The 187th Annual Convention of the Diocese of North Carolina occurred in one fast-paced day on Saturday, February 1, at Christ Church in Raleigh. Rescheduled from the previous week due to the snow (Charlotte received 7 inches), convention had to be controlled and moved along quickly to complete the necessary diocesan business. While the condensation from two and one half days to one meant moving through the business with considerable dispatch, which was welcomed by many of those present, it also meant there was little time for collegiality. Also, the displays many groups had worked so hard to prepare could not be set up. The greatest loss was of the planned half-day work by many delegates on Habitat houses in Orange, Durham, and Wake counties. Of the $150,000 needed to meet the construction cost of the three homes, $100,000 has been raised and $50,000 is still needed.

It was a privilege for your lay delegates Joe Ferrell, Kim Sullivan, Peter DeSaix, Laurie Gosnell, Paul Carew (alternate for Robert Wright) and Bob Chase (alternate for Vivian Varner) to represent you. The entire clergy staff was present, including The Very Rev. Lisa Fischbeck, Orange County Missioner and Dean of the Durham Convocation.

News of the loss of the space shuttle Columbia came to us in the first few minutes, and the entire body of convention was stunned. We were immediately led by Bishop Curry in prayers for the astronauts and their families and for all those affected by the plant explosion in Kinston. These tragedies, along with the overwhelming concern about a possible war in Iraq permeated convention.

Most committee reports were accepted by title and will be printed in an upcoming issue of the "Communicant." Presented by the Special Commission on Missionary Strategy, which was created by action of the 185th Annual Diocesan Convention, A Plan for Missionary Strategy for the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina was accepted by convention. Creation of the Mission Implementation Team (MIT) to be appointed by the Bishop and approved by Diocesan Council was authorized. The MIT, whose first meeting was Monday, February 3, will develop action steps for implementing A Plan for Missionary Strategy but will not implement the action plan. Parishes and organizations throughout the diocese will do the implementation. The strategy is exciting and you will be hearing much more about it. It will be presented at special congregational meetings in each parish by Pentecost 2003. The bishops will meet with clergy and vestries of every parish in the diocese over the next two years, and there will be planned a Diocesan Eucharist in 2004 for everyone in the diocese to attend. Can you imagine the excitement of thousands of Episcopalians worshiping together as one family?

Bishop Curry’s pastoral address was stirring, as all his addresses are. The text is printed in the issue of the "Communicant" just published and I highly recommend that everyone read it.

A new parish, Prince of Peace in Apex, and a new mission, Grace Point in Raleigh, were voted into union with the diocese. A number of clergy new to the diocese were introduced.

The Eucharist was held at noon in the Church of the Good Shepherd just a few blocks from Christ Church, and what a magnificent service it was. The Convention Choir’s music was beautiful, as was that of St. Augustine’s Gospel Choir. Bishop Gloster’s address on the need for working as hard for peace as we do for war was eloquent.

The resolutions passed by convention will be printed in an upcoming "Communicant." A brief summary will give you a flavor of the resolutions:

On Building Peace—Congregations are urged to pray for peace, to conduct forums to examine causes of war and oppression and to work to ameliorate those conditions. Convention encourages the U. S. Government to refrain from unilateral decisions for war with Iraq. Convention informs the President that we feel that all diplomatic means have not been exhausted for a peaceful solution. Convention prays for and supports the right of all persons to express conscientious objection to war.

On Eliminating Substandard Housing—All parishes and missions are requested to work with their communities to accept Habitat for Humanity’s 21st Century Challenge to eliminate substandard housing.

On Encouraging a Mother’s Day Offering for Penick Village—Each congregation is encouraged to designate a special offering to benefit Penick Village.

On Working to End Racism—Convention committed itself to ending institutional and other forms of racism in the diocese and asks that each congregation commit to the work of overcoming the sin of racism. Lay and ordained leadership, including those elected or appointed to diocesan leadership positions, are required to take antiracism training.

On Stewardship of Water—Convention acknowledges water as a precious resource and that all congregations should be active stewards of their water resources through conservation efforts.

Convention approved the second reading of a revision to the Constitution that provides for every Evangelical Lutheran pastor who is regularly serving a parish or mission in union with Diocesan Convention to have a seat and vote in the convention.

The Chapel of the Cross is well represented on Diocesan committees and commissions. Those parishioners and clergy members include the following:
* Robert Wright - Diocesan Treasurer;
* Joe Ferrell - Commission on Constitution and Canons and Committee on the Dispatch of Business;
* The Very Rev. Lisa Fischbeck - Dean of the Durham Convocation, Committee on the Dispatch of Business, and Mission Strategy Implementation Team;
* Lonnie London-Historical Church Committee on St. Mary’s Chapel;
* Vivian Varner - Chartered Committee on Communications;
* Ted Vaden - Chartered Committee on Communications;
* Don Stedman - Chartered Committee on Ministry in Higher Education;
* Bob Chase - Chartered Committee on Ministry in Higher Education;
* The Rev. Martha Hart - secretary, Bishop’s Committee on the Diaconate;
* The Rev. Bill Joyner - chair, Bishop’s Committee on the Diaconate;
* The Rev. Tammy Lee - chair, Bishop’s Committee on Clergy Wellness;
* Fred Irons - Bishop’s Committee on Clergy Wellness;
* Syd Alexander - Standing Committee; and
* The Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams - president, Standing Committee.

Next year’s Convention will be January 29-31, in High Point. We will be back at the Sheraton Imperial Center in the Research Triangle Park in 2006, since convention reservations had to be cancelled this year.

Send items for inclusion in future "Cross Roads."
The deadline is the first Thursday of the preceeding month.

© 2003 The Chapel of the Cross