$15.8 Million Budget Set For 1980
Episcopal News Service. December 20, 1979 [79395]
GREENWICH, Conn. -- With little debate or discussion the 44-member Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, meeting here Dec. 12-14, approved a General Church Program Budget for 1980 in the amount of $15,848,185. This budget is the same as that which was recommended by General Convention's Program, Budget and Finance Committee in September and which was approved by the Convention.
The approved budget for the first year of the 1980-1982 triennium represents an increase of $1.1 million over the 1979 budget of $14,704,400.
The 1980 budget as approved by Convention is about $600,000 more than the amount which had been proposed by the Executive Council. In Denver, the Convention, on recommendation of the Program, Budget and Finance Committee, approved increases in three areas: $170,000 (instead of $30,000) for the near bankrupt Diocese of Costa Rica; $925,000 (instead of $550,000) for the Coalition for Human Needs; and $100,000 more (instead of $700,000) for the three black Episcopal colleges.
On the income side of the budget, the Council expects to receive $13,357,185 from diocesan sources and the remaining $2,491,000 from investment income, special gifts, and miscellaneous sources.
The 95 U. S. dioceses have been assigned quotas according to a formula for a total of $14,360,000, with the 18 overseas dioceses expected to contribute voluntarily without a quota an additional $45,000. The Council expects the U. S. dioceses to contribute $13,312,185, including $300,000 from diocesan special sources.
At the time the increases for the Coalition for Human Needs had been suggested during Convention, Bishop John T. Walker of Washington, chairman of the Coalition of Urban Bishops, had said that the members of that organization would do everything in their power to convince their councils and conventions to accept their full apportionments and guarantee payment. Since that time Bishop Walker's Diocese of Washington has pledged $26,000 more than their quota for 1980.
On the expense side of the budget, the largest segment is designated for World Mission in Church and Society for a total of $5,946,211. This budget supports mission in Anglican and overseas Episcopal dioceses as well as the Church's ecumenical relationships.
National Mission in Church and Society is slated to receive $3,903,555 from the $15.8 million program budget, with the causes spread over a wide range of mission opportunities such as minority and specialized ministries, housing, hunger, and domestic coalitions.
The third program area, education for Mission and Ministry, has a budget of $2,499,635, which will support lay ministries -- such as evangelism, youth and college, Christian education -- and ordained ministries -- including ministry development, theological education, church deployment, pastoral development and chaplaincies.
Undergirding these three program sections are Communication ($555,340), Stewardship/Development ($262,915), Finance ($727,389) and Administration Services and Personnel ($1,953,140).
Matthew Costigan, Treasurer, reported to the Council that responses have been received from 60 dioceses, with 45 of them accepting the 1980 assigned apportionment in full. Two dioceses have over pledged for a total of $29,000: Washington by $26,000 and Oklahoma by $3,000. Thirteen dioceses to date have not been able to accept their quotas.
The Council voted to put a temporary hold on 5 percent of certain specified program items in the budget pending a full response from the dioceses as a protection against a possible shortage of income.
On a note of optimism, Mr. Costigan told the Council, "If the trend continues, I hope to be able to report to you in February that the total budget has been met and therefore the restrictions placed upon this budget may not be necessary."
Mr. Costigan said that he expects all 1979 pledges to be paid in full by January 15. "We know of no diocese that is having difficulty meeting its pledge at this time," he said.