We would like to announce the establishment of the Parish Financial Assistance Fund. The greatest blessing which our Father provides is each other — we are the hands and feet, the minds and wills, which He has chosen to walk with Him and witness His work in Northern Alberta. Our care for each other is a great blessing, and a delight to see around the diocese. One of you, who has asked to remain anonymous, being aware of our tight finances across the diocese, has decided to donate funds to the diocese for the express purpose of assisting parishes.
Currently, the fund is accumulating at $2,000 per month, through the generosity of the unidentified donor. While we do not know how long these donations will last from this donor, we are extremely grateful that they may be used in the meantime. Our Diocesan Executive Council has directed that the fund be capped at a certain amount, to make sure that funds are disbursed to the parishes as per the donor’s wishes, and not accumulated into a bank account to gather interest.
Parish Wardens and Treasurers have been asked to submit a form to the diocesan office each month, indicating the current financial picture of the parish. These submissions will be reviewed by the Management Committee, who will recommend specific funding assistance for parishes, to DEC. DEC will then vote on approving any such funding amounts (DEC meets monthly, from September to June). Once per month, the Synod Office will publish the fund information in the Weekly Diocesan Update Email to encourage transparency across the diocese, as per this example:
“Helping each other through the Parish Financial Assistance Fund. Funds are disbursed according to the criteria of “Current Operational Account Amount” + “Other Non-restricted Accounts” < $10,000 AND, the YTD "Monthly Overall Income” is in the negative, as understood from the monthly parish financial update sent to the diocese. Note: parishes must send in their monthly financial update to the diocese for this to be considered.
Donations this month: $9999
Disbursements this month: $9999
Current amount in fund: $9999
Fund currently capped to not exceed: $9999
Thank you for this great example of how we are pursuing what is healthiest for each other, thus sharing the love of Christ.”
Truly, God has blessed us greatly, and is continuing to bless us so. Thank you to each of you for your contributions to the work of our Lord Jesus through our Diocese! For a full definition of the process which will be followed, please refer to Regulation 18 (as per the Regulations.pdf on
https://www.athdio.ca/resources/diocesan).
