June 14, 2006, Columbus, Ohio – In his remarks to the House of Deputies yesterday afternoon, Episcopal Church Foundation President Donald V. Romanik thanked the Episcopal Church and DFMS for its support of ECF and its ministries.  He noted that although ECF is an independent agency, the Foundation works closely and collaboratively with officials and staff of the Episcopal Church Center.

Romanik cited some of ECF’s historical initiatives, such as providing building loans in its early days, to supporting theological education through its Fellows Program for more than 40 years, to taking on a planned giving ministry when DFMS was no longer able to do so.  “Over the years the Foundation has responded to changing needs in the Church,” noted Romanik.  He went on to add, “At our core, we seek to strengthen Episcopal entities by providing products and services that enable them to live into their mission and ministry”.

Today, the Foundation provides an array of products and services to Episcopal dioceses, congregations, and other church-related organizations that serve to strengthen both lay and ordained leadership, as well as help them develop resources for ministry through annual giving, planned giving, capital campaigns, and endowment building and management.  Publications such as Vestry Papers and Vestry Resource Guides offer practical advice on the day-to-day operations of a parish, while ECF is also working on several new initiatives to provide effective tools and resources to equip lay and clergy leadership.

“I am proud,” concluded Romanik, “to be President of an organization whose primary focus is to support the Episcopal Church at all levels by helping faithful Episcopalians like you develop the financial, informational, research, and leadership resources you need in order to respond to God’s call to mission and ministry.”