{"id":24159,"date":"2024-08-12T22:21:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T22:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=24159"},"modified":"2024-08-14T18:57:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T18:57:11","slug":"brethren-faith-in-action-grants-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2024\/brethren-faith-in-action-grants-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Brethren Faith in Action grants go to four congregations and a camp"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Brethren Faith in Action Fund (BFIA) has given grants to four Church of the Brethren congregations and to one church-related camp. The fund provides grants using money generated by the sale of the upper campus of the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about the fund and how to apply for grants at www.brethren.org\/faith-in-action<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West Charleston Church of the Brethren in Tipp City, Ohio, received $5,000<\/strong> to expand outreach capacity in support of immigrants and refugees in the congregation. This multicultural and trilingual church also is seeking to develop internal leadership to assist in the outreach ministry. Approximately 35 to 40 percent of the active church participants are people of color, including immigrants from several countries. The church is committed to accompanying people in their immigration process, providing English language education, equipping the congregation’s intercultural competency, and providing translated resources such as music, Bibles, and books. Anticipated outcomes of this work include progress for immigrant or refugee community members who are currently in a legal process; increased communication, understanding, and unity between the various language and culture groups in the congregation; and congregational members beyond the pastoral team being equipped to actively support immigrant and refugee community members. Deacons and volunteers may be specifically called to the ministry of accompaniment and be invited to shadow the pastors as they model how to do this work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nuevo Comienzo Church of the Brethren received $5,000<\/strong> for an outreach ministry to Hispanic people in Kissimmee, Fla. The majority of the Hispanic community and members of the congregation are low-income families who are challenged economically. The community has been affected by the pandemic, natural disasters, and inflation, and families have been forced into debt by the difficulty of paying for housing, utilities, food, and medical expenses. The church is striving to support and alleviate people’s financial burdens and identify the community’s needs. The scope of the community’s needs will be better established as church members meet with individual families. The congregation is working with local and immigrant families from Venezuela, Cuba, and elsewhere, helping them with expenses, working with other aid agencies to connect them with employment opportunities, and organizing events in conjunction with health groups, among other efforts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Upgrades of the audiovisual system at the Church in Drive are in process, with funding from a BFIA grant. Photos courtesy of Nate Polzin<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Iglesia Cristiana Elohim in Las Vega, Nev., received $5,000<\/strong> to purchase musical equipment and for promotional resources to develop the church\u2019s presence in its neighborhood. With the support of Pacific Southwest District, the congregation recently acquired and moved into a former wedding chapel in Las Vegas, located on a main thoroughfare near residential areas with a significant Spanish-speaking population. Essential to the congregation\u2019s worship and outreach are musical instruments and sound equipment, and the congregation and district are working to purchase these. Another key focus is on advertising and hosting events in the neighborhood and plans include social media advertising, signage, and two Open House events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Church in Drive in Saginaw, Mich., received $4,676.19<\/strong> to upgrade its audiovisual system. The church used a previous grant in 2021 to establish a hybrid congregation with members nationwide. This ongoing project integrates online participants with the church’s in-person activities beyond Sunday worship. Three additional improvements are planned to further enhance the connection: setting up the church library and meeting space as a hybrid conference room; setting up a video conferencing kiosk in the church lobby; installing a large screen in the sanctuary, dedicated to showing online participants during worship or other events. An enhanced online experience will help the church reach more people for whom online participation is the only option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shepherd\u2019s Spring Outdoor Ministry Center, a camp in Mid-Atlantic District near Sharpsburg, Md., received $2,500<\/strong> to fund the participation at the camp by youth from Hagerstown (Md.) Girl\u2019s Inc. The camp attendance had declined for 12 years, initiating the effort to connect with Girls\u2019 Inc., an organization in Hagerstown working with girls ages 6 to 17 who live at or below the poverty line. Since 2021, approximately 80 girls have attended day camp at Shepherd\u2019s Spring each summer. The camp faces a significant financial challenge in sustaining the outreach as Girls\u2019 Inc. has been able to contribute only $30 per girl, significantly short of the actual cost of $225. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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