Episcopalians' budget takes hit

Washington Diocese cites paltry giving for cuts
By Julia Duin
Monday, June 8, 2009

The Episcopal Diocese of Washington has drastically revised its 2009 budget, largely because of paltry giving from the bulk of its congregations plus a drop in its investment income.

In an approximately $3.9 million budget approved in May by its diocesan council, the diocese made a series of staff and budget cuts to make up for a shortfall of more than $400,000 from initial revenue projections. The income projections included $357,800 less in pledges than the diocese anticipated from its 93 churches, plus an estimated $26,400 the diocese could lose in investment and interest income.

The 40,000-member Washington Diocese will undergo "an aggressive and rapid reduction in staff, across all levels," according to Paul Cooney, canon to the ordinary for the diocese. Three staff members were let go in February. the rest