The Second Annual Stewardship Development Institute will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2008, beginning at 9:30 am at the Phoebe Needles Center. The event is designed for all parish stewardship chairs, treasurers, Christian educators, and clergy.

This annual event has evolved from our Mutual Ministry Review process.  Based upon last year's positive feedback, we are once again holding this event at our diocesan camp and conference center. And the event will be held earlier this year to help parishes have time to plan for the traditional fall stewardship season.

In our diocese, we look for ways to positively influence our collective capabilities to change lives--young and old. Therefore the theme for this year is "Building Households of Faith."

Parish leaders are of one mind that ongoing stewardship education is fundamental to our ability to make a difference in the lives of other people. And we know that stewardship is a family affair--the young tend to learn their values about money and stewardship from their families.

The purpose of the Second Annual Stewardship Development Institute is to help parish stewardship leaders discover how their parishes can strengthen families by teaching families how to talk about financial decisions.

Please register for the Institute no later than August 8, 2008.  The $20.00 per person registration fee helps to offset the cost of the facilities rental, materials, and a delicious lunch on the grounds of our conference center in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We encourage at least two members per parish to attend. As an incentive, when two or more representatives from a parish attend, the fee will be reduced to $15.00 per person.

Your diocesan staff has designed an instructional day together with you in mind. We look forward to welcoming you to the Stewardship Development Institute at the Phoebe Needles Center. Your presence and participation will be most welcome.

Sincerely yours,

Alan Boyce
Deputy for Administration