Parochial Report Annual Filing Information
The Parochial Report is one of the most historic and useful practices of our church. Designed by the House of Deputies’ Committee on the State of the Church and approved by the Executive Council of the General Convention, it is an annual insight into the life, ministry, finances, and membership of The Episcopal Church. While the Parochial Report is not the complete portrait of congregational life or vitality, the information you provide is indispensable as we plan for God’s mission. Thank you for your time, your thoughtfulness, and your attention to detail, particularly given the many challenges you have had to face as a church leader in the course of 2021.
The Parochial Report offers what we hope will be a valuable opportunity an opportunity to reflect on the past year. The Parochial Report can also be a great tool for helping congregations to do visioning and planning work. You will have as much assistance as you need in the filing process. These instructions are designed to provide some guidance, and if you need other help, please contact your diocesan office.
The Parochial Report is completed online at: https://reports.dfms.org. Beginning in January 2022, everyone will login into this site with a unique login (usually your email) and password. Please email the General Convention Office at pr@episcopalchurch.org if you run into any problems with the filing site. Reports are required to be submitted by March 1st of the following year.
We also recommend having at hand the attendance, membership, and financial information you will need. Additionally, the special report for 2021 includes several questions about how the congregation responded to the challenges faced in this time. In addition to quantitative questions about worship, formation, racial reconciliation, and outreach, the form again asks narrative questions regarding opportunities and challenges faced by your community. The first thing we suggest, therefore is that you read through the entire Parochial Report form, noting for yourself how – and from whom – you will assemble the information required.
Finally, if there’s some reason you are unable to file online, please check with your diocesan office. People there can assist you to complete the form online using the blank PDF form, or they may ask you to mail your completed Parochial Report to them.
Are you ready? Okay, let’s fill out the Parochial Report and file!