Diocesan Surplus Slated for Welfare Program
Episcopal News Service. March 7, 1996 [96-1409BB]
(ENS) A $43,000 surplus in the diocesan budget will be used by Tennessee Episcopalians to support the governor's welfare-reform program. In announcing the initiative in the opening session of the Diocese of Tennessee's annual convention, Bishop Bertram Herlong said the concern is for the well-being of people in need and is not a partisan proposal. "We have no intention of letting the church be used for political purposes," he said. "But we do see clearly a ministry and service to which some of our congregations can respond." In his address, Herlong said he was working with Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist on the governor's reform, which would put welfare parents to work. In order for the governor's program, Families First, to be successful, there is a critical need for increased child care program and transportation for working parents, the bishop said. The Episcopal proposal would award grants to local Episcopal churches to start day-care programs or arrange transportation for newly working parents.