Stirrings of the Spirit Grant Awards 2014
Stirrings of the Spirit awarded its first round of grants to nine creative and innovative ministry projects ranging from community meal programs to farm programs, totaling $39,825.
Stirrings of the Spirit is a three-year strategy for the Episcopal Church in Vermont to discern where the Spirit is calling us through exploring new understandings and expressions of what it means to follow Jesus in a rapidly changing world.
The grant proposals were reviewed by members of the Stirrings of the Spirit leadership team and scored on the strength of projects to address the following criteria:
- Opportunity to work ecumenically or with interfaith communities
- Opportunity to include impoverished or communities in need
- Projects which address a social justice concern
- Projects which can be easily replicated
The following projects were awarded grants:
The Partnership Program / VIA – 6000
- Training and reflecting with communities to collaborate in social action that will foster systemic change in our towns and state.
The Gethsemane Play Group – 3500
- Infant/toddler playgroup for community with parent support and education and a community lunch program.
Pilgrimage for Earth – 4000
- Ecumenical shared liturgical experience of the Easter story told through the lens of environmental crisis.
CAMEO Arts – 3500
- Benefit Concert series held primarily in churches with a mission to make quality live music available and affordable even in small, rural and/or impoverished communities.
Grow Learn and Share – 4000
- Community collaboration in growing produce for the food shelf. Grant funds will be used to purchase a garden tractor with implements.
FARM – 9000
- Serving rural farm communities promoting food sovereignty, dialog between migrant workers and the community, provide pastoral and prophetic support for migrant workers and families.
Cathedral Church of St. Paul/JUMP – 6000
- Joint Urban Ministry Project, an ecumenical project supported by 26 faith communities. Grant funds to support and develop a model to replicate in other parts of Vermont.
Rock Point – 1925
- Workshops for the Rock Point Board to test the feasibility of the Rock Point Vision of an intentional community and preparation for developing a long range plan for Rock Point.
Bethel Community Meal Program – 1900
- Weekly meal in partnership with Bethel churches and community organizations.
All ministry projects are required to share experiences and results with the larger church. Watch for more information about these projects on The Episcopal Church in Vermont website, in the Mountain E-news, and on the Facebook Page.