The diocese�s 2010 and 2011 budgets, which were approved by Diocesan Council on Sept. 24 and will go to synod on Nov. 21 for final consideration, contain the following highlights:
� Parish allotment is going down from 24% of assessable net income to 22.65%, leaving more money in the parishes for ministry.
� Episcopal area budgets will be increased from $95,000 each to $112,500 each, creating more opportunity for area-based initiatives.
� Curacy grants will increase from $143,000 to $190,000, allowing more new clergy to receive on-the-job training.
� More money will be put into parish stewardship workshops, advocacy in the media, volunteer training, creating new Christian communities and church planting.
“All is well” in Toronto. Not.
Actually, I think it’s commendable that of the approximately $1 million being trimmed from the diocesan budget, close to half comes from reducing the size of the diocesan staff (cuts of $436K). After all, the parishes don’t exist to support the diocesan headquarters and staff, but vice versa.
But I also find it incredible that the Canadians put up with an oppressively burdensome diocesan assessment that taxes local congregations at a rate over 20%. Maybe the ACoC expects the bishop’s office to do a lot more than in TEC. That may well be, and I’d be glad to learn more about how our brothers and sisters to the north do things.
But FWIW, the Toronto assessment is much, much more than the 10% figure the ACNA uses. Still, hey, at least they cut the rate from 24% to 22.65%. I’m sure every little bit helps the parishes.
David Handy+
You people just don’t seem to get-it, a smaller Church is a more Energy-Efficient Church. Think Canadian!