July 1, 2010
Dear Mission-Minded Lay and Clergy leaders,
This is to advise you as to the work of the 2011 Congregational Development Investment Team that has set the process of allocating financial resources that are available to all the congregations of the diocese. We hope Diocesan Convention will approve similar amounts as were available in 2010 - $40,000 of Congregational Development Investments to be allocated for 2011 & $28,000 in Regional Ministry Initiatives for congregations looking for financial assistance. If there is a new mission initiative you are planning for next year, this is the place to look for a diocesan co-investment.
First, at the links below you'll find a list of the requirements and criteria by which we make decisions. Second, there is a link to an application which clearly reflects what information we are looking for in raising up healthy, mission focused congregations ministering in the 21st century. All congregations receiving an investment should plan on sharing what they did, what happened and what they learned.
We remind you and the leadership of your church to be bold and dream of an area of new mission development for 2011. These funds are earmarked for new initiatives and responses to God’s call in your local ministry setting. You know your context for ministry best, and we wish to work with you as you engage a mission priority that cannot be ignored.
In 2010, some of the projects funded involved youth ministry, a neighborhood Fiesta and Christian formation projects. Please note that projects over $10,000 are rarely funded.
The final deadline – October 15, 2010
This will allow the team time to review all the requests, make the allocations and set up the process for 2012 investments. The mandate for the team remains to support churches with specific projects or proposals that strengthen healthy mission-focused ministry in the Diocese.
Please review the application and information at the links below.
If you need assistance in preparing the application, call one of us.
Congregations will be notified by early December, 2010 if they are receiving funds.
Forward the completed and signed application to the:
Congregational Development Investment Team
37 Chestnut Street Springfield, MA 01103
Faithfully,
Ms. Bonnie Johnson (All Saints’, Worcester)
Ms. Lynda Lemanis (St. Luke’s, Springfield)
Ms. Beth Washburn (Trinity, Milford)
Mr. Al Symonds (St. Stephen’s, Pittsfield)
Mr. Crawford Lincoln (Christ Church Cathedral, Springfield)
The Rev. Nancy Strong, (St. Matthew’s, Worcester)
Ms. Melinda Reid (Grace, Amherst)
The Ven. William Coyne, staff liaison
