During his annual address to council, he charged 540 delegates and guests to expand ministries involving the young, develop new leaders and new congregations, do more to protect the environment and step up their global mission work.

Alexander also asked for and received the council's approval to choose an assistant bishop to assist him in service to 95 congregations and nearly 55,000 Episcopalians in middle and north Georgia. The bishop also renewed his staunch commitment to The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion.

Acknowledging his concern about bishops who seem to be "working against the unity of the church and plotting its destruction," Alexander said: "I believe that as a bishop I have every right to my convictions, to argue my positions, to declare my loyalties, and when necessary to be difficult to live with. But I also have a solemn obligation to stay at the table, no matter how unpleasant the company, to live within the discipline of this church and to do everything in my power to build up the family of God, no matter how difficult that might be."

Alexander was critical of adhering to one side or the other, which he called polar thinking. "The problem with polar thinking is that it's always shallow thinking," he said. "Polar positions are always as weak as they are strong. The truth is we have a moral obligation to pursue both justice and unity…boldly, faithfully and tirelessly. Justice without care for the unity of the church will be selfish, shortsighted and shallow. Unity without justice is a sham, a shame and a sin."

Alexander said he wants to be "part of a church that refuses to take the easy way out. The Holy Spirit does the best work with us when we are bold and faithful enough to live deeply into the tension. And I believe we resolve the tension at the peril of our own souls."

Referring to parishes, bishops and dioceses that have sought to leave the Episcopal Church, he told the gathering: "I am not going anywhere, and neither are we. It is to the risen Lord and to this beloved church of ours that I shall be faithful. It's a little messy out there just now, but I am prepared to go and wallow around in that messiness to the glory of God and for the building up of this church. And unless and until you tell me differently, I'm going to assume you're coming along too…moving forward together in God's mission."

Alexander, who is in his seventh year as bishop of Atlanta, announced components of a new vision for the diocese after successfully meeting almost all of the strategic goals the diocese identified five years ago. To finish that work he will establish a task force to recommend within the next two years what the future will be for the diocese's thriving but aging camp and conference center in north Georgia.

"The first thing close to my heart is the ministry with children, youth and young adults," Alexander said, acknowledging his delight in the emergence of a vibrant community of young adult Episcopalians, who meet frequently to socialize as well as to serve in the Atlanta area.

During the two days of meetings, delegates elected a team of lay and clerical deputies for the 2009 General Convention, deliberated over and passed 11 resolutions and canon amendments, and approved a $4.8 million 2008 operating budget.

Resolutions approved deal with making church buildings accessible for all; pledging to participate in the listening process across the Anglican Communion; maintaining a companion relationship with the Diocese of Ecuador Central; supporting the Episcopal Charities Foundation especially during its 25th year; and creating an assistant bishop's post.

Also approved was a floor resolution supporting the House of Bishops in its "passionate desire to remain in communion with the Anglican Communion" and sharing with the Executive Council of the church its concern for "the additional pain and estrangement inflicted on lesbian and gay members of the church."

Among the four canon amendments proposed and passed was one that redefines the diocesan Commission on Church Architecture and Church Construction as less regulatory and more advisory in its work with parishes seeking to improve church properties.

Elected to diocesan offices were:

• John Andrews of Clarkesville and the Rev. Patricia Templeton of Atlanta to three-year terms on the Standing Committee;
• the Rev. Anne Meroney of Macon and Lauren Benedict, also of Macon, to the Ecclesiastical Trial Court;
• John Ballard of Athens and Edith Teal of Newnan to the Mikell Camp and Conference Center Board of Governors;
• the Very Rev. Dean Taylor of Dalton to the University of the South Board of Trustees; and
• Columbus Ward Jr. of Atlanta to the Cathedral Board of Trustees.