In preparation for the special convention, the diocesan treasurer predicted that the tamped-down support of diocesan ministry\u201d\u201dcongregation apportionments plus standard dividends from investments\u201d\u201dwould not exceed $2 million annually.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in a different financial place than where we were even six short months ago,\u201d\u009d Bishop Gibbs wrote to the diocese in late March, signaling the necessity to sacrifice mission and ministry opportunities.<\/p>\n
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\u201d\u201d canon for Ministry Development and Transition Ministries, canon for Lifelong Learning, director of Stewardship and Planned Giving, and director of Payroll and Benefits\u201d\u201dwere full-time positions eliminated from that staff, effective at the end of May.<\/p>\n