Growth in support of the 2005 budget

The good news is, 2005 parish contributions in support of the mission and ministry of the Diocese of Fredericton totalled $1,262,000, up $54,000 over 2004 contributions. The bad news is, the diocese was still left with an operating deficit of about $68,000.

“We’re encouraged by the growth in support of an ambitious program of mission and ministry, even if it isn’t sufficient to cover everything,” says diocesan treasurer Fred Scott. “Budget consultation and information forums in the past few years indicate a high level of understanding and acceptance of the mission and program priorities of our shared ministry.”

“We need to do a better job at building relationships among individual parishes (the Diocese)" says the Ven. Geoffrey Hall, Secretary of Synod and Executive Assistant to the Bishop. "We're all part of this diocesan ministry. Support of the diocesan budget is not just a financial matter. Diocesan Council is beginning to look at ways in which communication with and among parishes about our ministry goals as a diocesan church can be improved."

"We're also working at how, with the limited resources available, we can deliver development tools and support effectively where ministry

happens," says Archdeacon Hall "Its not so much about numbers, financial or otherwise, but about being healthy. Stronger parishes mean a stronger diocese and a stronger church. We're hopeful that our partnership with General Synod's Letting Down the Nets will assist us in that regard."

A $136,000 shortfall of parish contributions left a significant number of parishes unable to participate fully in a financial way to the vision of the diocese in 2005.

“We’re still waiting for audit results to confirm our numbers, but we have already begun to contact parishes that were unable to meet their portion of the budget,” says Canon Scott. “We’re looking at constructive ways to turn around the situation in 2006.”

About three per cent in under-spending on the expenditure side of the budget helped to mitigate the parish contribution shortfall.

“The largest saving was on clergy moving expenses, we just didn’t have that many relocations in 2005.” Some new diocesan initiatives, including the curacy program, were slow to get underway and didn’t require all their budgeted funding. The Christian education director’s position was also vacant for part of the year.

A 2004 deficit of about $27,000 had no impact on the diocesan cash flow, which is relatively strong. The addition of this year’s $68,000 deficit may begin to erode that position.

The diocese focuses its financial support on ministry to youth, spiritual formation, administration, episcopal ministries, stewardship and financial development, parish development and support, and mission and outreach as it seeks to fulfil its mission to proclaim the gospel for the making of disciples.

Diocesan Communications
28 February 2006