Convention enjoyed special workshops presented by the Rev. Dr. James Lemler, director of mission for the Episcopal Church, and David Kaczinsky, director of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty.

This convention was the last one for diocesan Bishop Jack McKelvey. After eight years of service in Rochester, and 16 as a bishop, McKelvey will retire this coming spring. His address took the form of a video presentation that celebrated many of the people, places and ministries of the past eight years.

McKelvey summed up the video saying that there was no way to count all the people whom he needed to thank. "This diocese has responded to a call to build congregational vitality beyond my imaginings," he said. "You have done remarkable, spirit-filled work.  I'm grateful to have been your bishop during this time." 

Convention passed five resolutions, including ones:

• urging that the diocese develop a plan for, and engage in, anti-racism training;
• urging the U.S. Government to cease preparations for hostile action against Iran and use diplomacy to resolve disputes;
• submitting to the 76th General Convention a resolution affirming that standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction are not bound by any extra-canonical restraints -- including but not limited to the restraints set forth in Resolution B033 passed by the 75th General Convention -- when considering consents to the ordination of any candidate to the episcopate.

Two resolutions were presented by the youth at convention. The first asked the diocese to request that the state of New York change the legal voting age in churches to 16, in accordance with the canons of the church. Currently New York law requires a person to be 18 years old to vote in church. The young people also presented a resolution encouraging support for Millennium Development Goals.

Convention material may be found here.

The Rochester diocese serves eight counties in the Finger Lakes region of New York in 52 congregations and seven chapels and a membership of 13,000.