Northeastern region offers ministry grants to congregations

News from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the US and Canada

May 6, 2020 COVID-19 resources available The Office of the General Minister and President has compiled a collection of resources and statements from Church leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are updating this page with more resources as available. Recently added: Programming ideas for graduating seniors from Disciples Home Missions' Ministries Across Generations. PLEASE READ IF YOUR CONGREGATION OR MINISTRY FILED FOR THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM It has come to our attention that one of our ministries may have used the General Assembly’s EIN in filing an application for the Paycheck Protection Program with the Small Business Administration. Please review your application form and if in the box titled Business TIN (EIN, SSN) the number starts with 35-08 please contact John Goebel, Vice President of Finance, immediately at 317.650.7543 so we can help you get the correct information to the SBA. Northeastern region offers ministry grants to congregations On Feb. 27, the Northeastern region launched a new ministry of grant making. Twenty $500 grants have been made available to Disciples congregations in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey in 2020. “The grants will be used to foster creativity in working with the mission of the congregation as it relates to youth or seniors,” explains regional minister Rev. Thad Allen. “Each grant will be contextual and will seek to honor the needs of the local church.” This grant program also serves as a “very real and visible reminder of the saints of the Williamsburg Christian Church, who upon closing their visible ministry, have made these resources possible,” celebrates Allen. “We hope that these grants will be entrepreneurial in nature and spark new initiatives.” This Brooklyn congregation established a living memorial fund with the Christian Church Foundation last year. Read more about their story here. To apply for a grant, congregations should send a one-page project description to Rev. Allen, who will share it with a regional selection committee. Congregations will report on their funded project at the next regional assembly. “We're very excited that the Northeastern Region is able to offer these grants,” celebrates regional moderator Ron Strong. “When the Williamsburg church closed, we looked for a way to honor that congregation in a way that would enhance ministry in the region as a result of their gift. These grants are intended to put funds directly into the hands of local congregations, enhancing existing ministries and encouraging creativity in envisioning new ministries.” Read more Invitation to join in prayer God of cooperation and sharing, we thank you for the region of Pennsylvania and its good work with its neighboring regions. Cover them with your love and strength as they move through the restrictions and loss related to the COVID-19 so they can continue to do your work in their communities. Amen Next cycle of NBA COVID response grants starts soon Submitted by National Benevolent Association To offer a rapid and impactful response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the National Benevolent Association is offering grant funding to support Disciples-related ministries that are working locally in response to this crisis. With this funding, we seek to offer relief to ministries that have been detrimentally impacted and to support new projects created in service to those suffering because of the pandemic. Our second cycle of funding begins July 1 and we encourage all interested organizations to begin their application as soon as possible. All Disciples-related health and social services ministries and congregation-affiliated projects in the United States and Canada are invited to apply. Eligible applicants must demonstrate in detail their financial need for support related to COVID-19. For more information and to apply, visit NBAcares.org/covid-19-grants. Learn more General Minister and President offers census reminder In the midst of all we're doing to respond to COVID-19, General Minister and President Rev. Teresa Hord Owens reminds us that 2020 is a Census year in the United States. Click on the logo to the right to see her video message. Future planning by governments, nonprofits and others for emergencies is directly affected by the numbers from this census. Fill out the quick form at 2020census.gov to make a difference for your community for the next 10 years! Watch video Other News Christian Church Foundation elects three new board members National Council of Churches releases statement on the future of the church National Convocation search for interim administrative secretary extended until June 1 Lexington Theological Seminary opens search for director of admissions Submit news How to prepare your church building for an extended period of inactivity Submitted by Disciples Church Extension Fund With ‘shelter in place’ orders in effect, our houses of worship are sitting empty. But this can take a toll on our buildings. What can you do? Shut off your main water supply.  Shut off or turn down your water heater.   Adjust your furnace/air-conditioner. Adjust your heat-setting to about 60° F (16° C) and your AC setting to about 86° F (30° C).  Turn on ceiling fans in the sanctuary.  Check your sump pumps. Pour a bucket of water into the sump-pit and confirm that the pump eliminates it. Fill floor drains. The water in the P-trap of your drain evaporates over time, allowing sewer gas and methane to seep into your building. Pouring two liters of water into the drain will refill the trap. Then, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil on top to slow water evaporation. Don’t neglect your lawn. Clean out gutters, downspouts, and drain lines. Make sure that all yard inlets are clear and that no debris is nearby that could be washed in. Let your alarm companies know that your building will be empty.  Check gas appliances. Shut off the gas to stoves and ovens with full-time pilot lights.  For additional information, visit Disciples Church Extension Fund’s blog. Learn more Additional resources and opportunities Register for Association of Disciple Musicians conference, July 26-31 at University of Tulsa Update or place order for free Special Day Offering materials Register for Chaplains Retreat, Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at Christmount  Find resources for treasurers and worship leaders from Disciples Mission Fund Center for Faith and Giving offers resources for congregations' annual campaigns Save the date for 2022! More opportunities to put ministry into action Discover your congregation's calling with Hope Partnership Services  Plan a short term volunteer experience with Global Ministries Poor Peoples' Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival updates Disciples News Service (DNS) is distributed by Communication Ministries, in the Office of the General Minister and President, and is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund. To change your subscription, or submit news for consideration in DNS, visit our website. 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