Endowing the Future

Welcome to a new blog inviting discussion about the diocesan foundation.  Still in its infancy, the vision of the foundation is to become an endowed source of funding for new and revitalized ventures in local ministry as well as Camp Cross, and to underwrite the episcopacy such that askings can be significantly reduced.   What we want is for a very large number of Episcopalians to make regular commitments or pledges, for a few Episcopalians to make sizable gifts or bequests, and for every diocesan leader to be enthusiastically supportive of the foundation, so that we can grow to about $5 million as our basic nut. 

With our investment policy in place, the trustees have engaged Washington Trust to manage our funds through  conservative investments in funds distributed among large companies, small companies, fixed income and money markets.  Quarterly reviews of our investment strategies have helped us avoid the worst effects of the recession and be well positioned to take advantage of an emerging recovery.   In the meantime, the trustees also recognize that every congregation needs help with stewardship, especially as a theology of one’s relationship with God through the godly stewardship of all that God has given to us.  That means a lot more than just a few months in the fall trying to raise money for the budget.  It means a way of life centered on doing the work God has given us to do as individual Christians and through our various congregations.  Toward that end a new stewardship program was announced at the recent clergy conference and will soon be in the field to work with every congregation.  

The hard part in all of this is that a lot of the work we are doing for the foundation endowment funds and for congregational stewardship will benefit the next generation of Episcopalians in our diocese more than it will benefit us.  It takes courage and faith to commit to future generations when our own immediate needs are so pressing.  But that is what we are called by God to do.