The Diocese of North Dakota held its annual convention in Jamestown, Oct. 2-4, with the theme, "Sing to the Lord with grace in your hearts" (Col. 3:16). Interspersed betweem business sessions were presentations on mission and worship by the Rev. Greg Brewer, rector of Good Samaritan Church in Paoli, Pa.

Of major interest were three resolutions. One called for new goals and strategies proposed by the mission strategy committee for adoption by the convention. In the original text, Goal 1 stated "each congregation will identify human needs in the larger community and be involved in outreach ministries," and Goal 4 stated that "Through Bible study, prayer and sharing, we will strive to discern God's will for us and come to a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Jesus." Controversy arose when an amendment from the floor called for reversing these goals so that "Bible study, prayer and sharing" would move to first place. The Rt. Rev. Andrew Fairfield, Bishop of North Dakota, resolved the issue by casting a vote breaking a convention tie in favor of making "Bible study, prayer and sharing" Goal 1.

Another resolution called upon the diocese to reduce its General Convention delegation from eight people (four clergy and four lay deputies) to six persons (three clergy and three lay persons). Though motivated by financial reasons, this resolution was defeated.

Controversy erupted again when St. John's Church, Dickinson, a small congregation with no ordained persons, proposed a resolution calling upon the diocese to support a change in national canons that would permit lay presidency at the Eucharist. A modified resolution asked that "... mechanisms for providing regular sharing of the Holy Eucharist in congregations without a resident priest, including the possibilities of lay presidency of the Eucharist or the administration of the reserved sacrament by a duly licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister ..." be discussed. The resolution passed and will be forwarded to the national church and to the diocesan commission on ministry for study.

The convention adopted a diocesan budget of $529,235 and a separate program budget of $121,147 for the North Dakota Council of Indian Ministries.

(The Rev.) Charles S. Cherry