Congregational Development Commission

 

LEARN AND LEAD 2023-Finding God After the Pandemic Learn and Lead is back! After an international pandemic and endless zoom meetings, the Congregational Development Commission (CDC) welcomes you to an in-person event. This year’s Learn and Lead will be on March 18th, 9-3pm (8:30 registration start) at St. John’s in Barrington. We will have workshops ranging from Finance to How to be a Welcoming Community, from Churches as Community Spaces to Vestry 101. If you are long involved in your church or just starting out, this is the place for you! We are welcoming Emily Keniston, who is the Director of Faith and Formation in the Diocese of Maine as our keynote speaker. She will be talking to us about the idea of formation beyond the pandemic. This will be a day full of interesting and engaging workshops that will hopefully get you excited about the possibilities of what you can be doing in your own church! Come learn and connect with Episcopalians from around the diocese, while envisioning what the future can look like! Register below. Lunch will be provided. Directions for registration: Each participant must sign into Eventbrite individually and then register for ONE morning workshop and ONE afternoon workshop only.

Listing of Workshops and Schedule

Register by Clicking Here

 

The Congregational Development Commission (CDC) provides funds for programs that strengthen congregations, especially those that are field testing new programs/initiatives on behalf of the diocese, done in partnership with other churches, or are part of a plan to spur significant growth, expand ministry, etc. CDC meets on the first Tuesday of every month.

Mustard Seed or Vineyard Grants

The CDC announces an ongoing grant program available to all congregations in Rhode Island. Do you envision a program or new ministry to help develop your congregation into a more faithful and vibrant expression of the Body of Christ? Do you have plans for making your congregation more responsive to the local challenges and opportunities before you in your community? How about ideas for transformative collaborations with other congregations that fit with your unique mission or vision for ministry? CDC Mustard Seed or Vineyard grants offer your congregation the financial support to put your vision into action. You can read about past recipient programs here.

Apply now for a Mustard Seed or Vineyard grant.

Mustard Seed grants are for proposals up to $2000. These grants can be approved immediately by the CDC at its monthly meetings.

Vineyard grants are proposals over $2000 and require both CDC and Diocesan Council approval. The application review and approval time for the Vineyard grants is two-three months.

Application Process:

The link above will take you to (a Wufoo) form which will serve as your application. You will be asked to upload an income statement. The application and your statement will be reviewed by the Grants and Loans Committee and if applicable forwarded to CDC and then if over $2,000.00 the grant request will be forwarded to Diocesan Council. You may be asked for additional information before a decision can be made. Grants and Loans Committee meets every Monday.  CDC meets on the first Tuesday of every month. Diocesan Council meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

Online Fundraising Ideas During Covid19 – Click Here