all baptized people in their ministries, and to encourage "a wide variety of lay and ordained, paid and volunteer ministries," says the covenant agreed to by each member diocese. It also is designed to promote new "patterns of leadership and structures of ministry support" in each member diocese.

The project consultants work with diocesan leadership to strengthen programs in local congregations, Fr. Wilson said.

By encouraging all members of the church to take an active role in their parish and in their community, the church empowers them to live out their baptismal covenant, said the Rev. Jim Kelsey, regional missioner in the Diocese of Connecticut.

Member dioceses of Living Stones are trying several strategies - diocese-wide and regional - including use of yoked parishes, and use of regional trainers who provide theological, liturgical and pastoral education for church members, including those identified by their congregations for ordination.

The annual meeting includes a presentation from each diocese about its proposed ministry projects, such as regional training programs for local clergy, and then questions and responses from the other dioceses.

That helps provide "peer accountability and shared leadership," said Bill Craddock, director of the Cornerstone Project.

Cornerstone, the Episcopal Church Foundation and the Roanridge Trust all provided grants to fund the start of Living Stones two years ago.

Member dioceses are Kansas, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Northern Michigan, Nova Scotia and Qu'Appelle.

The Rev. Canon Tim Vann of Nebraska was re-elected to chair the board. Elected as vice chair was Sally Fairfield of North Dakota.