The Diocese of Massachusetts approved a $4.8 million budget unanimously when its convention met Nov. 7-8 in St. Paul's Cathedral, Boston. The 6 percent increase means there will be funding for new ministries such as an Office of Lay Ministry and three part-time urban missioners. A computerized talent bank and a Leadership Development Institute are among other new ministry projects to be funded.

"We have tremendous resources among us that need to be utilized in ways that we have never imagined," said the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, S.S.J.E., Bishop of Massachusetts, of the talent bank. " ... we will for the first time have a way to identify, develop and distribute our talents across this diocese in such a way that all of our creativity will be brought to bear on the strengthening of our congregations and communities."

The convention amended the constitution of the diocese to provide voting rights to delegates from the Diocesan Youth Council and from affiliated university chaplaincies.

A number of resolutions on world peace, mission and welfare also were adopted.

The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris, Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts, preached on evangelism during the convention Eucharist. "It is amazing how the Holy Spirit can use our feeble efforts, our stammering tongues and our weak resolve to reach people with the good news of God's love in Christ," she said.