By Steph Wiechmann
The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia faces a severe budget
crisis in 2006, a major concern as the diocese plans to meet for its
annual convention this weekend. Its financial situation may spell
trouble for a diocese-owned summer camp and education center that will
be cut out of this year's expenses.
The diocese comprises 57 churches, including R.E. Lee Memorial in
Lexington. On the agenda of the 87th Annual Council, scheduled for Friday through
Sunday at the Hotel Roanoke, is a proposed budget with a $137,000
deficit.
In an undated message on the diocese’s Web site, Bishop F. Neff Powell
calls the budget “the most challenging we have faced for many years.”
“We anticipated a $36,000 increase in giving from churches,” Powell
said, “but instead received a decrease of $101,000 resulting in a
tremendous gap of $137,000.” That gap is roughly 13 percent of the total
budget.
In an interview with The Rockbridge Report, Powell said that last year the
diocese asked the parishes for a “slight increase” in their yearly
gifts. However, at year’s end, those contributions came up short.
Of the eight parishes that decreased their pledges, Powell wrote that
the largest decrease was from St. John’s parish in Roanoke, the largest
contributor to the diocese. According to the diocese’s proposed budget
for 2006, released on Jan. 9, St. John’s congregational pledges have
dropped 59 percent, or $106,948, from last year.
St. John’s has had a rocky year because of controversy within the church
leading to leadership changes and a drop in contributions. Its rector,
the Rev. Bob Beasley, left the parish in May after his leadership style
and views on controversial issues created tension between parish
leadership, Beasley, and members of the church.
In the summer of 2003, the Episcopal Church’s General Convention
consecrated Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire, making him the first
openly gay bishop in the church’s history. With Robinson’s appointment,
the convention effectively endorsed same-sex unions -- a move that
angered conservative Episcopalians and some members of St. John’s
congregation. According to The Roanoke Times, Beasley supported
Robinson’s promotion and the blessing of same-sex unions within the
church.
Powell said that there is no official diocese position on homosexuality
and he has not authorized blessings on same-sex unions. "They [priests]
should consult with me and consult with leadership before they take
action” he said.
Faced with a rector who did not reflect everyone’s views, some members
of St. John’s congregation decreased their annual contributions. During
the same period, The Roanoke Times reported a 13 percent drop in
attendance at Sunday morning services.
The diocese has had to look hard at its budget because of the lack of
income and what to do to combat the large deficit. In Powell’s message,
he specifically mentions that the diocese is considering “eliminating
support to Phoebe Needles Center immediately.”
The Phoebe Needles Camp and Conference Center is a diocese-owned retreat
center in Franklin County, just outside of Callaway. The property is
used for retreats, conferences, and summer camp.
This year, the center will be part of the Franklin County educational
system as it begins to host an alternative education program for the
district. Students expelled from area schools will use the center to
continue their studies.
The Rev. John Heck, rector of St. Peter’s in Callaway, serves as the
center’s director. According to this year’s proposed budget, the diocese
will continue to fund the director’s salary, but will not contribute to
any of its operating costs. The center will be financially strapped
without support from the diocese, said Heck.
Heck said the center gets 25 percent of its financial resources
from the diocese. All other support, according to its Web site, comes
from contributions from individuals, businesses, civic organizations and
grants from foundations.
The center is currently in the middle of expansion and renovation
projects. Phoebe Needles may be able to fund a planned sewage treatment
facility, but plans for a new lodge building and renovations to the
original school building may have to be postponed.
“That’s about three years off, unless money falls out of the sky,” said
Heck.
In addition to cutting support to Phoebe Needles, the diocese is
considering one more option. It has secured a $114,000 line of credit to
help with the overall deficit, though using the money is a last resort
for Powell. In his Web site message, he wrote, “The Executive Board has
committed to work to raise the difference by year-end so we pray we will
not have to borrow from the line of credit.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
The Phoebe Needles Center
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Claudette Artwick
Reporting supervisor: Prof. Doug Cumming
Editing supervisor: Prof. Pamela Luecke
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd