Page 31 - The Church of Ireland Apologetic for Mission?

Church which will, in almost every respect, be the task of the local Church, whether in dioceses, parishes or chaplaincies.
The centrally developed projects fall within a framework which reflects four broad strategic objectives:
• ChurchintheCommunityandtheWorld • Outreachandpresence
• Accountabilityandprofessionalism
• Resourcesandresourceutilisation
Examples of projects in progress to date include supporting select vestries with regulatory and compliance obligations, making the Constitution of the Church of Ireland more accessible to today’s members, providing parishes with the tools and teaching to link generosity with mission, producing a Handbook to guide parish administration and bringing clarity to funding opportunities within the Church.
The steering group which guides the project work consists of the two Archbishops,
the Chairperson of the RCB Executive Committee, an Honorary Secretary of the
General Synod, and senior staff representing the RCB and Synod Services.
3. Bishops’ Appeal
Bishops’ Appeal is the Church of Ireland World Aid and Development Programme. Its work falls into the following categories:
• ToeducatetheChurchathomeabout the needs and concerns of people in the less developed world and the causes of poverty;
4.
Bishops’ Appeal to support development projects and alleviate the suffering caused by disasters, both natural and man-made.
Bishops’ Appeal does not engage directly in development work itself, but channels funds through development agencies and partner churches who are already in place in areas
of need. It contributes to relief of suffering
in time of emergencies whether natural or man-made. However, the main concern is to support ongoing development in the fields of sustainable agriculture, health, including HIV/AIDS, and education in many parts of the world. It aims to enable people to have more control over their own lives and futures so that they are less dependent on others than they are today.
One bishop says that the importance of Bishops’ Appeal is not only in the amounts of money raised but in the fact that ‘the Bishops take it seriously’.
2012 Total income from all dioceses
€458,671
2012/13 Contribution (from a specimen diocese)
€131,38750 Priorities Fund
The General Synod Priorities Fund (generally known as the Priorities Fund) was established in 1980. It has supported projects within the Church of Ireland.
Every parish is asked to contribute to the Fund and the amount raised is allocated to the following categories:
• Ministry
• Retirement
• Education
• Community
• AreasofNeed
• OutreachInitiatives
From time to time, to respond to a particular need, a new category is introduced for a specified number of years.
The Priorities Fund Committee recommends allocations to the Standing Committee for
•
• •
•
ToencourageChurchmembersto examine the reasons for the problems facing the less fortunate in the world and to consider what we can do to change conditions;
ToreachoutinGod’snametothosewho need our help;
To encourage informed prayer and prayerful action aimed at strengthening the poor;
Toraisethefundsneededtoallow
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Dublin and Glendalough Annual Report
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