In his annual address, which is now available online (PDF) in English and in Spanish, Bishop Smith talked about people, first; then gave us an update on the parishes in disagreement with him; and ended with comments and observations about the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.

In the first section, he singled out Sharon Pearson, Christian Education & Children's Ministries Coordinator, who will leave diocesan staff Nov. 15 to take a senior position at Church Publishing, Inc; Canon Erik Larsen who has served almost one year as canon for transition ministries; Jack Spaeth, diocesan administrator for 28 years, who will be having surgery on his foot next week and needs rest to allow healing; Guy Cambria, treasurer of the Diocese since 1997 who will resign the position at the end of this Convention; Joan Bray, a 35-year diocesan consultant who recently retired to Florida; and Brad Babbitt, who has agreed to serve as Vice Chancellor with Canon Ed Hebb. One final thanks went to retired clergy who continue to serve parishes. Bishop Smith noted that the Rev. George Hall has served nine parishes since retiring!

Regarding the "parishes in disagreement," the bishop said that clergy and the congregation of Trinity, Bristol voted to join the Anglican Church of Nigeria last spring, without discussing it with him first. Their rector has now been deposed, they are still claiming ownership of the buildings, and a newly assigned priest-in-charge has been providing sacramental ministry to Trinity's homebound and in convalescent homes. Continuing with the other parishes, Bishop Smith noted that at Christ & the Epiphany in East Haven, the rector and half the congregation left to form a new church in the Church in Nigeria, yet they held conversations with him in advance of this action. The remaining congregation has a new vestry and is rebuilding. Bishop Smith has had an episcopal visitation at Bishop Seabury Church in Groton; he's recently met for lunch with the rector of St. Paul's, Darien; and has just begun, via email, a conversation with the rector of Christ Church, Watertown, which plans to make a decision in December about its future.

All this has given Bishop Smith hope. "Even though, as some clergy have said, 'there is no guarantee about the future,' he said, "in the case of each of these latter four parishes [in Groton, East Haven, Darien, and Watertown], the situation has changed. The season of litigation is over, and in each of these relationships we now are engaged in conversation face to face. For this progress I give thanks to God. Please let's all continue to hold hope and offer prayer."

The bishop described rich relationships that have been building between bishops in Connecticut and bishops in dioceses across the Anglican Communion, including Aberdeen & Orkney; Colombia; Lebombo; Southern Malawi; and most recently, Boga. He commended parishes for their outreach, as well. "More parishes and clergy in our diocese are discovering the gospel joy of these links," he said. "They form a new basis for enriching the gospel of Jesus Christ among us, and equipping us to carry the Word outward in so many ways. What a joy! The Anglican Communion is a true blessing, difficult as it is at times for everyone, and it is our special gift to the Church and the world."

In his final section, Bishop Smith described some of the ministries of the now-three bishops in the Diocese, commended engagement in interfaith relationships, and told listeners that as he begins his ninth year as diocesan, "it contines to be a privilege and a joy to serve as bishop."

Not only did Friday's speaker, Enola Aird, address the convention's theme of "Advocating for All God's Children," she personified it. Aird, a Connecticut resident and member of St. Luke's, New Haven, is a self-described "activist mother" who is crusading against our culture's nonstop marketing to children, which she believes entices them into forming values that are at odds with not only the faith community, but, she believes, our very humanity.

Aird spoke about what she called "Moneyworld" values, which she contrasted against "Motherworld" values. In the former, it's a shallow, "gotta-have-it-gimme-now" world, with values determined by what we own, how we look, and what we can get. In the latter, it's about connectedness, interdependence, sacrifice, and stewardship. "Our faith has a lot to say about the formation of whole people," she said. "There is hope in the faith we profess." She encouraged us to help our children build up their faith and their values, and work to end advertising to children. She also exhorted us to join her in lobbying the federal government to put the FCC back into the business of regulating the marketing to children.

The Annual Convention started with a "Meet the Candidates" session. Moderated by the Rev. K. Dexter Cheney and held at the Cathedral from 10:30 a.m. to noon, all the candidates for election this year spoke for up to three minutes each about why they wanted to be elected and what they'd bring to the office. One new candidate was named Friday: Melissa Haas was asked by the Standing Committee to consider running as lay representative to Province One Synod, and she agreed. Her bio is online here.

A few of the emphases heard from those running for General Convention deputy: years of experience at prior conventions; worldwide contacts; interest in MDGs; advocacy for the disabled; opportunity to be voice for the location of the national archives; youth; age; ecumenical connections and emphasis; concern for gays and lesbians. Most also described their love of the Church. Ballotting takes place tomorrow.

The Convention accepted into business a ninth resolution which would recognize the merger of three parishes -- St. Andrew's, Enfield; St. Mary's, Enfield; and Calvary, Suffield -- into one new parish, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Enfield, and welcome it into union with the Diocese. The resolution was late because the votes by the congregations and the necessary approval by the Standing Committee took place after the Resolutions Committee met in early September.