Stewardship/Development Commission Organizes
Episcopal News Service. March 13, 1980 [80083]
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Standing Commission on Stewardship/Development, created by the Episcopal Church's General Convention last fall in Denver, held its initial meeting here March 3-4 and began its strategy planning for the 1980-82 triennium.
In establishing the 12-member commission, the Convention charged it with preparing for presentation to the 1982 Convention in New Orleans "a statement of policy on stewardship and a strategy designed to develop this policy through on-going programs."
At its first meeting, the Commission made preliminary plans for providing stewardship education and long-range development programs for the Executive Council and the dioceses of the Church. The proposed study would recommend, where appropriate, a joint strategy for the various Church agencies in their fund-raising efforts.
The Commission considered the possibility of offering to be a council of advice to the Executive Council for possible sources of income for special projects not included in the General Church Program Budget.
As it seeks to learn more about the current structures of stewardship in the Church and to be of service to those seeking to enhance the level of stewardship, the Commission will ask each diocesan bishop to select three or four congregations in his jurisdiction which have outstanding stewardship records. These congregations will be requested to complete a brief questionnaire on their stewardship methods.
Officers of the Commission are: the Rev. John MacNaughton, San Antonio, Tex., chairman; Mrs. Richard Boas, Seattle, vice chairman; and Richard Wheeler, New York, secretary/treasurer.
Other members of the Commission are: Bishop Christoph Keller, Jr., of Arkansas; Bishop Gerald N. McAllister of Oklahoma; the Rev. Robert R. Parks of New York City; Dr. C. Flint Kellogg, Carlisle, Pa.; I. H. Burney, Jacksonville, Fla.; Henry S. Noble, New Canaan, Conn.; William Ikard, Santa Teresa, N. Mex.; Harry W. Havemeyer, New York City; and Frank Troutman, Jr., Augusta, Ga.
The next meeting of the Commission will be May 12-13 at the Seaman's Church Institute in New York City.