Nearly 400 voting members also passed nine resolutions and elected deputies for the 2009 General Convention.

Five resolutions passed without discussion or debate, including the 2008 minimum clergy salary and the 2008 diocesan budget of $5.6 million, as well as resolutions seeking withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, support for paid sick leave days in Connecticut, and an increase Connecticut state rental assistance.

A resolution encouraging the bishop and standing committee to consent to the consecration of all qualified candidates duly elected to the episcopate in other dioceses -- a dissent from 75th General Convention Resolution B033 -- passed by a show of hands following debate primarily on issues of justice, patience, and unity.

The first resolve of the resolution "affirms the precedence of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church to Resolutions of General Convention, and will faithfully adhere to Title III.1.2 which states that, 'No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age.'"

Delegates decided that it wasn't fair for parishes to hire additional clergy instead of paying the 12.5% assessment to the diocese. Resolution #5 offered assistance and encouragement to parishes that weren't meeting the 12.5% level of giving to the diocese, but an amendment was offered and passed that gave the bishop the discretion not to license additional paid clergy to serve at parishes that didn't meet the minimum standard.

"It's not fair to parishes that struggle to pay," said the Rev. Nicholas Porter, rector of Trinity, Southport, who offered the amendment.

A ninth resolution ratified the merger of three parishes that had been in a regional ministry into one new parish. Holy Trinity, Enfield, was received into union with the diocese, to the delight of its clergy and parish representatives at the convention.

The texts of all resolutions are available here.

"The overwhelming direction of this convention pointed us and moved us to mission -- with children, addressing the destructive cultural values and teaching Christian values -- and with parishes, moving them to mission both locally and beyond our borders," said Diocesan Bishop Andrew D. Smith. "There has also been the recognition that an increasing part of our ministry as a diocese is to speak up and speak out."

The convention's theme was "Giving voice to the voiceless: Advocating for all God's children."

The issues were raised in presentations on both days, from reflections by Bishop Jane Dixon, formerly of the Diocese of Washington, who served as chaplain; to featured speaker and "activist mother" Enola Aird of Connecticut; to the Episcopal Church's director of mission the Rev. James Lemler; and to Henri Isingoma, Bishop of Boga in the Anglican Church of the Congo.

In his annual address, Smith singled out a series of people for thanks and other recognition, gave an update on the status of parishes in disagreement, and ended with comments and observations about the church and mission.

Regarding the parishes in disagreements, Smith said he has found reason for hope. "Even though, as some clergy have said, 'there is no guarantee about the future,' in the case of each of these latter four parishes [in Groton, East Haven, Darien, and Watertown], the situation has changed," he said. "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."

New this year was a cadre of greeters and hosts from St. Paul's on-the-Green, Norwalk, in place both days. They helped people cross the city streets, welcomed them, directed them to rooms, held open doors, and answered questions. St. Paul's has led two diocesan-wide conferences on its practice of "radical hospitality" and convention organizers took advantage of their expertise.