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Fly on the Wall

This article also appears in the June issue of Diocesan Post.

This regular column reports on the activities and decisions of Diocesan Council—the “synod between synods” of our diocese. Download monthly meeting minutes.

Transforming Futures 

The substantive agenda item for the April Diocesan Council meeting was the review and discussion of the “case for support” that will undergird the fundraising component of a long-term diocesan financial plan.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Logan emphasized the importance of Diocesan Council members being able to articulate the vision, to understand the financial plan and to be able to positively represent the actions of Diocesan Council in their parishes and wherever they travel throughout the diocese.

As reported in the “Bishop Logan Writes” column of the March issue of the Diocesan Post, Transforming Futures is the name being given to the fundraising component of the financial plan. This parish-based initiative will centre on raising extra-ordinary funds to support vision-related activities at the parish, regional and diocesan levels. With the success of the 2016-2018 Vision Fund, which has provided seed funding to over 54 projects totalling $361, 400, the need to ensure we are able to continue this exciting work long into the future is critical. For more information about the Vision Fund and projects supported to date visit bc.anglican.ca/about/our-vision.

Diocesan Council reviewed the draft case for support and provided input. A second draft will be brought to the May meeting. Members of council spoke passionately about why they believe there is an urgency for such a plan and some came to the meeting with personal cheques to donate to the fundraising efforts.

Parish-Based Stewardship Program

Brian Evans has stepped down as stewardship officer for the diocese (see bc.anglican.ca/news for details). Brian will stay on, in a non-stipendiary role, as part of a diocesan stewardship team that will provide training and support to parishes. As part of the long-term financial plan, the diocese has adopted the Anglican Church of Canada’s giving our thanks and praise stewardship program and the stewardship team will begin rolling it out in parishes in June 2018. Visit bc.anglican.ca for more information and regular updates.

Finances

Council approved a request by St Paul’s Housing Society to transfer monies from its unrestricted fund in the Consolidated Trust Fund back to its operating account. Gail Gauthier, finance officer, provided some preliminary statistics from 2017 parish financial statements and information returns (several parishes still to report) including that over 75% of parishioners are age 50+, 48% give $15 or less per week, 19 parishes are projecting deficits and approximately half of the parishes have balances under $30,000 in their bank accounts. Payroll costs, insurance and assessment rates were discussed as financial hurdles for many parishes. Although some parishes are generating surpluses, the option of raising the assessment rate for all parishes is not a viable alternative to a diocesan/parish fundraising initiative.

Vision Implementation Teams

On April 21, team leaders for each of the six Vision Implementation Teams (Engaging God’s World, Emerging Ministries, Reconciliation & Beyond, Worship Resources, Youth & Family Life, Lay Ministry & Leadership Formation) met with the bishop to clarify their terms of reference and to prepare an action plan leading up to and following Synod. These teams will meet monthly in preparation for Synod and will report back to Diocesan Council each month on their activities. They will be coordinated by Brendon Neilson as “vision animator.” For more information about the Vision Implementation Teams visit bc.anglican.ca/about/our-vision.