Church Planting and Redevelopment Grants
Resolution text
Resolved, That the Executive Council, meeting from June 8-11, 2020, approve and authorize the following, as recommended by the Task Force on Church Planting and Redevelopment and reviewed and recommended by the Joint Standing Committee on Mission Within The Episcopal Church.
New Episcopal Community Plant & Grant Budget for 2019-2021 | $2,500,000.00 |
Grants awarded in October, 2019 | ($694,500.00) |
Genesis Training Event, 2019 | ($30,000.00) |
Grants awarded in February, 2020 | ($428,500.00) |
Total remaining in triennium budget | $1,347,000.00 |
The Task Force for Church Planting and Redevelopment reviewed grant applications received by the third deadline, February 15. We request that grant funding be approved for these ministries which have already launched and for which the funding is vital to their continued success. While hoping that the Executive Council will approve funding for all of these grants, we further prioritized funding for New Episcopal Communities in three tiers:
- Top Priority - Communities that have already launched, and were previously funded with NEC grants, and whose leaders are active in the Genesis community.
- High Priority - Small Discernment grants for new communities who will use these funds to discern what kind of community will best meet the needs of their neighborhood and context in the aftermath of the COVID crisis.
- Priority - New communities that have already launched, whose leaders are in communications with the Genesis community and staff members, but that have not previously received NEC funding.
There were a significant number of other grant applications which are not being recommended to you for funding because the church plant has not yet started, its need is less significant, and/or it does not fit the definition of a new Episcopal community.
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TOP PRIORITY FOR FUNDING IN 2020
Llamados Para Mision - Cuba - $5,000 Discernment Grant
This application was reviewed by the Task Force in August 2019, and Ministry within TEC wanted to fund this ministry, but the grant could not be approved because Cuba had not yet formally been admitted as a Diocese of the Episcopal Church.
Bridges Reentry - Arizona - $20,000 Growth Grant
Bridges Reentry nurtures community, worship, wellness and mentoring initiatives with and among women who are reentering society after being incarcerated. This ministry is in active relationship with the Genesis Community, having received funding in the 2016-2018 triennium. Their leaders have attended previous Genesis Gatherings and online trainings.
Chaplains on the Harbor - Olympia - $40,000
An Episcopal ministry that offers pastoral care, worship, job training and advocacy with homeless and underserved populations. They have received two previous NEC grants, in the 2016-18 triennium, and in October, 2019. The Genesis community has much to learn from their values, commitments and best practices in this work.
Halau Wa’a - Hawaii - $30,000
A new worshiping community launched in Fall, 2019, with help from a New Episcopal Community discernment grant. Their core group continues to worship together and nurture community online throughout the COVID crisis. Their leadership has been very active in attending Genesis events and online trainings.
Mother of the Savior - Michigan - $30,000 Seed Grant
One of the only (very possibly the only) Arab-American plant in The Episcopal Church. The Task Force recommended a Discernment grant in October, 2019, and they are continuing to nurture and grow the community. Their point leader is present and active in online Genesis training events.
Total Top Priority: $125,000
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HIGH PRIORITY FOR FUNDING IN 2020
Urbana Church Plant - Maryland - $5,000 Discernment Grant
A possible mother-daughter plant in Urbana, Maryland that is several years away from launch. Their potential church planter has been assessed through a Discerning Missional Leadership Retreat. The team considers him an excellent fit for this work, and he is active in Genesis Gatherings, online trainings, and the developing circle of wisdom around missional leadership.
Episcopal Mission of Bedford/Amherst - New Hampshire - $5,000 Discernment Grant
A vision to discern a church plant or missional community in a growing suburb, in a highly “un-churched” part of the country. The visionary leader is asking what a bold and generous ministry in this area would look like. She is an active participant in Genesis online training events, and has been in frequent contact with Task Force members to learn more about values and best practices.
Total High Priority: $10,000
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PRIORITY FOR FUNDING IN 2020
Creator’s Table - Spokane - $30,000 Seed Grant
A new worshipping community started at the end of 2018, which emphasizes liturgy and the arts, story telling, and communion. The neighborhood is diverse, and many residents are at or near the poverty line. The Episcopal point leader has attended a Discerning Missional Leadership Retreat through Genesis.
Episcopal Mission of Franklin - New Hampshire - $18,551 Seed Grant
A new community that is seeking to serve the blue-collar town that the Episcopal Church “left” over twenty years ago. Currently convening small groups for dinner church and bible study, story telling and service. The point leader has attended a Discerning Missional Leadership Retreat through Genesis.
The Benedictine Way - Nebraska - $30,000 Seed Grant
A New Episcopal Community offering three paths: a Service Corps for young adults, an Oblate way and a Monastic Way. In addition, they offer regular worship and prayer to the wider community, feeding ministries, advocacy for the poor, and work with other parishes and the Diocese of Nebraska.
Total Priority Funding: $78,551
TOTAL GRANT FUNDING REQUESTED: $213,551