The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast celebrated its convention at St. John's, in Monroeville, Ala., Feb. 4-6. This was the first time in diocesan history that a "small congregation" in a "small community" had been host to the convention by itself. Meetings were held at Alabama Southern Community College. The Rev. Hugh Magers, evangelism officer at the Episcopal Church Center, was the convention speaker and presented two workshops on "Evangelism, Church Growth, Church Development: How Timid, Shy Episcopalians." The convention had in three other workshops: "The Church as Ambassadors of Racial Reconciliation," "Episcopal Lutheran Dialogue Continued," and "Adult Christian Education: Theology, Models, Levels & Curriculum."

A $1.7 million budget was adopted for 1999, a more than 6 percent increase over 1998.