Financial surgery
Monday, January 2, 2012 at 07:27PM (Staff) ON THE EVE of its 150th anniversary, the Anglican Diocese of Ontario is undergoing some major financial surgery.
At its Nov. 29th meeting, Synod Council voted to stop funding – at least for 2012 – Camp Hyanto, the children and youth ministry coordinator’s position, and the monthly diocesan newspaper, Dialogue.
The cuts are intended to move the diocese from a deficit to a surplus position.
A finance committee struck in August was tasked with creating a “credible, balanced budget,” according to a letter sent out to parishes by Bishop Michael Oulton. “Our overarching goal remains helping to support and serve the needs of parishes, the diocese and our national Church.”
An earlier forecast would have left the diocese with a deficit of $186,000. Instead, Synod Council is now hoping for a surplus of $108,000 to help meet the diocese’s commitment to the national church, which has been in arrears.
A major reason cited for the shortfall is that some of the 44 parishes have failed to give the diocese their required payments for Common Ministry and Mission (CMM). Parishes are expected to send about 25 percent of their income to the diocese, which in turn sends a significant portion to the national church.
Other cuts for 2012 include new grants to parishes and ministries, and the removal of the social action and evangelism budget allocation. Salaries for diocesan staff and clergy will be held at their current level.
The diocesan camp, the children and youth ministry position and the publication of Dialogue have been placed in a “suspended state” for 2012, which is “intended to relieve the financial load on the diocese, while together we engage in an open, forward-looking discussion on needs, challenges, opportunities and options,” the bishop’s letter stated. Funding those ministries will be reassessed at the diocesan synod in the fall of 2012, which is when the synod will pass its budget for 2013.
“I and all those involved in these decisions are keenly aware that these changes and directives will be challenging for many faithful, committed Anglicans in the life of our diocese, as they are to us,” he wrote.
Oulton, who was consecrated bishop last June and installed in September, quoted from the diocesan synod charge given by his predecessor, Bishop George Bruce, in October 2010, who said “...what we need to do is to undertake a serious and speedy review of how we can most effectively resource ministry and at the same time meet our external commitments.”
The Diocese of Ontario, named thus because its See city, Kingston, is on Lake Ontario, was formed in 1862. The diocese stretches from Trenton in the West to Bancroft in the North and Prescott in the East and includes among its larger cities, Belleville and Brockville.
To mark its 150th anniversary the diocese plans a major celebration to take place June 3, 2012 at the K-Rock Centre, Kingston’s hockey arena and entertainment complex seating 7,000. The theme focuses on bringing the gospel to the world. TAP
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