Parish assessments supported diocesan vision in 2014

The assessments that congregations pay to the diocese are the basis for the diocesan budget. At the January 31, 2015, meeting of the Executive Council, Diocesan Treasurer Bob Hicks reported many of the ways the diocesan vision was supported by diocesan dollars in 2014:

• Paid the full Asking of The Episcopal Church and Province VII Assessment for the 6th year in a row.
• Continued our growth towards a charitable tithe with donations to:
  • Episcopal Relief and Development
  • Sewanee, Seminary of the Southwest, and Episcopal Programs at Brite; support for seminarians and University of the South
  • Mission and outreach grants to support:
    1. an after-school program at Meadowbrook Elementary School
    2. a Habitat for Humanity build
    3. purchasing men’s shoes for the Union Gospel Mission
    4. purchasing socks for the Presbyterian Night Shelter
    5. replacing playground equipment at St. Martin-in-the-Fields preschool
    6. replacing a telephone system for Christian Community Assistance
    7. providing Micro Loans through Kiva International
    8. restocking a Tilapia fish pond at Amazing Grace Children’s Home in Awasi, Kenya
    9. supporting youth ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota
    10. providing propane for heat in Diocese of South Dakota.
• Continued support to congregations throughout the diocese in making significant steps in spiritual and financial health, stabilization, life and/or or growth through
  1. grants to St Andrew’s, Fort Worth; St Alban’s, Arlington; St Stephen’s, Hurst; and the Episcopal Church in Wichita Falls
  2. assistance in recasting assets for Christ the King/ St Elizabeth,Fort Worth;and All Saints/Good Shepard/St Stephen’s in Wichita Falls
  3. payment for certified copies of property deeds and obtaining expert witnesses to support litigation. A more complete story is revealed in the news and activities reported on the diocesan website and social media networks and published in the Common Purpose bimonthly newsletter.
• Supported campus ministry programs at Tarleton State Univerisity, Stephenville, and Texas Christian University. An average of 275 people gathered for each of the Tarleton State programs; the TCU program attracted students from Texas Wesleyan University also.
• Supported ministry development by conducting/sponsoring/participating in several successful conference throughout the year, Including
  1. the Fifth Anniversary of the Reorganization of the Diocese
  2. Growing in Faith (Peter Steinke on Family Systems)
  3. Hispanic Ministries (Luis Bernard)
  4. Consortium of Episcopal Endowed Parishes (CEEP)
  5. The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS)
  6. Episcopal Building Fund’s Re-casting Assets program
  7. Episcopal Business Administrator Conference (EBAC)
  8. Bishop’s Executive Secretaries Training (B.E.S.T.)
  9. Diocesan Administrators Conferences
  10. Clergy Calls and Conferences
  11. Church Insurance Update (CPG)
  12. Episcopal Communicators Conference
  13. Episcopal Chancellors Conference
  14. Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People
• Supported Christian Formation through Cursillo and Education for Ministry.
• Participated in the 2014 Episcopal Youth Event and also provided a grant to the CandleWater Players, a youth group, for its production of Hello Dolly. The production was sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church. All ticket profits were donated to helping prevent human trafficking of children under the age of 18.
• Contracted with a Director of Communication, Website/Social Media Manager and Website Developer; Maintained a diocesan website and social media networks; communication and evangelism, connecting people with the Good News and the good works throughout the diocese.
• Produced the bimonthly newsletter, Common Purpose, Bishop High’s initiative to communicate with members of the diocese and in outreach efforts throughout the diocese.
• Supported our chancellor and her work in the diocese and liaison with the litigation team.
• Had a very successful diocesan convention with worship, workshops, fellowship, and, yes, a little business.
• Contracted with RSI to help us with the Funding for the Future Campaign.
• Paid the costs to maintain a diocesan office and administrative support and communication services for clergy and lay leadership.
• Realigned the diocesan office and staff; transitioned to the Administrative Assistant, Ministry Support and Communications Officer, and Canon to the Ordinary/Transition Ministry Officer; and appropriately recognized the time our bishop invested in the work of the diocese.