An amended 2009 budget was approved by the diocesan Executive Board on Thursday, May 7 that reflected an adjustment for the $335,000 shortfall from the anticipated budged presented during the 2009 Annual Council. The significant decrease in pledges from congregations to the diocese made it necessary to adjust the programs and services provided, reorganize and reduce staff and decrease support of the national church, Chanco on the James, communications and other programs. Only the financial support from the diocesan budget for youth ministry services was not considered for adjustment.
Based on the needs of the congregations in the diocese for services and support programs, and after factoring in income from investments, the Executive Board in the Fall of 2008 requested that each parish contribute nine percent of its previous year’s pledge and plate income to support the programs, outreach, education and parish services provided through the diocese. The 2009 budget approved at Annual Council reflected the move to a permanent bishop, a youth missioner, an increase in the contribution toward the ministry of the national church, chaplains, outreach, and other programs.
Most of the churches that pledged Zero to the diocese were so small in Members and Plate & Pledge that it is understandable. But there are a few which deserve further review. Galilee (VA Beach) claims 2,400 Members but had a 40 percent drop in Plate & Pledge from 2006 to 2007. Calvary (Dinwiddle) saw its Plate & Pledge fall to Zero in 2007. Emmanuel (Powhattan) has seen its Members fall from 130 to 30. St. Thomas (Freeman) had increases in Members and ASA but a 50 percent decline in Plate & Pledge. Branden has seen its Members decline from 150 to 75. And all of this took place before the meltdown of 2008. Statmann