"Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

"I will with God's help."

Beginning with this baptismal promise, almost 100 persons gathered for the Province 3 synod June 13-15, in Hagerstown, Md. Participants took part in several training sessions and social activities with the members of the provincial commission on ministry that met June 14-15.

The Rt. Rev. Robert D. Rowley, Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania and president of the province, preached at the opening Eucharist. He challenged each participant to consider four things about faith: to be obedient to God's ways; to discern together God's will, even if amid disagreements; to serve, to reach out to the marginalized and bring them into the family of God and his church; and to live out the baptismal covenant.

Following the opening Eucharist, attendees participated in a variety of workshops. In the business meeting, Bishop Rowley was re-elected president, and Ruby Van Croft of the Diocese of Washington was elected vice-president. The Rev. Edward E. Godden, rector of Immanuel on the Green, New Castle, Del., was elected to the national church's Executive Council. Carlyle Gravely, Diocese of Southern Virginia, was elected secretary, John McCarthy, Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, treasurer, and 12 members (three bishops, five presbyters and four lay persons) to the court of review. The bishops and deputies also approved the budget and associated diocesan assessments to support the work of the province in 2000.

The gathered representatives heard reports on the activities of the various "networks" through which most of the business and program activities of the province are carried out. Reports were received from the Ministry Lab; the Environmental/Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Network; the Higher Education Network; the Christian Education Network; the Youth Ministry Network.

John Vanderstar from the Diocese of Washington and a member of the Program, Budget and Finance Commission of the national church, reported on the beginning of active work on the proposed budget for 2000-2003. Similarly, the Rev. John Kitagawa, from the Diocese of Maryland and chair of the Church Structure Commission, asked for input as that body begins a review of the function of the nine provinces of the church, looking at how they do ministry and how they can do ministry better.