The annual convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande met in Albuquerque, N.M., Oct. 22-24. The Cathedral Church of St. John was host to the meeting with the Rt. Rev. Terence Kelshaw, Bishop of the Rio Grande, presiding.

No major resolutions were passed and no canonical changes made during the convocation's business meetings. A budget of $1.1 was adopted, a slight increase over 1999. Canon Bill Hollis, the bishop's executive, reported the completion of a comprehensive computer network system and training of the diocesan staff and management.

Bishop Kelshaw reported to the delegates the commencement of the diocese's endowment fund drive with a $15 million goal. Part of the fund will be used to reduce the fair share contribution to a long-term goal of 10 percent.

"The Diocese of the Rio Grande continues to experience healthy growth and we must continue to provide the deaneries and churches a lower fair share to allow for further decentralization and more funds available at church level to provide local programs," Bishop Kelshaw said. "We have reduced the current fair share to 14 percent, one of the lowest in the nation, while continuing to have larger overall dollars available because of both growth of congregations and increased giving on the part of parishioners. This is a very exciting period in the diocese and I believe that continuing this path will strengthen the diocese further and help us in fulfilling my millennium challenge of becoming 'a missionary people'."

The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Barham, Bishop of Cyangugu, Rwanda, was the keynote speaker at the convocation banquet. Bishop Barham told of his goals for his diocese and the present status of accomplishment. He further explained how to become a missionary people and his hopes for the Diocese of the Rio Grande to accomplish Bishop Kelshaw's charge.