Source: Orthodox Church in America
Deadline for Planting Grant applications in the OCA is August 31, 2015
SYOSSET, NY [OCA] The deadline to apply for 2016 Church Planting Grants, available from the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Evangelization, is August 31, 2015.
Detailed information on the grants may be found here. Applications may be downloaded here.
Fledgling mission communities may apply for first-year grants of up to $24,000.00 for the exclusive purpose of providing a salary for a full-time resident priest. Qualifying missions, deaneries or dioceses must match this amount. Grants may be renewed for a maximum of three years. Over 30 missions—most of which have successfully transitioned to full parish status—have received Church Planting Grants since the program was initiated over 15 years ago.
“Due to our current support from the OCA through the Planting Grant and the initial support we received from the Diocese of the South, we have been able to focus on mission growth and our building program,” said Priest James Bozeman of Saint James Mission, Beaufort, SC. “Our mission is relatively unique in the sense that it was a targeted ‘mission start-up’ in a town with no Orthodox Christian presence, beginning with just six adults and an assigned priest virtually from our inception. After just three years, we are averaging 35 people at the Sunday Liturgy and have purchased property for our future building.”
Priest Andre Paez of Saint John the Evangelist Mission, Tempe, AZ, credits the OCA Planting Grant with making it possible for the community to establish a vibrant catechisis program for children.
“This is a hands-on Montessori-inspired program that involves intensive catechist training and a specially prepared environment in which children work,” said Father Andre. “As a result of the Planting Grant I have been able to meet one-on-one with most of our mission’s families at various times throughout the week at their homes, places of employment, hospitals, and restaurants to cultivate deeper relationships. And we are launching a dynamic new web site to extend our outreach to the Phoenix community.”
And as a result of the Planting Grant it receives, Holy Archangels Mission, Annapolis, MD, has transitioned “from an OCF college ministry with a fledgling church to a growing mission with strong OCF ministries at both the US Naval Academy and Saint John’s College,” said Priest Robert Miclean. “The Grant has enabled me as a priest to meet with parishioners and students when they are available during the day and to have the flexibility in my schedule to prioritize the needs of those to whom I minister.”
For additional information, please contact Priest John Parker, who chairs the OCA Department of Evangelization, at 843-810-9350 or[email protected].
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