New Church Life March/April 2016 | Page 75

  the Church – not just from Advancement but also from the Administration. There was good news with the budget, including a surplus of almost $300,000 through the first six months of the 2015-16 fiscal year. Among the factors were better than expected annual fund results, including several major gifts, and the fact that the Advancement staff has not yet been replaced. boynton beach retreat: bishop’s report At an informal session after lunch during the Boynton Beach Retreat, January 18-21, in Florida, the Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith gave a brief report and answered questions as Executive Bishop of the Church and Chancellor of the Academy of the New Church. Since Brian Blair, President of Bryn Athyn College, would be speaking at the banquet later that week (see his address on page 143), Bishop Keith said little about the College except that it is moving toward a balanced budget after many lean years. It has already maxed out dormitory space and will be building two new dormitories to be ready for the 2016-17 school year, paid for by a private donation. The Secondary Schools also are close to a balanced budget, after much hard work. Glencairn Museum is getting national and international attention for its collection of religious artifacts. A scholar in England says it is the best museum of its kind in the United States. The Christmas Nativities display, featuring nativities from all over the world, was so successful that Glencairn had to double its tours. Cairnwood Estate has been wrestling with the potential issue of samesex weddings, with an eye toward minimizing legal risks while preserving our doctrinal beliefs. The unanimous decision of the Cairnwood Board was to discontinue all weddings, but not receptions and other events. In the General Church, Bishop Keith said, many of our congregations are going strong. There is not as much growth because small families are becoming the norm, and many couples are not marrying until after age 30. After years of cutting staff and budgets, the General Church is able to start adding programs again. In the international church, the Ivory Coast is doing well, with a growing Theological School. The Church is growing in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, but these are dangerous countries. Progress is being made in India, Korea, Japan and China. Thanks to contributions to Children in Crisis – which can be made 177