New funding has been made available for congregations to host performances of the original play by Ted and Co. Theaterworks that benefits Heifer International, called “12 Baskets and a Goat.” The total allocation of $10,000 comes jointly from the Global Food Crisis Fund (GFCF) and the Office of the General Secretary.
Other recent GFCF grants support a capacity building conference in the Africa Great Lakes region and community gardens in Spain and Maryland.
‘12 Baskets and a Goat’
A GFCF allocation of $5,000 has been matched by funds from the Office of the General Secretary for a total of $10,000 to help host congregations underwrite the performance of “12 Baskets and a Goat.” The grants to hosting congregations will be limited to a maximum of $1,800 per performance.
Performances raise awareness of world hunger and the work of Heifer International, which got its start as the Church of the Brethren’s Heifer Project and was the brainchild of former denominational staff member Dan West. “It is a natural point of collaboration for our organizations, we all share Dan West’s vision to find a dignified means of passing on our gifts to help others, who in turn can pass on their gifts,” said Global Mission and Service executive director Jay Wittmeyer.
The partnership between Ted and Company Theaterworks, the Church of the Brethren, and Heifer International has set a goal of 20 performances of “12 Baskets and a Goat” and is actively seeking churches, districts, and other organizations to host performances. More information about the play is at www.tedandcompany.com/shows/12-baskets-and-a-goat . Contact the Global Mission and Service office for information about the grants to hosting congregations, at 800-323-8039 ext. 388 or mission@brethren.org .
Capacity building in the African Great Lakes region
An allocation of $4,000 from the GFCF supports an African Great Lakes Batwa capacity building conference, to be held Aug. 15-19 in Gisenyi, Rwanda. This conference will build on the work of Shalom Ministry for Reconciliation and Development (SHAMIRED) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services (THARS) in Burundi, and a new Brethren group in Rwanda. Each of these partners has received grants from the GFCF for agricultural development work to complement trauma healing work among the Twa people. Outside leadership for the conference will be provided by staff of World Relief in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 26 participants will include leaders from the Twa communities in the three countries and representatives of Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. The total budget for the conference of $7,932.46 exceeds the GFCF grant and will be completed with funds from the Church of the Brethren’s Emerging Global Mission Fund.
Grants to community gardens
GFCF allocations are supporting community gardens in two communities related to congregations of the Church of the Brethren in Spain, and a community garden in Maryland that is related to Community of Joy Church of the Brethren.
A grant of $3,968 supports the community garden work of the Bethesda congregation in the city of Oviedo, in the principality of Asturias, Spain. The gardening project will serve 20 families who have little or no employment, with the hope of including another 20 through produce distribution at harvest time. The grant will help cover land rental and preparation costs, the purchase of vegetable seedlings for transplanting, irrigation hoses, and fertilizers.
A grant of $3,425 supports the community garden work of the Oración Contestada, (Answered Prayer) congregation in the city of León, province of León, Spain. This project will serve between 25-30 families who have little or no employment. The grant will help cover land rental and preparation costs, the purchase of vegetable seedlings for transplanting, irrigation hoses, and fertilizers.
A grant of $2,000 supports expansion of the community garden work of Community of Joy Church of the Brethren in Salisbury, Md. This congregation helped to found Camden Community Gardens, and plans to add two new garden sites. Funds will be used to purchase lumber for raised beds and soil for the gardens. The congregation previously received a $1,000 mini-grant through the Going to the Garden initiative of the GFCF and the Office of Public Witness.
For more about the ministry of the GFCF go to www.brethren.org/gfcf