The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, stressed evangelism during his address to the diocesan convention Jan. 31 at St. Luke's Cathedral, Orlando.

Bishop Howe said members of the diocese should invite, welcome, incorporate, evangelize, disciple and deploy newcomers, "not only as members of the body of Christ, but as members of our particular household of faith."

He said every rector and vicar should institute a program of intentional evangelism, which will begin by identifying persons in every congregation who are willing to be trained and equipped, then sent out to do evangelism.

The bishop also spoke of unity within the church, and said, "I believe we are perilously close to division." He said he feared that division and is "totally opposed to it - and infinitely more so over the past couple of months than previously. I want to do whatever I can to prevent division, not bring it about."

The convention completed its agenda in record time, and spent the largest amount of debate on whether a one-day or a two-day convention is more effective. Next year's convention will be two days.