During the July 6 gathering PB&F members said that Episcopalians have told them they expect the General Convention, the church’s triennial policy-making gathering, to pass a three-year budget that reflects the realities of the economy they live with each day. The members also said they sense a commitment to mission and openness to creative responses to the crisis.<\/p>\n
“What I am hearing is that we’d better be realistic about our income projections,” said Diocese of New Jersey Bishop and PB&F member George Councell, who predicted his diocese’s income will be 25 percent less in 2010.<\/p>\n
“To continue to go on as if nothing’s changed will send a completely wrong message to everyone,” agreed Diocese of West Virginia Bishop Mike Klusmeyer.<\/p>\n
The Rev. Canon John Floberg (North Dakota) said Episcopalians in his diocese are “wondering how we make it through these tougher economic times as a whole church without losing the least and the marginalized.”<\/p>\n