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April 19, 2007
A PASTORAL LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE DIOCESE OF WESTERN MICHIGAN to be read according to Title III.12.3b. The Bishop requests it be read on Sunday, April 29, 2007.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Many of you have heard through the Episcopal News Service and other news and local sources about the decision to sell the Cathedral of Christ the King. In order for you understand how we have arrived at this day, it is important that you know the course of events related to finances and other matters that have resulted in the decision to sell the Cathedral.
I. A long journey - When the Cathedral was founded, a Cathedral Corporation was formed to be the responsible party for the care and maintenance of the building and grounds. This Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Diocese of Western Michigan. At one time over $1.5 million fund existed to support the operations of the Cathedral. At my first Cathedral Corporation meeting in 2002, then Chancellor Ward Kuhn identified the financial trouble the Corporation was experiencing and its future potential direction. Cathedral Corporation meetings were immediately increased from once a year to four times a year, and this financial concern has been raised at every meeting.
I. Rent - As a way of bolstering the financial viability of the Cathedral, the Convention agreed to increase the rent to $75,000 in 2003. In 2004 $80,000 was paid to the Cathedral Corporation to continue to assist with its finances. However in 2005 the assessment was made that the Diocesan Budget could no longer offer provide a higher level of support, and the rent was lowered to $30,000, an amount determined to be consistent with the space usage of the diocesan offices. When the diocesan offices were moved in 2006, the Convention voted to no longer pay rent to the Cathedral. II. Diocesan Offices - Linda Puckett, a consultant from the Church Pension Group, came to the diocese in April 2005 at my request. Her charge was to advise and counsel me on staff and office configuration. Her report recommended a move out of the Cathedral based on the inappropriateness of the space for effective staff development and community. The move to our new office space occurred in March 2006. III. Diocesan spending priorities - At a Special Diocesan Convention in April 2005, spending priorities for the diocese were voted in the following order: first, support of the national church at the level of 10-15%; second, support of the paid staff/volunteer commissions and committees [these were two separate items and were considered equally important]; and lastly support of the Cathedral. At the October 2005 regular meeting of the Convention, budgetary amendments to provide additional funding to the Cathedral were defeated. IV. Fund raising feasibility - During the Fall of 2006, the Breton Group conducted a feasibility study regarding potential funds that could be raised to sustain the Cathedral Corporation into the future. No one interviewed for the study was willing to contribute time or money for the long term support of the Cathedral.
I. Conclusions -The mandate of the October 2005 Diocesan Convention Resolution R-1 resolved: “ 2. As of January 1, 2006 the Parish Church of Christ the King, or another entity recognized by canon and satisfactory to the Standing Committee of the diocese, assumes full responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the facility, including appropriate insurance, and shall, not later than June 30, 2006, present a viable financial plan, satisfactory to the Executive Council of the diocese, for the continued payment of upkeep and rent for, or purchase of, the facility. 4. In the event that the parish church of Christ the King, or another entity recognized by canon, is unable to present a viable financial plan on or before June 30, 2006, the diocese shall proceed with preparations for the sale of the property at 2600 Vincent Avenue in Portage. a. In the event the property is sold, a portion of the proceeds of the sale shall be designated to help finance the relocation of the Parish Church of Christ the King. 5. Be it further resolved that Resurrection Garden be held, at its present location, in perpetuity by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan.”
In spite of an extension for the presentation of a viable financial plan, no such plan was forthcoming. Therefore the Executive Council has moved forward with the Resolution passed in October 2005 and quoted above. A contract for the sale of the Cathedral and land (except for Resurrection Garden) has been signed, the sale price being $1,275,000; the organ and other significant items will be sold separately. There will be a closing worship service for the diocese. A deconsecration service will be held when the building becomes vacant.
It is always difficult and sad to lose a resource such as the Cathedral. Yet as Christian people we believe in resurrection and new life. As challenging as these decisions have been in our corporate life, we must believe that God will make all things new, and hold fast to the hope that new life will be born as a result of the loss of the Cathedral. Please keep the Cathedral Corporation and the Parish Church of Christ the King in your prayers during these next weeks and months.
Sincerely, +Robert R. Gepert The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert VIII Western Michigan |
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