The Diocese of Central Florida entered 1995 with two thriving new mission churches, all diocesan bills paid, diocesan loans paid off and 1994 expenses $64,445 under budget.

This was announced by the Rt. Rev. John. W. Howe, diocesan bishop, at the 26th diocesan convention Jan. 27 in an Orlando hotel. Delegates approved a 1995 budget of more than $1.7 million, 2.5 percent less than the 1994 budget, and a resolution creating the position of assistant bishop.

Bishop Howe said his new assistant bishop's duties will include facilitating Hispanic ministry throughout the 15 counties of Central Florida. He and his assistant, Bishop Howe said, will be able to assure an episcopal visit to each parish annually.

National church and General Convention assessments are budgeted at $201,000, the same as in 1994, a figure within the covenant range established by General Convention. Some parishes, despite appeals from Bishop Howe, have asked that their contributions to the diocese not be shared with the national church. Delegates rejected a resolution to cut budgeted diocesan contributions to the national church to 12.4 percent of unrestricted congregational receipts.

Referring to an earlier request for prayer and fasting to resolve financial challenges, Bishop Howe said the diocese is now financially in the black, having paid off a mortgage on Diocesan House and repaid internal borrowing from special funds.

Theme for the gathering was "A Generation for Jesus." Preaching at the convention Eucharist at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Bishop Howe said the median age in the Episcopal Church rises year by year.

"By and large we have lost our kids," he said. "This is a tragic failure. The children God entrusts to us are our prime responsibility. We need to turn our commitment into dollars and service."

Members of diocesan youth groups testified to the value of youth ministry. Betsy Paulson, executive director of the Institute for Professional Youth Ministry in Orlando, was joined by Jon Davis, diocesan youth ministry officer, in urging that professional youth ministers be deployed in all parishes. Parishes without a significant youth membership may benefit most from professional youth ministry, they said.

New missions formally recognized were Shepherd of the Hills Church in Beverly Hills and Episcopal Church on the Square in Lady Lake.

A.E.P. WALL