The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church passed a resolution on Friday, June 10, 2016, supporting the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and responding to the diocese’s request, at the Executive Council’s February 26-28 meeting in Fort Worth, for $600,000 in grant funding.
The resolution approved $217,500 from the general budget, something that happens only rarely.
Read the report from the Episcopal News Service here.
“The Presiding Bishop has personally committed to helping us to raise the remainder of the funds requested in our grant for curacy programs,” said Canon Janet Waggoner, who was present at the meeting in Chaska, Minnesota. “Our church planting efforts are being referred to the Advisory Group on Church Planting for grants through that process, with the support of Executive Council.”
Photos used with permission from Brian Baker
Bishop Scott Mayer, who was present at the February meeting to speak to the Council, said, “In the past few months representatives from the Diocese of Fort Worth have had the opportunity to tell our story to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church. Today the Council passed a resolution to give us a generous grant. This grant is significant to us for two reasons in particular. First, and perhaps most obviously, the funds will be an enormous help as we participate in God’s mission. No less important, this grant signifies encouragement for and investment in our diocese. It’s noteworthy that the Executive Council does not have funds available to help dioceses survive. Our story is not a story of survival, nor is it a story of trying to rebuild an old church. The Executive Council has been moved by our stories of renewal and mission, as we participate in resurrection for a purpose beyond ourselves.
“This is a day of thanksgiving. I am grateful for the service and generosity of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, for the tenacity and expertise of this talented diocesan staff, and for the diocesan representatives – the Rev. Karen Calafat of St. Luke’s, Fort Worth; the Rev. Kevin Johnson of St. Alban’s meeting in Theatre Arlington; and Ms. Corrie Cabes of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Keller – who told their stories to the Council. More stories about our history, the mission and outreach of our congregations, the new congregation in Wise County, and the Thursday lunch program at St. Luke’s, Stephenville, were told through videos and documents presented to the Council on flash drives in February,” he said..
“And I give thanks to God for the privilege of serving — and serving with — you, the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.”
Waggoner was invited to address the Council after the vote on the resolution, which was presented jointly by the Council’s Joint Standing Committee on Local Mission and Ministry, and the Joint Standing Committee on Finances for Mission. The resolution passed unanimously and was followed by a standing ovation for Waggoner as the representative of the diocese.
To: Executive Council
From: The Joint Standing Committee on Local Ministry and Mission and The Joint Standing Committee on Finances for Mission
Date: June 10, 2016
Subject: Funding for Fort Worth“Resolved, That The Episcopal Church gives thanks to God for the renewal and new life evident in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Furthermore, the Council commends the diocese’s progress and resolve as it continues on the path of developing new ministries and church planting; and be it further
“Resolved, That The Episcopal Church grants $107,500 to the Diocese of Forth Worth for its evangelism and church growth ministries in 2016, and $55,000 each in 2017 and 2018; and be it further
“Resolved, That the Diocese of Fort Worth is encouraged to apply for a grant for church planting through the D005 church planting process, and The Episcopal Church will partner with the Diocese of Fort Worth in pursuing other avenues of grant funding and fundraising.”
The diocesan staff is already working on a request for church planting funds through the D005 church planting process, with the Advisory Group on Church Planting. D005 is a resolution passed at General Convention in Salt Lake City in 2015. It was entitled “Creating a Capacity to Plant Churches” and mandated that “the 78th General Convention create a church-wide network for planting congregations, training and recruiting planters; and establishing new congregations each triennium.”
The Rev. Kevin Johnson said, “We are profoundly delighted and grateful to receive both spiritual and tangible financial support and commitment from the leadership of The Episcopal Church. It’s always a bit scary to step outside the norms of ‘how we’ve always done it.’ To have the Executive Council say, in effect, ‘We recognize the importance of this work for the Church and we’ll walk with y’all,’ is refreshingly indicative that our Church is serious about engaging God’s people in today’s world. We ask that all continue to pray for this work, that the message of a loving, embracing God of hope may spread forth across this little piece of Creation we call the Diocese of Fort Worth and rain down gently upon God’s children.”
The Rev Calafat said, “It was such an honor to represent the Diocese of Fort Worth and St. Luke’s in the Meadow at the Executive Council Meeting in February. I am thankful for the strong and persistent leadership of Bishop Scott Mayer and Canon Janet Waggoner. Their vision and enthusiasm for the diocese are contagious! It is such exciting news that the wider Church has listened, heard and responded with such tangible support! Having faith is one thing, but leaping out in trust is another! I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us through the generosity and faith of the Executive Council! Thank you all and thanks be to God!!!”