Delegates and clergy who met in the 140th annual convention of the Diocese of Kansas saw a variety of events unfold during the meeting Oct. 22-23 in Overland Park. The theme for the convention again this year was "The Ministry We Share," focusing on shared ministry through baptism.

Most delegates left convention struck by an hour-long presentation on the needs of persecuted Christians around the world, offered by the diocesan commission on world mission.

Many were moved by the story told by Victoria Ajang, a woman currently living in the Kansas City area who escaped from her native Sudan in 1995 to avoid slave raids. Ms. Ajang was separated from her husband as she escaped to freedom, and she has not heard from him since. She said while she is grateful to be safe in America, she longs for her native country. "I live in two worlds," she said. "I may be here in Kansas, but in my mind I dream about home."

Following Ms. Ajang's testimony, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas, who has been active in Congress in publicizing the plight of Christians in the Sudan, told delegates that he appreciated the fact that the Episcopal Church was exploring the issue.

Delegates made history when they elected the youngest deputy ever to represent the diocese at General Convention. Sarah Knoll of St. Philip's Church, Topeka, is 18. For the first time, balloting was conducted electronically. While it may have sped the counting of ballots, five ballots still were required to fill all positions.

A variety of resolutions and canonical and constitutional changes also were adopted. A resolution to allow a person to serve in only one diocesan elected position at a time was defeated, and a resolution affirming the Cambridge Accord supporting civil rights for homosexual persons was tabled.

During a series of debates on the $1.4 million proposed 2000 budget, delegates voted to cut about $48,000 from the proposed budget, while protecting the budgets of youth and college work. The council of trustees will determine final amounts for each line item with input from the four convocations.