The Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) has announced grants to the Church in Drive in the Church of the Brethren’s Michigan District, to Camp Mount Hermon in Western Plains District, and to Camp Pine Lake in Northern Plains District. The fund gives grants to Church of the Brethren congregations and camps using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
A grant of $5,000 has been given to the Church in Drive for tech equipment to expand its virtual ministries. The Church in Drive moved online like many other churches during the pandemic. Going forward, it intends to be a hybrid congregation, integrating those joining at a distance and improving the sense of connection between those in-person and online. A hybrid model is an integral part of The Church in Drive’s strategy to plant new college ministries (and from them, new churches) across Michigan. Grant funds will support the purchase of updated audio visual equipment and a CCLI license. The church requested and received a waiver of the matching fund requirement.
A grant of $4,560 has been given to Camp Mount Hermon to cover the cost of supplies, equipment, and medical care to open camp in 2021. The camp is re-opening to in-person groups this summer by having the necessary COVID-19 supplies to maintain a safe environment and developing a protocol for the daily running of the camp. Grant funds will help purchase window exhaust fans and HEPA air purifiers for the cabins, PPE equipment, sanitizing and cleaning supplies, disposable food serving supplies, and a nurse stipend. The camp requested and is receiving a waiver of the matching fund requirement.
A grant of $2,250 has been given to Camp Pine Lake to fund a children’s day camp for kindergarten through fifth grade. This camp is a free outreach ministry to the local community, nurturing the faith of the children who attend, offering summer staff an opportunity to hone their leadership skills, and inviting the children who participate to also participate in other summer camp programs. The goal is to register 30 campers for the week. The Inside-Out camp curriculum, “Creation Speaks,” will be used.
Find out more about the BFIA and how to apply for grants at www.brethren.org/faith-in-action.
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