New voices joined those of the diocese's bishops in sounding messages of challenge and hope to the 500 lay delegates and clergy members who gathered for the Diocese of Massachusetts 213th convention Nov. 6-7 at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston.

Delegates considered numerous social justice concerns: children's rights, biotechnology, ecumenical prayer, poverty and a living wage for workers.

Convention overwhelmingly passed a six-part resolution in response to the Lambeth sexuality resolution. The diocesan resolution underwent several amendments, but in the end retained its sponsors' intent to make a theological affirmation that "God calls some homosexual people to live together in committed relationships and that the church can and does appropriately bless such unions, and that God calls some homosexual people in such relationships to ordained ministry and that the church can and does appropriately ordain them."

The resolution, submitted by nearly 40 lay delegates and clergy members, also affirms elements of the Lambeth resolution upholding marriage, making a commitment to listen to the experiences of homosexual people and condemning irrational fear of homosexuals.

World debt was the subject of a successful resolution from the diocese's Commission on Wider Mission. It urges study, and was amended to include the diocese's consideration of funding international development programs at a level of at least .7 percent of its annual income.

A Peace and Justice Commission resolution urging action on behalf of children and families soon to be affected by the two-year welfare limit imposed by the Massachusetts legislature was passed with no opposition.

The proposed $5.4 million budget for 1999 - balanced and reflecting an overall increase of 11 percent over 1998's budget - was approved.

In his annual address, the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE, Bishop of Massachusetts, spoke of Christian mission that is truest and most effective when it comes from a place of vulnerability.

"Vulnerability is what our mission as a diocese is all about," he said. "It defined our common work as a community and parishes and chaplaincies. It's what forms our programs and builds our budget. It really is the vulnerable heart of Jesus in each of you that is the touchstone of the focus of the mission of our diocese."