4/10/2015
Stirrings of the Spirit awarded grants to nine creative and innovative ministry projects ranging from a contemplative prayer intensive for young adults to a “just in time” food rescue start-up. Awards totaled $40,920. The grant proposals were reviewed by members of the Stirrings of the Spirit leadership team and weighed on the strengths of these innovative or start-up projects to address the following criteria:
- Opportunity to include impoverished or communities in need
- Projects which address a social justice concern
- Opportunity to work ecumenically or with interfaith communities
- Projects which can be replicated
The following inititives were awarded grants for this year:
Altered States, Winged Productions & St. Michael’s, Brattleboro $2000.
Weekend of chanting from four faith traditions and symposium on the neurological and psychological benefits and applications of chant.
Bethel Community Meal Program, Christ Church, Bethel $5000.
Weekly meal in partnership with Bethel churches and community organizations; seeking partners to make the program sustainable after a 2014 Stirrings grant helped with start-up.
Church on the Trail, Rock Point Summer Conferences, Burlington $6500.
A program of traveling throughout the Church in Vermont and bringing camp and nature based experiences to people of all ages, fostering care of creation and raising up youth leaders.
Contemplative Prayer, Justin Lanier & Partners in The Episcopal Church $1960.
Weeklong training in Contemplative Prayer and Anglican Worship for 20’s and 30’s; a seed program for both beginner and more advanced training and formation.
Essex Eats Out, St. James, Essex Junction $6000.
An ecumenical free‐dinner community program with five stakeholder groups; seeking sustainability after a 2014 Stirrings grant helped with start-up.
Everyone at the Table (EAT), Lisa Ransom, Waitsfield $6000.
Project to distribute free food to those in need throughout Vermont by partnering with businesses and non-profits, utilizing existing services provided to grocers, restaurants and resorts to collect food and deliver.
Interfaith Ambassadors Initiative, Nicholas Porter & Jerusalem Peacebuilders, Brattleboro $5000.
With partner Kids4PeaceVT, to launch a two-tier conflict transformation and leadership program for Vermont youth and communities, empowering resilient interfaith partnerships.
My Vegetable Garden, St. Luke’s, Chester $1460.
Providing the supplies and hand tools, layout, directions for eleven 9’x12’ vegetable garden kits, and class instruction for the participants; collaboration with several community partners including the public library for tool loan.
RP Partners’ Pantry, Rock Point Intentional Community, Burlington $7000.
Gather produce from community partners to donate in season to local food shelf and to can and freeze the same produce for the rest of the year.
Funds for these grants comes from the Alleluiafund and the support of Diocesan Council.