1210 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103  ·   (314) 231-1220  ·     Contact Us

Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
  • Welcome
    • About Us
    • Episcopal Beliefs
    • Diocesan History
    • Governance
    • Bishop & Staff
    • Find a Church
    • COVID-19
  • Ministries
    • All Ministries
    • Creation Care
    • Evangelism, Formation & Discernment
    • Pastoral Care & Spirituality
    • Social Justice
    • Women's Ministry
    • Affiliated Ministries
  • Clergy
    • Priests
    • Deacons
    • Supply Clergy
    • Retired Clergy
    • Clergy Resources
    • Clergy Job Openings
  • Resources
    • Bishop's Annual Appeal
    • Lent 2023
    • 2022 Diocesan Convention
    • Strategic Visioning
    • Financial
    • Forms
    • Parish Leadership
    • Worship
    • All Resources
  • Connect
    • Communications
    • News
    • Events
    • Calendar
    • Branding & Logo
    • Diocesan Shop
    • Strategic Visioning
    • Lay Job Openings
  • Give

Diocesan Investment Trust

Purpose of the Diocesan Investment Trust (DIT)

The Diocesan Investment Trust serves various purposes.

  • First, the DIT provides parishes with the opportunity to invest their funds in institutional vehicles that have been carefully screened for performance, cost, and purpose, and which are not available to individuals.
  • Second, parishes know that their investments are overseen by the trustees.
  • Finally, the DIT is committed to offering investments that meet socially responsible screens, achieving acceptable market rate of returns (net of fees) or meeting benchmarks.

Structure of the DIT

The Board of Trustees for the DIT is comprised of five voting members (representing various parishes within the Diocese) and two ex-officio members (the Bishop and the Treasurer of the Diocese). The funds of the DIT are professionally managed with oversight by the trustees. The trustees, who serve without compensation, typically have business, finance, or legal experience and more often than not serve on a number of outside boards.

Current trustees are:

  • Kathleen Sherby, Chair
    St. Michael & St. George, Clayton
  • Jim Perch, Vice-Chair
    Grace Episcopal Church, Jefferson City
  • Steve Barney
    Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis
  • Gerald Cooper
    Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Webster Groves
  • Ron Webb
    Calvary Church, Columbia
  • Al Ludwig
    Diocesan Treasurer
  • The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson2021 DIT Audit
    Bishop of Missouri

Investment Choices within the DIT

There are currently four investment choices within which parishes may allocate their funds.

  • The first is a domestic equity investment. Currently this is in TIAA-CREF’s Social Choice Fund (TISCX). This fund invests in stocks that pass two main social screens: the fund excludes companies whose major source of revenue comes from alcohol, tobacco, gambling, weapons production or nuclear power; and remaining companies are evaluated on a number of issues including environmental stewardship, human rights, community relations, employee relations, workforce diversity, product safety and quality, and corporate governance. These guidelines are closely aligned with those established by The Episcopal Church.
  • The second choice parishes have is a bond investment. Here the vehicle is the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund (VBTLX).
  • The third choice parishes have is an international equity fund option, which is the Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DFSPX.
  • The fourth choice is a basic money market option.

Read the 2021 DIT Audit

Procedures

Participants may allocate their assets to the bond, equity, international equity, or money market funds as they see fit and may change their allocation from time to time as circumstances dictate. TIAA-CREF limits us to one trade date per month. Investment and redemption requests are processed by TIAA-CREF on the 15th of each month. All requests go through the Diocesan Office and need to be received prior to the 15th in order to be processed that month.

Share this page: Diocesan Investment Trust

For more info, contact:

Canon Desiree Brattin
Canon for Finance & Administration
314-231-1220, ext. 1371 
Rita Benson
Finance Assistant & Benefits Administration
314-231-1220, ext. 1384 

Canon Desiree Brattin

Canon for Finance & Administration
314-231-1220, ext. 1371 |

Desiree has been a member of the Bishop's staff in the Diocese of Missouri since 1994. She has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and was given the title of Canon by Bishop Deon Johnson in 2020. She is married to Travis Brattin and has two children.

Rita Benson

Finance Assistant & Benefits Administration
314-231-1220, ext. 1384 |

Rita has worked for the Diocese of Missouri since 2011. She has a bachelor of science degree in business administration, with an emphasis in finance. Before coming to the diocese, Rita worked as a software computer specialist contractor for IBM and as an accounting coordinator for a local broadcasting company. Rita is married to Lewis Benson and the couple has two children and one grandson. Rita is from a large family and absolutely loves family gatherings!

Rita's duties include:

  • Changes in health, life, and disability insurance benefits, open enrollment, CPG
  • Changes in employee status
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • General check requests
  • Accounts receivables and payables
  • UTO Grants
  • Diocesan program financial reports
  • Parochial reports
  • Background checks
  • Diocesan payroll (not individual parish payroll)
Financial Compensation and Benefits Diocesan Investment Trust Grants and Loans Parochial Report


Contact Us

© 2023 Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
1210 Locust St. · St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 231-1220
Privacy Policy · Powered by Membership Vision

  View Entire Post

Service Times

Location

Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
1210 Locust St.
St. Louis, MO 63103

Contact Us
(314) 231-1220

Newsletter Signup

Welcome from Our Bishop Find a Church Diocesan Calendar Clergy Resources

We believe in a loving, life-giving and liberating God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God loves you -- no exceptions!

We invite you to be a part of our faith journey.

The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson is the leader of our diocese. He was elected as our bishop on Nov. 23, 2019, and ordained on June 13, 2020, at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis.

Learn More

Approximately 10,000 people throughout Eastern and Central Missouri find their faith home with us. About three-quarters of our members are in the metro St. Louis area, but our diocese reaches much farther than St. Louis. You will find more than 40 Episcopal churches, missions and faith communities as far north as Kirksville, as far west as Columbia, and as far south as Poplar Bluff (and many points in between).

If you are looking for a church home or a just a faith community to visit, we invite you to explore The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri.

Find a Church


Detailed Calendar

Suggest an Event

Specifically of interest to the ordained clergy canonically resident or licensed in this diocese.

  • Diocesan Forms Library
  • Diocesan Clergy Directory
  • Current diocesan supply priest list
  • Missouri Clergy Association email list

Do you have a question or need more information?

Send a message to the Offices of the Bishop and we'll get back with you soon!


Contact Us Bishop and Staff Find a Church