Diocese of Western Michigan Starts Youth Fund
Episcopal News Service. June 30, 1999 [99-099J]
(ENS) An endowment fund has been established to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the formation of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan. A goal of $125,000 has been established for this fund and it has been designated in its entirety for youth programs among the ministries of the diocese.
Bishop Edward L. Lee Jr., said, "In this anniversary year, it's one thing to celebrate the past, but I believe we must do something tangible to affirm and build the future. It has been a very long time since the diocese has been challenged to raise a substantial amount of money for a ministry project that will benefit an important segment of our diocesan family, namely our young people. I believe we are capable of achieving this goal."
Lee also said that everyone throughout the diocese would be solicited and challenged to give or pledge to the Fund, with himself and the diocesan executive council starting things off. Young people of all ages will also be asked to give, even if its only $1.25. Variations of the 125 figure will provide suggested giving amounts. For example: $12.50, $125, $1,250 even $12,500.
The report concluded with Lee saying, "Over and over again the word has come back to diocesan leadership from clergy and parishioners alike: As a diocese, ministry for, by and with our youth is critical and essential and our anniversary year gives us a unique opportunity to establish an enduring base for that ministry in the years and decades to come."