A closing Eucharist complete with drama, music and soaring kites, and spirited debate on the budget marked the Diocese of West Tennessee's convention. Three East Shelby County churches served as hosts for the event, Oct. 21-22.

Convention began with the opening Eucharist, which included the bishop's address on the state of the diocese. The Rt. Rev. James Coleman highlighted the number and breadth of ministries to meet the needs of the world and called participants to new ministries in the coming year.

The bishop identified four goals for 1996: to continue to work toward the renewal and revitalization of congregations; to plant new congregations in Madison/Gibson counties and in Hardin County; to re-establish the Commission on Racism; and to establish a long-range planning committee to craft a vision for the diocese to enter the new millennium.

The bishop's address also included a message of love for one another, which was quickly put to the test in open discussions of the 1996 diocesan budget. Concern was expressed over giving to the national church in light of financial improprieties discovered last spring. Finance committee chair James McGehee pointed out that the budgeted giving of $132,428 exceeded the proscribed formula by roughly $2,000. The Rev. Carver Israel spoke of the need to support the national church. "We must have faith in our national church," he said, and the convention responded with loud applause.

The Rev. Reynolds Cheney, rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, Memphis, and elected member of the Episcopal Church's 40-member Executive Council, described the many changes in operations and internal controls established to safeguard funds.

The talents of the drama group, Friends of the Groom, lifted the spirits of delegates throughout the convention.