February 25, 2009
Dear Friends:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
The economy is on everyone’s mind these days. It takes effort not to become discouraged and even panicked with all the talk of the greatest economic difficulties since the Great Depression. Some perspective is helpful, I think. Even with this current downturn, we in this country are still materially the richest people on the face of the earth and we’re nowhere near the dire straits of our ancestors who survived the Dust Bowl era. Our forebears made it through tougher times and, by God’s grace, we shall as well.
I believe it is important for Christians to remind ourselves of one of the prayers of the Old Testament, familiar to many as one of the offertory sentences of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer: “All things come of thee, O LORD, and of thine own have we given thee” (1 Chronicle 29:14). Although our resources may be reduced, we are still called to give from that with which we’ve been entrusted for the Kingdom of God and to trust God to provide for our needs.
I am mindful of the words of Charles Fulton who visited our diocesan convention in 2005. He reminded us that there was joy and peace in learning to “live within our means” for the sake of mission. This economic downturn will also affect the “means” of the diocese, especially in the budget year 2010. Therefore, before we begin our annual budgeting process, I want us to engage in a conversation about how we might continue our re-organization for mission in light of current circumstances.
We are not alone in this quandary. Dioceses across the country are beginning to realize that something needs to change, that business as usual cannot continue. Some, such as Eau Claire and Fond du Lac in Wisconsin, are looking at merging to form one diocese. Others, such as Eastern Oregon, are calling part-time “provisional” bishops. The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast is exploring the possibility of dissolving and returning to its “parent” dioceses of Alabama and Florida. In “Total Ministry” style, Northern Michigan recently discerned and elected a bishop from among its own priests to serve as the coordinator of an Episcopal Ministry Support Team. My forays into Louisiana as a quarter-time assisting bishop have been another kind of response.
We set a goal a few years back to reduce the draw on our investment income from 8.5% to 5%, the recommended industry average. Our current budget draws 7.5%. To achieve the goal of 5% would result in a cut in budget income of $82,700. This seems impossible -- unless something drastic or creative were to take place.
Therefore, I want us to begin to discuss the possibility of a bishop who works ¼ time for the diocese and ¾ time as a rector or canon missioner. The savings would be great enough to allow us to reach our goal of reducing investment draw to 5%. I know that we are used to an annual visit from the bishop, but the canons only require the bishop to visit each congregation once every three years. Confirmations could be celebrated on a regional basis.
How to get from here to there I’m not sure, but it is important for us to be on the same page as opportunities present themselves. I intend to begin this discussion formally at the March Diocesan Council meeting. Please share your thoughts on this proposal or alternative ideas with members of the Council.
New Diocesan/Cathedral Office Staff
The new Diocesan/Cathedral Office Staff announced in November is now fully in place. In addition to my Executive Assistant, Fr. Jamie Parsley, and our Finance Officer, Leisha Woltjer, we welcome Brandi Deutch as the new Cathedral Office Manager. Although, for budgeting purposes, the line is clearly drawn between the cathedral Office Manager and the diocesan Finance Manager, it is our intent in practice that these two work together with the Executive Assistant and volunteers as a team to meet the administrative needs of both organizations in an effective manner.
The Dean and I are most grateful to John Baird, Sandy Holbrook, Brett Shewy, Dave Anderson and Beth Lipp who served as our “Task Force on Office Reorganization.” We are hopeful that they will continue to serve as our joint Personnel Committee.
Fourth Deputy Fund Update
At the last Diocesan Convention a decision was made to send either one or both of our fourth deputies to General Convention, “provided funds are procured beyond the diocesan budget.” To enable this I established a “Fourth Deputy Fund” at the diocesan office. Since then, only four individuals and one congregation, St. Thomas of Fort Totten, have made financial and in-kind donations. In addition, expenses for the Anaheim Convention are proving to be higher than expected, resulting in $4,150 shortfall towards the goal of sending both Donna Pettit and Deacon Terry Star. Proceeds from fundraisers and checks may be made payable to the Diocese of North Dakota noting either “Lay Fourth Deputy” or “Clergy Fourth Deputy.” Undesignated contributions will be divided equally.
May the holy season of Lent be a time of refreshment and renewal, leading to a blessed Easter. I am,
Yours in Christ,
+Michael
About the Bishop
- +Michael Smith
- The Rt. Rev. Michael G. Smith was elected the eleventh bishop of North Dakota in 2004. An enrolled member of the Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma, he served churches in Oklahoma and Minnesota before coming to North Dakota. He is Chair of the Executive Council's Committee on Indigenous Ministries. Smith and his wife, the Rev. Lisa White Smith, are the parents of three grown children and the grandparents of three grandsons. He holds degrees in psychology, music, social work and theology from Oklahoma State University, Marymount College of Kansas, the University of Oklahoma and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching through Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. Bishop Michael places a high priority on the baptismal ministries of all the people of God, evangelism, youth ministry, the diaconate, Benedictine spirituality, preaching and theological education. His desire is that each of the congregations of the Diocese of North Dakota becomes a "community of disciples who make other disciples." As a Communion Partner bishop, he works and advocates for the adoption of the Anglican Communion Covenant.