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PARISH GIVING TO THE DIOCESE

The diocesan budget is funded primarily by congregational giving. Here is Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s annual letter to congregations seeking their support for the diocesan budget and the form necessary to pledge support.

2023 Parish Giving Form
God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Michah 6:8
 
Dear Friends,
 
With the fall ministry season in full swing, I give thanks for your faithfulness and love for Jesus, and for your part in the collective ministry entrusted to us in the Diocese of Washington. Your witness as a faith community, and the many ways in which you strive to be just, kind, and humble are an inspiration and a blessing.  I am also thankful for your sustained financial commitment to our common life.

With your support, we have been able to expand the School for Christian Faith and Leadership, providing offerings that support spiritual growth, parish vitality and leadership skills. We have engaged congregations with health assessments & revitalization strategies, including just recently the start of a second cohort of 12 congregations in Tending Our Soil. We have a Diocesan Creation Care Team working to identify current environmental stewardship practices in our congregations and offer concrete ways we can collectively strengthen our commitment to the care of God’s world. A working group of leaders from our historic and majority Black congregations are exploring strategies for their future sustainability and vitality.

It has also been a challenging year for many, and we on your diocesan staff have worked hard to be a source of counsel, support and encouragement when you need us–in times of transition and celebration; in moments of grief and joy; to assist in matters both small and large. Some more narrative here?

As we look ahead to 2023, we in diocesan leadership are well aware that this is an economically uncertain time. Every budget feels the strain of rising costs and unpredictable market forces. As you consider your financial commitment to our common life, I pray that you see it as a fruitful investment and a joyful opportunity to support ministries that matter to you and our Church.

The Diocese of Washington is blessed with financial resources that we strive to steward fruitfully and in service to our congregations, clergy, and strategic ministry initiatives. Those resources allow us to maintain a voluntary giving policy for congregations rather than mandatory assessment as is the case in most dioceses. Yet financial support from our congregations is key to our ministry, providing half of diocesan income.

If an increase is not possible, please consider maintaining your pledged amount from last year. You can make your pledge online, using the link below.

Together, we will continue to build upon this good work and focus on revitalizing our churches to grow the Jesus movement, inspire every person to grow in faith, equip our clergy and lay leaders to lead well, and partner in ministries of equity and justice for greater impact in our communities.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your bishop.

Faithfully,

Bishop Mariann