A: Parishes and dioceses work together in a structure where parishes are local congregations and the diocese is a regional collection of parishes led by a bishop. The collaboration between parishes and the diocese includes shared governance through annual conventions, where parish delegates elect diocesan leaders and approve the budget, and through the diocese providing pastoral care, administrative support, and mission-oriented programs to its parishes.

Governance and leadership:

      • Diocesan leadership: The bishop oversees the diocese, and clergy and lay representatives from parishes help lead and manage the diocese's work, often through a council or other administrative bodies. For example, Reverend Ashley serves on the Diocesan Standing Committee and Don Wood serves on the Diocesan Council.

      • Annual conventions: Parishes send delegates to the diocesan convention to vote on the budget, elect deputies to the national General Convention, and choose members for the Council of Advice.

      • Covenant of Ministry: The relationship between a parish and its leader, particularly a priest-in-charge, is formalized through a covenant that outlines the responsibilities of both parties and is often facilitated by the diocese.

        Support and ministry:

      • Pastoral care: The bishop provides pastoral care and, in some cases, sacramental

        support, which may be delegated to another bishop when a diocese is in need or has

        specific circumstances, like during COVID-19.

      • Administrative support: Dioceses offer administrative and financial education/support

        (such as payroll) to parishes, including guidelines for compensation and benefits.

      • Mission and outreach: The diocese helps coordinate and support mission and outreach

        programs that are often carried out at the parish level. Relationship dynamics:

        • Hierarchical structure: Parishes are the foundational, local part of the church, while the diocese is the next level of organization, encompassing many parishes in a specific geographic area.

  • Mutual support: The relationship is intended to be one of mutual support, with the diocese providing resources and oversight and parishes providing the local community for worship and mission.

  • National connection: Through the diocesan convention's election of deputies to the General Convention, the local parish helps shape the broader direction of the national Episcopal Church.

    To answer the next part of the question, parishes pay an assessment to the diocese to fund shared diocesan-level services, administration, and ministries that benefit the entire region, such as clergy support (salaries, benefits, pensions), legal services, education, and outreach to the poor. This contribution is a percentage of the parish's income and allows for centralized support and coordination across all parishes in the diocese.

    What the assessment pays for:

  • Central administration: The assessment funds the day-to-day operations of the central

    diocesan offices, including staff and facilities.

  • Clergy support: It helps cover costs for clergy, such as medical insurance and pension

    plans.

  • Education and evangelization: Funds support diocesan-wide efforts in education,

    religious instruction, and outreach to various communities, including the poor,

    immigrants, and incarcerated.

  • Specialized ministries: Assessments support ministries and services that a single parish

    might not be able to run on its own, such as a diocesan tribunal or legal counsel.

  • Shared services: Some dioceses use assessment funds for services like an office of communications or historical archive upkeep that are provided to all parishes. How the assessment is calculated:

  • Percentage of income: The assessment is typically a percentage of the parish's "normal operating income," which includes most regular donations, but not bequests or other specific designated funds.

  • Varies by diocese: The specific percentage and calculation can vary from diocese to diocese.

    Our Bishop makes an annual visitation to St. Luke’s. These visits further demonstrate the love and care the parish and diocese share. It is a wonderful thing to belong to a church where all use their spiritual gifts to bless one another and be Christ's hands in our community. Between the diocese and parish, we all have a role to play and work to do.

    Author: The Reverend Ashley Wright

    •