Resolution EC18to22MW 060

Resolved, That the Executive Council, meeting April 20-23, 2022 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, approve and authorize the following Constable Fund Grants, as recommended by the Roanridge Trust Grant Review Committee and recommended by the Joint Standing Committee on Mission Within The Episcopal Church. The 11 grants listed below total $232,645.00.

The distribution of the grants is subject to the full payment of the 2021 diocesan assessment or granted diocesan waiver.

1. Minnesota: Connecting Rural Young Adults With Ministry Internships, $15,000.00

This program is designed to increase the amount of rural young adult ministry by helping rural church leaders shift from thinking of young adult ministry as something done "to young adults" towards something done "by young adults". We will help rural leaders identify relationships and resources already present within their contexts so that rural young adults can receive formation opportunities and provide ministry within their specific contexts.

2. Maine: Saviour’s, Bar Harbor, ME, Solid Rock: Equipping Maine with Great Preachers, $19,655.00

The desired outcome of the training program is for lay leaders to write and preach three to four lectionary-based sermons annually, across no fewer than three years. The focus for learning will be pastoral, that is, to equip participants to communicate not only their own vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ, but also, to inspire the people in their congregations so that all will see and describe how the Holy Spirit is moving among us, in our faith communities, and in the towns and villages where we live. In addition to the focus on preaching, ultimately we envisage a diocesan community who will grow in our discipleship with Jesus Christ and in our capacity to share the Good News, both words and actions in our everyday lives.

3. North Dakota: Northwest Regional Ministry in North Dakota, $20,000.00

The Diocese of North Dakota is a microcosm of the Episcopal Church in that it faces challenges developing sustainable ministry models for struggling rural congregations. building upon the good start initiated in August 2021 with the support of an initial Roanridge grant, The Northwest Regional Ministry will continue to address the needs that church leaders have for sacramental, liturgical, pastoral, and congregational development support.

4. New York: Episcopal Futures: Rural Faith Project, $45,725.00

Episcopal Futures is an initiative for collaborative transformation. We seek to become a hub of rural faith leadership and innovation in the Diocese of New York.  We are looking to partner with three to five congregations in Ulster County, New York and Dutchess County, New York. We will use our Learning Community and Coaching models to equip and support 15 faith, small business, and nonprofit/outreach ministry leaders over an 18-month period.   The curriculum is … based on the principles of community growth, asset based community development, and evangelism.

5. Arizona, Province VIII: St. John’s, Bisbee, AZ and St. Stephen’s, Douglas, AZ, Bilingual Catechism, $7,400.00

St. John's Episcopal Church (Bisbee) and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (Douglas) in Arizona, with ministry partners in Sonora, [has] included a focus on catechism for all ages and on opportunities for youth to participate in ministry. Our bilingual catechism has helped to introduce our congregants, those new to The Episcopal Church and those who have been faithful members for years, to the history of the early Church, the diversity of the Christian family by learning about other denominations and has deepened their knowledge about The Episcopal Church and our place within the Anglican Communion and the holy catholic Church.

6. Colorado: Patrick’s, Pagosa Springs, CO: "Being With" Facilitators Training, $7,300.00

This training program seeks to help move St. Patrick's congregants from a community that is committed to "doing for," into a community that has the skills to "be with" our neighbors, particularly accompanying neighbors in need from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. The training program also seeks to equip St. Patrick's members (who are polarized, particularly around political issues) to be in relationship with one another, even across political and class differences.

7. Western Missouri: Partners in Presence, $20,265.00

Partners in Presence is a program for equipping leaders, both lay and ordained, to posture their congregations toward faithful and effective Christian witness in their respective communities. "Partners" refers to the collaborative work of all Christian ministry, especially noted in ecclesiologies like that of The Episcopal Church, where our very identity is one of ministering together under the guidance of our diocesan episcopal presence, not siloed in our own churches; therefore, the shared work of ministry acknowledges that some persons and congregations have gifts to serve particular roles, and equitable partnerships allow for the "slack" to be picked up by others whose giftings meet the need. "Presence" acknowledges that ecclesial partnerships are an expression of the unified work of the Triune Godhead and, accordingly, are not guided by self-preservation for selfish sakes but are guided by the missio Dei to incarnate a visible witness to God's work in the various communities served by our congregations.

8. Atlanta: Appleton Episcopal Ministries, Macon, GA, Serving All God's People: Revitalization of Ministry through Reconciliation in Middle Georgia, $20,000.00

The goal of this training program is to lift up at least 2-5 members in each parish to help organize and deliver worship and formation activities on a weekly basis, to attract and retain new and possibly younger members, and to work cooperatively to maintain and expand community ministry in the rural areas in and around Fort Valley and Montezuma. Part of this expanded ministry will explore the founding of new Episcopal worship communities for Hispanic residents. Lay leaders with Spanish language skills or a desire to serve in new communities where English is a second language can help a Hispanic deacon and an already-identified lay worship leader to serve new audiences. Lay leaders will also support and augment the efforts of a chaplain for campus ministry at Fort Valley State University funded by Appleton Episcopal Ministries and possibly other donors as necessary.

9. Montana: Advocacy Training and Reduction of Carbon Footprint for Rural Montana Episcopal Parishes, $15,600.00

Hire a consultant/trainer from Montana Interfaith Power and Light (MT IPL) to work with rural parishes of the Montana Episcopal Diocese to determine their carbon footprint, learn how to advocate about environmental issues, explore opportunities for carbon reducing practices in their churches and build relationships with communities of faith regarding environmental issues.  The training program is for all those who are active in the semi-rural and rural parishes and will be led by a consultant/trainer.

10. Missouri: Requiem or Renaissance for Rural Congregations, $26,700.00.

Requiem or Renaissance is an 18-month discernment and skills-building program for all rural congregations currently receiving diocesan financial aid.  In this program, our aided rural congregations will enter a discernment process that will help them determine God's call to them: to a Requiem, a holy ending of this congregation's ministry in this location at this time, or a Renaissance, a church re-plant with a new vision.

11. Ohio, Province V: Church of the Redeemer, Lorain, OH, Community Formation Coordinator, $35,000.00

This new position will be responsible for curriculum development around theology and creation care for all ages, as well as deeper integration of our urban farm with our parish, our watershed, and the natural environment. This position will work with the urban farmer and priest to create as well as facilitate garden education, youth engagement, community workshops, garden-based bible studies, assisting in regular farm church services, a week-long youth summer camp, farmer's markets, and community meal outreach. This position will also increase community knowledge of the Wednesday and Thursday hot meal programs and expand and organize services and our volunteer base. The Community Outreach & Formation Coordinator will also assist in increasing partnerships with local businesses and promoting creation care into our local food systems.