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By Nicole Seiferth
Just as everyone in America is affected by the economic crisis, so, too, are their parishes. Here, a few innovative tips – some practical and some pastoral – from parishes and people around the country on how they are handling these difficult times.
Knowledge Helps
When the economic crisis began last fall, Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Greenville, Delaware, tapped into a valuable parish resource – its parishioners. A professor of economics, who is also a member of Christ Church, facilitated a parish forum on the economic crisis. "People were confused," recalls parishioner Rosanne Miller. "They were wondering 'Am I culpable? Am I a victim? Did I cause it or has it hurt me?' Knowledge helps."
Creative Cutting Back
St. Michael's and All Angels Church in Dallas, Texas, began their budget reduction with a conversation. They asked every program: what would you do if you had an extra 15% in your budget and what would you do if you have 15% less? The work took several months, but every program, says parishioner Van Sheets, "tried to be creative and reassess what we were doing." Some of that reassessment and cost-saving took surprising forms, such as smarter, more efficient printer and copier leasings. The parish also decided not to use certain rooms in July and August – very hot months in Dallas – to save money on their air-conditioning.
Thankful Giving
While acknowledging the concern people have about budgets and endowments, the Very Rev. Rene Rory John, Dean of Trinity Cathedral in the Diocese of New Jersey, points out the increasing number of people from the community who need the help of the cathedral's food pantry. "We're grateful we can respond," he says.
Finding the Balance
St. Paul's, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is looking at priorities across the board, for now and the future. "We're putting more people – volunteers – where we had been putting dollars, and parish discretionary funds are serving as a backup to meet special cases of human need," says the rector, the Rev. Donald Fishburne. While attending to the practical realities of budgeting in these times, he says that the parish "is also trying to move people from fear toward hope through preaching, pastoral responsiveness, and Christian education events."
Information Outreach
The financial crisis happened quickly, recalls Philip Brooks, a parishioner at St. Paul's Church in Richmond, Virginia. "We asked ourselves, 'where can people go to get help?'" The church, recognizing that they were not equipped to provide financial counseling for the community, convened a task force of local bankers, lawyers, and others who had knowledge about how to handle the economic crisis. The parish gathered the information shared by the task force and put it into a brochure that is being distributed to the community. "Because we are the facilitator and the distributor of information, this is our outreach," Brooks said.
Saving Space
Christ's Church in Rye, New York, has moved their weekday services to a smaller space to conserve heat and save money. "It's not an inspiring space, but it's fine," says the Rev. Matthew Moretz, assistant rector. "The people who attend love that service and each other. It communicates that we're being good stewards of our resources."
Keep Asking
The Rev. Clare Fischer-Davies, rector of St. Martin's in Providence, Rhode Island, and her vestry had a stewardship campaign planned for Fall 2008. Then the economic crisis hit. "It was tempting to abandon it. We were brave enough to go ahead and we had a great result. Most people seemed grateful for the stewardship education and were really grateful to talk about the parish. Pledges were higher, and the feeling of engagement and goodwill were worth even more."
What Counts
The Rev. King McGlaughon, an Episcopal priest and managing executive with Wachovia Nonprofit and Philanthropic Services, says that charitable giving increases, even during recessions. What are people willing to give to? "People are looking for engagement with mission, not engagement with the vestry or with the building. They're looking to change the world. Show people you're a caring community. Show them how you changed the world last week."
How is your parish handling the economic crisis? What pastoral needs are you responding to? How are you saving money while responding to the growing needs in your community? Share your ideas and challenges here.
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