Over the last year, by necessity, the COVID-19 global pandemic has shifted a great deal of everyday ministry into the digital space.
In response, last fall synod council approved a new one-time innovative grant program designed to assist parishes to improve or integrate technology in the parish to strengthen ministries, especially as it relates to worship, faith formation, and community engagement.
“This is such an important investment in our future missional pursuits given our new reality,” said Bishop Susan Bell. “It has been so encouraging to see our parishes pivot with the pandemic and dream about new possibilities for their ministry by leveraging technology.”
Over 35 parish applications were received by the February deadline. Time and again, parishes expressed a desire to increase or develop their online ministry capabilities from weekly prayer to Bible studies to coffee time after online Sunday services.
As a result of the significant interest in the Parish Technology Support Grant program, synod council doubled the initial budget allocation of $30,000 to support these grants as an investment in the missional capacity of parishes.
“This support will certainly help us get our streaming efforts closer to completion and broadcasting,” said Karine Snowden, rector of Grace Church, Milton which was one of the grant recipients.
All but $22 of the approved $60,000 in funding has now been granted to parishes.
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