Worship in both traditional and contemporary styles, along with a debate about how the diocese will raise the money to fund its operation, highlighted the convention of the Diocese of Kansas Oct. 13-14 in Topeka.

One of the highlights of the otherwise ordinary proceedings was the official recognition of St. Margaret's, Lawrence, as an unincorporated parish of the diocese. The parish, which was organized in 1990, has been participating in diocesan events since that time, but in an unofficial capacity. Diocesan canons require new parishes to spend one year in unincorporated status before being recognized as an incorporated, or self-supporting, parish.

Another delegation with a special emphasis consisted of four members of the Kansas Episcopal Youth, who were selected at the recent senior high youth event to represent young people of the diocese at convention. They were seated in accordance with a diocesan canon providing for youth representation.

Before adjournment on Friday afternoon, the Rt. Rev. William Smalley, Bishop of Kansas, addressed the convention about a reorganization of diocesan structures and the need for the entire diocese to be involved in creating a new vision for the church in Kansas. Reflecting on work he did earlier this year while on sabbatical, Bishop Smalley listed 12 elements for the church of the future.

The convention then traveled to downtown Topeka for a choral Evensong at Grace Cathedral. Bishop Smalley was preacher at the service. In his sermon, he said God's call to faithfulness enables Christians to hear God's voice. However, negative behavior by people can block us from hearing what God is saying to us.

Saturday's events began with the convention Eucharist, which took place at the Kansas Expocentre, site of the meeting. Preacher for the service was the Ven. Helen Mountford, archdeacon for the northern portion of the diocese.

In her sermon, she said she was preaching from the deacon's responsibility to make known to the church the needs and concerns of the world. She spoke of her concern that the agenda of the so-called religious right will hurt people. "A balanced budget shouldn't happen at the expense of the least of us, the poor, children, the elderly and the sick," she said.

A resolution was adopted to re-establish the companion relationship between the dioceses of Kansas and Venezuela.

The longest debate of the day involved a proposed change to the canon dealing with apportionment. After substantial debate, the change was adopted which removes capital funds from the amount of income on which apportionment is figured.

Bishop Smalley also announced the appointment of Jacqueline Snyder as the first director of the new School for Ministry. She serves as dean of academic outreach at Wichita State University. Expenses of the school will be paid by a $90,000 anonymous gift which will be invested to provide an endowment for future operations.

A 1996 budget of just under $1.3 million was adopted.