The Rt. Rev. Michael W. Creighton, Bishop of Central Pennsylvania, emphasized his hope to increase the number of churches and the number of parishioners when he addressed his diocesan convention June 12 in Lewisburg.

"It has been 13 years since we planted a mission congregation in this diocese," Bishop Creighton said. "It is my dream and desire that we begin a congregation every three years."

Bishop Creighton said there are enough spots in the diocese where population is increasing to warrant considering building new churches.

Strengthening existing congregations also was on the bishop's agenda. He proposed the idea of developing companion congregation relationships throughout the diocese. If a priest, vestry and congregation were interested in a companion, they would make it known to the diocese. The diocese, in turn, would act as a "dating service" to pair those congregations seeking partners.

"We have companion dioceses, why not companion congregations?" he asked. "It could mean a three-year covenant between two congregations to be closer partners in Christ."

The Rev. John H. Westerhoff, author and lecturer, was keynote speaker at the convention and preacher at the Eucharist. He also led a workshop on the baptismal community that was followed by small-group discussion.