In preparation for the special convention, the diocesan treasurer predicted that the tamped-down support of diocesan ministry””congregation apportionments plus standard dividends from investments””would not exceed $2 million annually.
“We are in a different financial place than where we were even six short months ago,” Bishop Gibbs wrote to the diocese in late March, signaling the necessity to sacrifice mission and ministry opportunities.
On April 2, the bishop made the first sacrifice. He dissolved five positions on the diocesan staff. One in the finance office was unfilled since convention approved the 2009 budget. The four others”” canon for Ministry Development and Transition Ministries, canon for Lifelong Learning, director of Stewardship and Planned Giving, and director of Payroll and Benefits””were full-time positions eliminated from that staff, effective at the end of May.