The Creative Ministry Fund, which was created by the Diocese of California as part of the Jubilate Deo initiative, has announced the awarding of six more grants. Ten grants were awarded on June 25th, with a total funding of $84,250. Six grants were awarded on October 23rd, with a total funding of $59,610. Since Creative Ministry grants are matching funds, these awards represent some $287,720 in funding toward new and creative ministries in the Diocese.
The grants were awarded to congregations from throughout the Diocese, and included parishes and missions of every size. Grants awarded in October ranged from $2,610 (for a new music ministry with children at Holy Family, Half Moon Bay) to $25,000 (toward the planning, development and implementation of a multi-cultural evangelism program at Church of the Incarnation, San Francisco). Other creative ministries funded include a community arts program at St. Aidan’s in San Francisco, the expansion of a thriving choir school at All Saints, San Leandro, a Diocesan-wide youth music project in partnership with Grace Cathedral, and the expansion of a new family service at Transfiguration, San Mateo.
According to the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, Officer for Congregational Development, these awards represent the discernment and planning of scores of people from throughout the Diocese and beyond: “When the committee met, they were joined spiritually by many people from throughout the Diocese who had prayed, planned, strategized, and dreamed about creative ministries. Over 100 different people were directly involved in the site interviews alone. To have so many people in our diocese in conversation about new and creative ministries is itself a wonderful accomplishment during this Jubilate Deo time. And we have just begun!”
Committee members include Ms. Kathleen Crisp, The Rev. Mary Moore Gaines, The Rev. Scott Hayashi, The Rev. Bob Honeychurch, Rev. Mark Stanley, Ms. Laura Gianello and Mr. Michael Diamond. In accordance with the committee’s commitment to transparency and fairness, no member was a part of any discussion or review of an application in which his or her congregation had an interest.
The next Creative Ministry grants will be made in the summer of 2004. For further information about the Creative Ministry Fund, contact Canon Barlowe at michaelb@diocal.org, visit the Congregational Development website at www.condev.diocal.org, or call him at 415-869-7825.
October 2003 Creative Ministry Fund Grants
All Saints
San Leandro $10,500 Expansion of choir school
Grace Cathedral $5,000 Diocesan youth music project
Holy Family $2,610 Music ministry to children
Incarnation
San Francisco $25,000 Multi-cultural evangelism
St. Aidan’s
San Francisco $10,000 Community arts program
Transfiguration
San Mateo $6,500 Expansion of family teaching liturgy
hello I am the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Trenton Tennessee. I would like some more information about recieving grants. The purpose of getting a grant is to give music scholatships to students who are music majors and non-music majors but the requirement to have a 3.0 Gpa and participate in a music ensemble. The next topic is equipment at the church such as a music library and musical instruments and etc. Please help in this matter thanks alot for your time and energy
Lewis L. Thompson
Minister of Music
First Baptist Church
Trenton, Tennessee