Unlike the controversy found in recent conventions, the Diocese of Western North Carolina's convention Nov. 10-12 at Kanuga focused on spirituality, community and celebration.

"We're here to worship God, to get on with the ministry of this diocese, and to enjoy the life and fellowship we have with each other," said the Rt. Rev. Robert H. Johnson, diocesan bishop.

That sentiment was repeated by theologian Verna Dozier, who presented meditations and gave the homily at the Eucharist.

"We have made Christianity such an individual operation," she said. "The blasphemous cry of the first murderer was, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' The biblical God thundered, 'Yes, you are, and your brother or sister is every other human being created by God'."

David Mann, lay co-chairman of the Centennial Witness capital fund campaign, announced the campaign goal of $2.25 million had been reached, and that additional campaigns by parishes raised nearly $2 million for their individual needs.

Convention voted to ask parishes to increase their levels of giving to the diocese, using 16 percent of the parishes' net disposable income as a goal, and adopted a budget of nearly $1.06 million for 1995.