The Diocese of Utah is engaged in a major expansion and it intends to employ the resources it needs to help it accomplish its objectives this year.

Clergy and lay deputies approved a budget of $6.5 million at a reconvened convention Jan. 20. The diocese has a substantial trust from which much of this revenue comes. In turn the diocese devotes a significant portion of that budget to outreach in the local community as well as the provincial and national church.

The amount presented to convention and approved by the standing committee includes $661,675 for community ministry and $1.8 million for parish support. The $1.8 million figure includes grants of $1.4 million, plus clergy health insurance and other miscellaneous items. Of the amount devoted to national/provincial support, $400,000 goes to the national church and $50,000 goes to Episcopal Relief and Development. Other program initiatives total $567,300.

Convention also passed a number of resolutions, including two affecting missionary strategy. One authorized formation of a permanent commission on evangelism. The other will be responsible for development of a strategic planning process.

For a major portion of the time delegates gathered in groups based on regions in order to consider the current mission statement of the diocese and to reflect on past progress as well as future goals.

Convention was also asked to contribute ideas about a proposed new building which would combine the offices of both the cathedral and the diocese. St. Mark's Cathedral in Salt Lake City and the diocese once shared office space, but staff eventually outgrew what was available. At that time, the diocesan offices were moved to another building nearby. Since then approximately one acre of land behind the cathedral has been purchased and cleared.

During convention, the Rt. Rev. Carolyn T. Irish, Bishop of Utah, spoke about the visit to Utah in May of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism. The diocese is sponsoring an interfaith service, and there are other speaking events scheduled.

Convention reconvened because it was unable to complete all of the business before it on Oct. 14.

Following convention, on Feb. 14, Bishop Irish announced her engagement to the Rev. Fred Quinn of Washington, D.C. The couple have not announced a wedding date.