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Proposed Capital Campaign

To the members of the Diocese of Vermont:

In 2010, Diocesan Convention adopted an updated Strategic Plan for Growth and Ministry prepared by Diocesan Council. This followed the 2007 Convention authorization of a Capital Campaign Discernment Committee to explore the feasibility of a major diocesan-wide fundraising effort to support our common mission and ministry for decades to come. The concurrent work in both areas has focused us intensely on the challenges, opportunities and work involved in moving forward in service of God’s Mission.

After eighteen months of work by several committees and “stakeholder” groups, including lay and clergy leaders from around the Diocese, we have developed a document that lays out the critical financial needs of the Diocese, based on the directions and priorities in the Strategic Plan. These range from spiritual formation to environmental stewardship, better communication and study through technology, and caring for our very special diocesan properties at Rock Point and Mission Farm.

This Preliminary Capital Case Statement (download a pdf) is part of the continuing study that will lead up to a special Diocesan Convention June 4, 2011, when delegates and clergy will be asked whether or not to proceed with a Capital Campaign. It proposes a campaign spread over five years with a goal of raising $5,625,000, to be followed by an Endowment Campaign with a goal of raising $5,500,000.

The first phase includes five critical and intertwined ministries, as well as modest costs of the campaign. In addition to the summary Case Statement, more detailed documents have been prepared for each of the five ministries. These are available for download in pdf format:

Spiritual Formation
Earth Stewardship
Communications
Rock Point: Caring for Sirit and Environment
Mission Farm: A Spiritual Life Center

I invite you to explore this material, along with a timeline for the proposed campaign, and to continue to pray for members of the Capital Campign Discernment Committee (see below).

Faithfully,
+Thomas
Thomas C. Ely
Bishop of Vermont

Capital Campaign Discernment Committee

Mr. Beau Bowler, Emmanuel, Bellows Falls
Ms. Laurel Broughton, Trinity, Shelburne
Mr. Wayne Cook, St. Michael's, Brattleboro
The Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Bishop of Vermont
The Rev. Angela Emerson, St. Paul's, White River Junction
The Rev. Reid Farrell, Holy Trinity, Swanton
Mr. Peter Galbraith, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington (co-chair)
Ms. Amy Hastings, St. Stephen's, Middlebury
Mr. James Hastings, Zion Church, Manchester Center (co-chair)
The Rev. Preston Kelsey, II, St. Martin's, Fairlee
The Rev. MaryRobb Mansfield, Christ Church, Montpelier
Mr. Ned McElroy, St. James', Arlington
Mr. Brett Murphy, St. Mary's, Northfield
Ms. Jenny Ockert, Trinity, Shelburne

Committee Contact Information