In order to know who you are, you need to look at where you have been. A good place to begin a congregational self-study is by looking at your trends in membership, average worship attendance, and financial giving.
A new on-line tool from the Congregational Development office makes this easy.
The source of the info: your parochial reports. Check out the trends...
From our friends at the national church center, here's the place to go for pledges, average Sunday attendance, and baptized membership (1992-2002, the latest available data right now). CLICK HERE
The Creative Ministry Fund of the Episcopal Diocese of California has announced the awarding of five new grants, with a total funding of $57,850. Since its inception as a part of the Diocese’s Jubilate Deo initiative, the Creative Ministry Fund has now made a total of 21 grants. Because the Creative Ministry grants are matching funds, these awards represent some $403,420 in funding toward new and creative ministries in the Diocese.
The latest grants were awarded to congregations from around the Diocese, and included parishes and missions of every size. The most recent grants awarded ranged from $1,200 (for a pastoral outreach program to seniors at Grace Church, Martinez) to $25,000 (toward the planning, development and implementation of a collaborative elders ministry at St. John’s, Oakland). Other creative ministries funded include the development of an alternative liturgy at Christ Church, Alameda; implementation of a community outreach initiative at St. Alban’s, Albany; and the development of a leadership coaching program at St. James’, San Francisco.
These awards represent the discernment and work of well over 100 people from throughout the Diocese: The success of the Creative Ministry Fund lies not only in the financial support offered congregations, but also includes the creative discernment and cooperation among those involved in evaluating the proposals. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of the Creative Ministry Fund means that creative projects in one congregation often inspire new ministries elsewhere.
Committee members include Ms. Kathleen Crisp, The Rev. Mary Moore Gaines, The Rev. Scott Hayashi, The Rev. Bob Honeychurch, Ms. Laura Gianello, Mr. Michael Diamond and The Rev. Kathy Trapani. At our June 24th meeting, the committee was also assisted by The Rev. Susan Parsons. 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 on October 25, 2004. The deadline for submitting grant applications is September 23, 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.