The Diocese of Indianapolis has awarded its second round of Congregational Development Grants.
Parish teams submitted applications to the Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Mission Strategy in March. 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; the Rev. Frank Impicciche, St. Matthew’s, Indianapolis; the Rev. Dr. Gray Lesesne, Christ Church Cathedral, 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. Becca Holbrook, St. John’s, Bedford; and Ms. Valeria Phillips, St. Philip’s, 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 requirement to apply.
The Bishop’s Advisory Committee on Mission Strategy reviewed the applications and recommended grant funding to the Executive Council at its May 20 meeting. Executive Council approved these recommendations, with the following awards:
- St Christopher’s, Carmel: $20,730 full funding
Gravity Leadership Academy : Two cohorts of eight participants that Gravity Leadership coaches will lead through a 20-week adaptation of their year-long program with two apprenticing coaches. This model will guide cohorts and train leaders for years to come. - Holy Family, Fishers; St. Christopher’s, Carmel; St. Francis, Zionsville; St. Michael’s, Noblesville: $10,600 full funding
Art Class Collaboration : Artist Kevin James Wilson will develop a 6-week curriculum and teach the art class series for middle school youth (~12) at each of the church locations during the 2023-2024 school year. - Trinity, Indianapolis: $25,975
Creating Reconciling Leaders : Project includes a 2-day workshop at Waycross on the 12 Habits of a Reconciler, facilitated by Canon Sarah Snyer of Rose Castle. Gathering will include members of Trinity Church, Trinity Service Corps Fellows, and select young adults from around the diocese and state through Butlers’ Peace lab. A group of 25 will be invited to attend a 5-day intensive at Rose Cathel in England. - Trinity, Lawrenceburg #1: $4,625 full funding
Community Kit : To create a greater presence in the community, a prepared “Community Kit” that allows the congregation to set up easily which includes a lightweight canopy, signage, shirts, chairs, supply storage, etc.
Two congregations and one collaborative group applied for funding that was not granted, based on feasibility, development, and sources of funding. In communicating the recommendations of Mission Strategy and decisions of Executive Council to applicants, members of the Bishop’s staff provided feedback about the grant applications, possibilities for development, and alternate sources of funding available.
Funding statistics: Available funding: $150,000
Total funding requested: $257,930.00
Range of funding requests: $4,625.00 – $85,000 Total recommended funding: $61,930.00
The approach for making recommendations was to consider each application for feasibility and connection to fulfill mission strategy categories.
Members of the Bishop’s Committee on Mission Strategy are meeting with leaders of every congregation in the diocese to discuss the opportunities they see for development in their parishes in the areas of: Making New Disciples, Strategic and Targeted Collaborations, and Holy Endings and New Beginnings. Contact co-chairs Becca Holbrook or Valeria Phillips for more information about these conversations or for more information about Congregational Development grants.
