$38.7 Million Subscribed In Venture Campaigns
Episcopal News Service. December 20, 1979 [79396]
GREENWICH, Conn. -- More than $38 million, including challenge gifts, has been subscribed in Venture in Mission campaigns in the Episcopal Church, the Executive Council learned during its Dec. 12-14 meeting at Seabury House near here.
The Rev. Thomas H. Carson, Jr., Executive for Stewardship/Development, reported to the 44-member Council that as of Oct. 31, 24 dioceses have participated in the first phase of the campaign (1978-1979). Thirty-eight dioceses are planning to conduct their campaigns during 1979-1980, while another 29 dioceses are forming plans to participate during 1980-1982.
Father Carson reported that five dioceses -- Nevada, Rhode Island, San Joaquin, Vermont and Washington -- have not reported plans to participate. However, Vermont is presently engaged in a campaign including a non-Venture world mission project. Two new dioceses approved by General Convention last September -- Western Louisiana and El Camino Real -- have just been formed and have not yet formulated plans to participate.
Diocesan reports, Father Carson indicated, show $33,347,204 subscribed as of October 31 with challenge gifts adding $5,352,752 for a total subscription of $38,699,956.
Father Carson estimates that about $15 million of the total subscribed through October will be applied toward national projects with the remainder supporting diocesan designated concerns.
His report to Council said, "Of the 116 Mission Opportunities approved by Executive Council for publication in the National Venture in Mission brochure, 17 are now reserved by dioceses or individuals. Portions of 47 others have been claimed for specific fund-raising purposes."
He reported that the Diocese of Central and South Mexico has set a Venture goal of 1 million pesos (approximately $45,000) and the Diocese of Northern Mexico has a Venture goal of 150,000 pesos (about $6,667).The Council approved a Venture in Mission budget for 1980 up to $362,614.40, with the funds to be advanced from the Council's reserve deposits. The advance is to be repaid from the receipts of the Venture program.
The services of Ward, Dreshman and Reinhardt, the fund-raising consultants, will end July 1, 1980.