On Feb. 27, the Northeastern region launched a new ministry of grant making. Twenty $500 grants have been made available to Disciples congregations in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey in 2020.
“The grants will be used to foster creativity in working with the mission of the congregation as it relates to youth or seniors,” explains regional minister Rev. Thad Allen. “Each grant will be contextual and will seek to honor the needs of the local church.”
This grant program also serves as a “very real and visible reminder of the saints of the Williamsburg Christian Church, who upon closing their visible ministry, have made these resources possible,” celebrates Allen. “We hope that these grants will be entrepreneurial in nature and spark new initiatives.”
This Brooklyn congregation established a living memorial fund with the Christian Church Foundation last year. Read more about their story here.
To apply for a grant, congregations should send a one-page project description to Rev. Allen, who will share it with a regional selection committee. Congregations will report on their funded project at the next regional assembly.
“We’re very excited that the Northeastern region is able to offer these grants,” celebrates regional moderator Ron Strong. “When the Williamsburg church closed, we looked for a way to honor that congregation in a way that would enhance ministry in the region as a result of their gift. These grants are intended to put funds directly into the hands of local congregations, enhancing existing ministries and encouraging creativity in envisioning new ministries.”
This program is a clear example of the important role that regional ministries play in the life of our Church. Without the regional office to support Williamsburg in its transition, and offer these local grants, this additional funding for ministry wouldn’t be possible.
Keeping the process simple and accessible is important, shares Rev. Allen. “The goal is to get the money ‘on the street’ and working for Christ’s people” as soon as possible.