| Bement/Waterfield College Scholarship Grants | |
| Bement/Waterfield Educational Grants help young people who are active in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts to pursue their educational goals after secondary school. Grants may be used at accredited training and technical institutions as well as for undergraduate study at two- and four-year accredited colleges. |
| Clergy Renewal Leave Grants | |
| Research has demonstrated that study leaves provide an opportunity for growth and health for both the priest and the congregation. The priest may garner or develop new ideas and directions and may return refreshed with deeper commitment to the parish. Thus, study leaves for clergy are essential to the development of healthy, mission-focused congregations. Study leaves for clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts are available. |
| Continuing Education Grants | |
| Continuing education grants for workshops or academic courses are available to members of parishes of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Grants may be given up to $1000. It is expected that 1/3 of total cost will be paid by the Parish, 1/3 by the applicant and 1/3 considered for Diocesan Continuing Education Grant. |
| Clergy Children Educational Program | |
| This program provides a modest scholarship grant to children of parochial clergy and clergy financially supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts thereby removing them from competition with classmates from their parish who would be applying for Bement-Waterfield Education Grants. Other clergy family children who do not qualify for a grant under the program’s eligibility requirements may apply for a Bement/Waterfield Education Grant. |
| Ministry Development Grants | |
| The mission of the Ministry Development Initiatives program, new in 2016, is to assist our congregations as well as ministries ‘outside the box’ in reaching out to the unchurched in their communities. Grants range from $2000 to $10,000 and do not require a co-investment. The MDI team looks for innovative ways of engaging with the Gospel, and reaching out to underserved populations in our communities. |
| Diocesan Global Mission Grants |
| Diocesan Global Mission Grants fund short-term mission trips, supports our long-term missionaries, various projects from diocesan congregations, and our companion diocese of Kumasi in Ghana. While there are no hard and fast application deadlines, it is best to let us know what you’re planning for the calendar year to help us budget for these projects – especially for short-term mission trips. |
| Energy Audit Grants |
| The Diocesan Council has approved funding for a program to subsidize the cost of energy audits for your congregation. Grants are now available to pay for half of the cost of an energy audit for any of our churches. If you are interested in having an energy audit done on your buildings, click the link to email Canon Steve Abdow or reach him by phone at 413-737-4786, ext. 121. |
| Parish Website Matching Grant |
| Steve Abdow, Canon for Mission Resources, has allocated funds in the 2017 Diocesan budget for parish website development. We will match you dollar for dollar up to $500 dollars, and this effort is retroactive. If you’ve redesigned or created a parish website in 2017, you can send copies of your receipts to Diocesan House and we will cover ½ of the expense you incurred, up to $500. More information about the initial grant offering here. |