About line #1a and #1b
The Episcopal Church and/or Ministries Outside
the Diocese
In budget years 2004 and 2005, the Diocesan Council passed
resolutions that allowed churches to determine whether to
financially support the work of The Episcopal Church at the national
level or to support mission work outside the diocese or a
combination of both. This
occurred after the Episcopal Church General Convention 2003 gave
its approval for the ordination of a bishop who is living in a
same-sex relationship. The action of General Convention has deeply
divided the Episcopal Church, and some individuals in congregations no longer want
to support the budget of The Episcopal Church.
In 2004, churches could designate 16.5% of their
apportionments either to the Episcopal Church or to Ministries
Outside the Diocese of West Texas. The 16.5% was the
percentage of the total diocesan budget earmarked for The Episcopal
Church that year. In 2005, churches could designate 9.46%
either to support The Episcopal Church or to Ministries Outside
the Diocese.
Based on diocesan Council's
resolution in
February 2006, in the year 2007 congregations must direct a certain percent of their apportionment to
either The Episcopal Church (Line Item #1a) or to Ministries Outside the
Diocese (Line Item #1b).
The total budget request for 2007 for The Episcopal Church and
Ministries Outside the Diocese is $184,000, which is 14.83%
of the Reaching Out askings and 5.15% of the total
diocesan budget.
Accordingly, congregations must allocate 14.83% of their
Reaching Out apportionment to either 1a or 1b or a combination
thereof. Congregations may not allocate any
more nor any less than 14.83%.
If a congregation does NOT direct 14.83% to either The
Episcopal Church or to Ministries Outside the Diocese, that
amount will be sent to The Episcopal Church.
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