About 300 delegates, both clergy and laity, from 39 congregations on five islands meet this weekend when the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii holds its 40th annual meeting of its convention tomorrow and Friday and Saturday.

The meeting is to conduct the business of the diocese, including passing a budget for 2009-2011, and electing representatives to various ministries.

Guests include Bishop Carol Gallagher, the first Native American (Cherokee) woman bishop in the Episcopal Church, who will be the chaplain to the convention and preaches at the opening service, 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Square.

Also attending are representatives of the Anglican church in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Bishop John Kuru Gray, Pihopa Kite Wai Pounamu (Bishop, South Island).

Gray will discuss with Hawaii's Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick the possibility of developing a companion diocese relationship between Hawai`i and New Zealand.

Saturday's session will be at the Sheraton Waikiki.