Page 10 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
FALL 2022
presbyterian.ca
Connection
PRESBYTERIANS SHARING
Grants: A Tool for Ministry
The Raw Carrot soup kitchen, a ministry that provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals living with disAbilities and mental illness, receives funding from Presbyterians Sharing.
New Life Centre, Nepal
Proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ
Your gifts put faith into action in Canada and around the world.
Donate through your congregation or online at presbyterian.ca/donate
YES, I WANT TO SUPPORT Presbyterians Sharing
• As a monthly donor for $__________ /month • With a one-time donation of $ ____________
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Credit card #: __________________________________________ Expiry date: _____________________
Name on card: _________________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________________
50 Wynford Dr.,Toronto, ON M3C 1J7 • 1-800-619-7301
presbyterian.ca
By Karen Plater,
Stewardship & Planned Giving
Providing grants to support min- istry and mission is a significant part of the Presbyterians Sharing budget.
Grants from Presbyterians Sharinghelplaunchnewcongre- gations and faith communities, suppor t congregations engag- ing in renewal and fund strate- gic Presbyterian ministries that serve refugees, newcomers to Canada, sex workers and people with addictions, mental health is- sues, disabilities or other barriers to social engagement. A small percentage of grants suppor ts small and remote congregations/ pastoral charges with strategic reasons for helping sustain their ministries. In November, a grants committee meets to pray and reflect on what ministries might receive grants for core suppor t from Presbyterians Sharing for the following year. (All these ap- plications are approved by the presbytery before they are sub- mitted.)
Presbyterians Sharing also provides grants to the three Pres-
byterian theological colleges and helps ministers and lay leaders sharpen their skills by facilitating their participation in conferences and gatherings—both virtual and online.
Regional Resourcing grants support regional staff and/or run educational programs by presbyteries and synods. This fall, the Synod of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario is plan- ning a retreat to help members explore post-pandemic ministry. Western Han-Ca Presbytery is holding a seminar to equip elders with tools and ideas in conflict management. The Presbytery of Pictou is planning a workshop on trauma, grief and loss con- ducted by a social worker who worked with families affected by the Por tapique mass shooting. In Westminster Presbytery, a sum- mer urban camp will use original songs to engage children in faith formation.
In addition to grants provided from Presbyterians Sharing, national office staff administer grants from legacy and designat- ed funds. In the recent past, con- gregations have received support
to help run innovative discipleship and public witness programs and to purchase or upgrade technol- ogy. Presbyterian camps received special grants for training in anti- racism and to create an LGBTQI inclusive environment. Congre- gations have received grants for experimental projects, creative ministry with children and youth, and leadership skills for rural and remote ministries.
While Presbyterians Sharing has the funds to suppor t congre- gational and regional ministry in many different ways, congrega- tions, presbyteries and synods have also been successful in obtaining grants from local, re- gional and federal governments and foundations. Read about the success of one congregation on page 5. The Stewardship depar t- ment, with funds from Presbyte- rians Sharing, is happy to help congregation work on grant ap- plications.
Grants are one tool that allows us to engage in mission and min- istry across Canada and around the world. When we give our gifts to God, God accomplishes amaz- ing things.