Budget Growth Permits New Work
Diocesan Press Service. November 2, 1964 [XXVI-5]
Overseas work, urban mission, theological education, and Mutual Responsibility will receive increased emphasis in the Episcopal Church's program and budget for the next three years. All other aspects of the Church's work will continue to be supported with few, if any, increases.
"The real program of the Church is Mutual Responsibility, " said the Rt. Rev. Gerald F. Burrill, Bishop of Chicago and chairman of the Program and Budget Committee, as he made his presentation to a Joint Session of the Church's 61st General Convention. He pointed out that plans for new mission strategies form the base for all the Church will do in the next three years.
"No one of us can see where the Holy Spirit will lead us, " Bishop Burrill stated in the committee's report. "In the meantime, it is necessary for the Church to adopt and underwrite a program through the usual channels."
The Church's budget for the next three years is $12,777,017 for 1965; $13,379,351 for 1966; and $13, 922, 675 for 1967. Throughout the triennium, the budget will come to some $40 million.
The Church's support of overseas work will receive major attention: earmarked for this field is an increase of about $1 million which goes into effect immediately.
The Urban Mission work will rate a second major increase. Additional funds will be spent on pilot projects involving the creation of new structures, the development of new methods, and the discovery of new ways to raise money -- all geared to the increase and support of the Church's ministry to urban areas in the United States.
A token $100, 000 has been designated for scholarships for candidates for the Sacred Ministry. Inclusion of this item marks the first time that the General Convention has participated officially in the support of all eleven of the Church's seminaries.
Questioned during debate over the budget, Bishop Burrill stated that the proposed budget was fluid and that the Church's Executive Council has the authority to transfer funds as needed. The budget was passed without change by both houses of the General Convention.