$75,000 in Covenant Fund Grants Awarded to Eight Ministry Initiatives!
We are thrilled to announce that $75,000 has been awarded to eight different ministries within our presbytery to “spark new initiatives and collaborative ministries that benefit the communities surrounding our churches.” These Covenant Fund Grant recipients reflect the breadth and depth of creativity and opportunity when it comes to answering the call to be the church in our contexts. From a community concert series, to finding creative outlets for those experiencing homeless, to finding remedies for neighborhood food deserts, these ministries are proving that God is on the move within our presbytery!
Here is a brief summary of this round’s recipients:
- Ardmore Presbyterian Church will support the work of “The Welcome Church” through the launching of a new program, “Welcome Art,” which will engage in art projects with its constituents who are typically experiencing homelessness in Center City, Philadelphia.
- The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill will support “Souls Shot Portrait Project,” which brings together friends, family members, and victims of gun violence with portrait artists, who use different media to create portraits of the victims in order to humanize and share the stories of those impacted by gun violence.
- The Common Place is expanding its food ministry by upgrading its capacity to offer fresh food year-round in this neighborhood that is classified as a food desert.
- East Falls Presbyterian Church is seeking out creative ways to support children and youth in a neighborhood with many young families through the hiring of a collaborative partner to lead new initiatives and support their pastoral leadership.
- Leverington Presbyterian Church is engaging in a playground project with the hopes to “build a playground, build community.” This addition to their facility will enhance their presence in their neighborhood, offering a refuge for children and parents to enjoy the outdoors, engage in play, and form relationships with one another.
- Newtown Square Presbyterian Church is embarking on a community concert series to extend their valued music ministry into their neighborhood. As new housing continues to emerge around the church, presenting these high-quality concerts will bring folks into their space for these community-building offerings.
- The First Presbyterian Church at Norristown is expanding its capacity to serve as a “Code Blue” shelter for those experiencing homelessness during sub-freezing nights. The congregation is reimagining and repurposing its expansive building to serve the needs of those in their community.
- Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church is launching a new initiative, “Haven,” which will utilize their large, multi-purpose space as a place of inclusion for those marginalized by society. This will provide a community outlet for concerts, artistic displays, and other neighborhood events that promote love and belonging for all.
