Clergy and lay delegates from the Diocese of Maryland overwhelmingly approved a three-phase capital campaign with a potential goal of $11 million at a special convention held near Baltimore Oct. 6.

The largest proposed fund drive in the history of the diocese, the capital campaign will finance major construction and improvements to the Bishop Claggett Center -- the diocese's camp and conference facility near Frederick -- and facilities for the five new church starts the diocese plans over the next five years. The campaign is a direct reflection of the diocese's goal to move "from maintenance to mission."

The plan calls for: Phase One -- to raise $4 million over a minimum of 18 months; Phase Two -- to raise an additional $2.5 million over 12 months; and Phase Three -- to raise $4.5 million, which may be undertaken upon the successful completion of the first two phases.

The campaign was initially proposed in January as a $12 million effort to be conducted over several years. The Oct. 6 convention came after completion of a 10-month discernment process and formal feasibility study during which the diocese sought input from a broad cross section of laity and clergy.

Diocesan leaders revised the plan, breaking it into three distinct phases and decreasing the total to $11 million, in response to the current uncertain economic climate and after learning through the discernment process that many churches in the 118-parish diocese -- including 19 of its 23 largest congregations -- were finishing, beginning or planning their own capital drives.