The Diocese of Indianapolis has awarded its first round of Congregational Development Grants!
Church teams submitted applications to the Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Mission Strategy in August. The following members, appointed by Bishop Jennifer, comprise the committee: the Rev. Dr. Hilary Cooke, Chapel of the Good Shepherd, West Lafayette; the Rev. Dr. John Denson, St. Paul’s, Indianapolis; Ms. Becca Holbrook, St. John’s, Bedford; the Rev. Frank Impicciche, St. Matthew’s, Indianapolis; Ms. Deb Samples, Good Samaritan, Brownsburg; Ms. Penny Schenck, Trinity, Lawrenceburg; the Rev. Cara Spaccarelli, St. Christopher’s, Carmel; the Rev. Ben Wyatt, Church of the Nativity, Indianapolis; and co-chairs Ms. Valeria Phillips, St. Philip’s, Indianapolis; and the Rev. Dr. Gray Lesesne, Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis.
The committee invited grant applications within the following three areas: 1. Making new disciples; 2. Strategic and targeted collaborations; 3. Holy endings and new beginnings. Participation in the College for Congregational Development is a prerequisite for applying.
The Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Mission Strategy reviewed the applications and recommended grant funding to the Executive Council at its September 24 meeting. Executive Council approved these recommendations, with the following awards ranging from $2,000 – $40,000:
St. James, New Castle – $2,000 partial funding – For the creation of flags, banners, and advertising to invite and welcome others, with encouragement to also apply for capital funding from the Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships program.
St. John’s, Mt. Vernon – $3,000 full funding – For specific furniture to be used for transitional hosting in partnership with the Department of Children’s Services.
St. John’s, Speedway (in collaboration with St. Mark’s, Plainfield; St. Philip’s, Indianapolis and St. Timothy’s, Indianapolis) – $40,000 full funding – For a shared Digital Verger to help with social media posts, digital advertising, weekly communications, and updating the congregation’s websites. This will include training of lay leaders and staff to take on the duties of the Digital Verger.
St. John’s, Speedway – $15,000 partial funding – For the feasibility study of a new location for 24/7 access or other alternatives for offering programs, with encouragement to apply for matching funds from the Center for Congregations.
St. Paul’s, Evansville – $19,500 full funding – For improvements to the courtyard including a bench and watering station for walkers/runners and pets and a mobile welcome station for coffee hour and other events.
St. Peter’s, Lebanon – $20,000 full funding – For a communications consultant for one year to empower lay leaders to expand their existing Care of Creation ministries and tell their stories (gardens, apiary, worship, involvement) to the surrounding community using multiple forms of media. This will help the congregation live into their vision of the “Farm with a Church”.
St. Philip’s, Indianapolis – $15,000 partial funding – For the feasibility study of a parish-based early learning ministry with community collaborators, with encouragement to also apply for matching funds from the Center for Congregations.
One congregation applied but was not funded for this first round of grants. The committee recommended that the leaders applying for the grant consider its feasibility and sustainability, as well as other granting opportunities. They asked the parish to return with a revised application in February of 2023.
The Bishop’s Committee on Mission Strategy invites all congregations to consider submitting applications for the Spring 2023 Congregational Development Grants. The deadline for submission will be February 15, 2023. Register here to participate in the College for Congregational Development, July 16-22, 2023 at Waycross Camp & Conference Center. Contact co-chairs Gray Lesesne or Valeria Phillips for more information about Congregational Development grants.
