"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:16)
My brothers and sisters, I greet you in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.
We are midst the 2018 budget process and I ask that you keep all those involved in this ministry in your daily prayers and in the church cycle of prayer. As your Bishop, I consider the budget sacred because it is the offering of your labor and love and signifies our common union as the Body of Christ. We take, bless and break our gifts and we go out and touch the world through mission, ministry and outreach in the name of our Savior.
We are working daily to build a servant ministry and do all in our power to build up the congregations that comprise the Diocese of Pennsylvania. By equipping you with better support and an array of best practices, we seek to empower the congregations and laity to plant the seeds of hope, love and faith in order that you will then in turn go out in the world and make disciples of women and men.
While it is our goal to advance our mutual calling, please know that I recognize that the assessments can create a real burden, especially for smaller parishes. The fact that you continue to work so hard to meet this commitment and contribute to our common life and ministry is both humbling and inspiring. Your efforts signify the importance of our community which reflects the beautiful body of our Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks for your faithful offering and hold you in prayer daily.
Therefore, as we develop the budget please be assured that we will explore every angle, review each number, and explore a whole range of alternatives in order not to increase your expenses.
It is important that we hear from you and you have a voice in the process. I ask that you prayerfully submit your suggestions, ideas and goals to the Finance Committee, Diocesan Council, Deans and to the Office of the Bishop. We need your input throughout this process; you are the Diocese of Pennsylvania.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude. I would like to thank the staff of the Office of the Diocese, the Budget Committee, the Treasurer, Diocesan Council and the Deans for their hard work in developing the budget. I would also like to thank our churches. It is your pledges and your gifts that allow the Diocese of Pennsylvania to touch the world in the name of Jesus Christ. You are His hands, feet and voice.
We are creating something new and exciting in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. We are changing lives, touching pain and making disciples in His name. Together, through offerings both large and small, through mutual ministry and by building up our community of faith we are truly becoming one body in Christ. God bless you and know that I pray for you daily.
