Embracing the values of simplicity and generosity
by the Right Reverend Thomas Clark Ely, Bishop of Vermont
Mountain Echo, June 2009

In my Mountain Echo column last month, I shared the recent Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops addressing the current financial crisis. I hope you took the time to read through it and reflect on its invitation to repentance, simplicity, and generosity and to receive its word of hope. For me, the connection between the economy and the environment highlighted in the Pastoral Letter is an especially important one to remember as we keep alive the theme of our 2009 Diocesan Convention through the work of our Committee on the Environment and in the many efforts individuals and congregations are making in response to the global climate crisis.

The impact of the current economic crisis is being felt in every home, community, congregation and diocese. Family budgets, congregational budgets, the diocesan budget and the budget of The Episcopal Church, in one way or another, are all feeling the effects of market adjustment, unemployment, housing foreclosures, income loss, and the multiple ripple effects associated with a complex and interdependent financial system in need of serious reformation. I hear the troubled concerns of many in conversations during my Sunday visitations, in letters and emails sent by concerned clergy and lay leaders, in various diocesan meetings, including the Trustees and Diocesan Council, and in conversations with bishops and other church leaders beyond Vermont. I also hear that people are not ignoring the current realities but rather facing them head on and making appropriate (albeit sometimes painful) responses. In addition, many are finding this time of economic crisis to be an important time for reevaluating and reclaiming key values (also a theme in the Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops).

The economic crisis has hit some congregations harder than others, or maybe it is more accurate to say it has hit some congregations sooner than others. Certainly those congregations with a heavy reliance on investment income have been faced with some difficult choices, including in some cases a reduction in or loss of staff—clergy and lay. Some have addressed the challenges of this crisis by cutting back on expenses, worshiping during the winter months in parish halls, and by increasing fund raising activities, especially those designated for outreach. Some have placed an added emphasis on the importance of financial stewardship as a central component of our spiritual lives, rather than as an act of charitable giving. Some have been able to weather the storm, while others are still struggling with what this all might mean for the future.

For the most part, I experience a strong resolve among our congregations to remain faithful to our mission and to embrace simplicity and generosity as values within our families, congregations and diocese in order to ensure the vitality of our vocation and mission as the Body of Christ. This is not to diminish the significance of the current realities, but rather is a faithful effort not to let fear in the midst of uncertainty overwhelm us or distract us from our mission. I hope that spirit will prevail in the months ahead.

Over the course of the next several months, members of the Diocesan Council will be working on the 2010 diocesan budget. Even as we look ahead, I want to assure you that the Council is keeping a close eye on the current year budget. Thanks to the good and enviable pattern of parish support for the diocesan budget (debated and approved by clergy and parish delegates at Diocesan Convention), we don’t anticipate significant budget issues for the balance of 2009. Even so, I am asking the diocesan Ministry Support Team, and all committees, commissions and boards to use prudent judgment with regard to the expenditure of budgeted funds for the balance of 2009. Any savings we can realize in this year’s budget will provide help for anticipated budget challenges in the diocesan budget for the next several years.

As we look to the 2010 diocesan budget and beyond, it is likely that we will experience a reduction in overall revenues, both from parish support and from investment income. These are our two primary sources of income for the diocesan budget. Investment income will be down due to portfolio devaluation. Increases in parish support will be slowed by a loss of total operating income at the local level. This means that for the next few years our diocesan budget will be very tight, and we will be challenged to maintain our current priorities and funding levels for all budget items. This will be especially challenging for us as we bring the funding for our Minister of Stewardship Development fully into the diocesan budget in 2011 and continue our commitment toward contributing our full share in support of The Episcopal Church’s General Convention budget.

Diocesan Council is very aware of these challenges, and we are working hard to set priorities and fund our mission as fully as possible. Please keep their work in your prayers. At the same time, I am convening the committee authorized by Diocesan Convention to consider and plan for our next diocesan Capital Campaign. The timing of this will be important, and we hope to bring a recommendation to Diocesan Convention this November.

There was a good reason why Jesus talked about money so much. It is a powerful force, and our relationship to money is a key component of our spiritual lives. Your financial support of our shared participation in God’s mission through your local congregation is a vital spiritual matter, and I am ever so grateful for all the many individuals and households that express this commitment with generosity and gratitude. As a diocese, our shared commitment to fund our common mission and ministry is a reflection of our mutual ministry in service to Christ. The Diocese of Vermont has a proud tradition of funding our mission commitment through the faithful support of our congregations. The careful stewardship of that generous giving is a sacred trust for me and for the members of Diocesan Council.

May God sustain you and fill you with confidence and hope as you faithfully exercise your ministry as stewards of God’s abundant gifts.

Faithfully,
+Thomas

Go to index of Bishop Ely's Mountain Echo columns and letters to the diocese