From The Editor

The fact that income among the parishes in the diocese has increased 14% from 2001-2005 is definitely a good sign.
“God gives us the gifts for the work He calls us to do,” said Bishop Neff Powell.

Policy receives unanimous support from Executive Board

By Christie M. Wills

While some have characterized the $120,000 shortfall in this year’s budget as an opportunity to re-examine diocesan structure, it has also been a looming threat to the continuation of current diocesan ministry.

The Ad Hoc Budget Committee was formed in accordance with a resolution (#8) passed at the 87th Annual Council of the Diocese in January 2006.

Attached below is the Committee's report. To read it, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free download).

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A proposed budget is submitted to Council by the Executive Board's Finance Committee after receiving requests for funding from diocesan programs and committees.

Clergy and lay delegates should review the budget before coming to Council and discuss it at the January Convocation meeting.

At Council, there is opportunity for discussion of the budget with other clergy, delegates, and members of the Executive Board's Finance Committee and Council's Finance Committee on Friday evening after the Eucharist.

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bedford

18th January, 2006.

To all Vestries in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia

Dear Wardens and Vestry members,

You will be aware of the current financial crisis in the Diocese. At this moment there is a shortfall of approximately $114,000 in the operating budget for 2006. The Bishop is faced with the daunting task of dramatically reducing expenditure, and it seems likely that the areas that will be most affected are programs – including youth activities – and staffing. Since to do either on a large scale would seriously affect the work of the diocese, an alternative plan is being considered. This would involve balancing the budget by opening a line of credit for $114,000.