GIVING

2022 Annual Bishop’s Appeal

See, I am doing a new thing.
Isaiah 43:19

Dear Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington,

Three years ago, we embarked on a series of listening sessions throughout the diocese hoping to gain greater clarity about where the Holy Spirit was at work in us and among us so that we could leverage our time, talent, and treasure more fruitfully. The information we gathered became the basis for our five-year strategic plan, one that would focus on the revitalization of our parishes, deepening the spiritual growth of our members, and striving for justice in our communities.

Little did we imagine that only a few short weeks after we officially launched the plan at the 2020 Diocesan Convention, the world would be forever changed by the arrival of a global pandemic. In the midst of loss, hardship, overwhelm, and social isolation, the plan turned out to be a timely gift, giving us direction in a season of wilderness and inspiring us to redirect even more diocesan resources to our congregations.

Over the past two years we’ve made progress on key initiatives of the strategic plan. From the launch of the School for Christian Faith and Leadership to the development of a Path of Discipleship and Parish Vital Signs, to newly commissioned groups focused on refugee resettlement, and reparations, to the complete overhaul of the diocesan website and so much more, each step we’ve taken has been deliberate, strategic, and faithful to the dream God has placed in our hearts. In 2022, we enter year three of our diocesan strategic plan, devoting our collective efforts toward two more of our original strategic plan initiatives. With your help:

• We will cultivate the soil of our diocese so that we might launch or relaunch up to three worshiping communities with a primary focus on rising generations and provide resources for all our congregations to grow younger.
• We will promote Creation Care practices in all our faith communities.

Please join me in investing in our shared mission at a time when our congregations need diocesan support and resources more than ever.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde
Bishop of Washington