Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 28, 1995 TAG: 9501300041
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Preliminary projections call for using about half of the money - which would be raised over three years - for immediate capital improvements to the diocesan headquarters in Roanoke and the Phoebe Needles retreat center at Callaway. The other half would be designated for an endowment to fund future mission work.
Discussion of that plan is expected to dominate much of today's work of the council, which represents more than 60 congregations in 32 Western Virginia counties.
In remarks prepared for Friday night's meeting, Bishop A. Heath Light urged the clergy and lay delegates to support the capital-fund campaign, even though the ``the economy is uncertain'' and he plans to retire in 12 to 18 months. Both of those factors might represent challenges to a big fund drive, but the diocese has ``a history of ability to do two such things concurrently. We can walk and chew gum at the same time,'' he said.
The fund-raising campaign would not begin until after approval of a more detailed proposal by the 1996 annual council.
Delegates will vote today on an annual budget of $808,000, about $48,000 smaller than last year's.
They also will consider a request to deed some church buildings and land in Amherst County to the Monican indian tribe. The location ``is thought of by the Monican people as their ancestral homeland, their holy place,'' Light said. The deed would provide that the diocese have access to the property for church purposes.
The council concludes Sunday.
by CNB