What’s New?
The United Methodist Foundation announces its 2009 Grants Program. The Foundation’s Board of Directors has set a priority for this year’s grants that reflect the goals of Harvest 2020 in their programs and projects.
The grant application will ask about fit with Harvest 2020 goals and the use of key strategies outlined in the three goal areas – new faith communities, healthy discipleship (SEED) and cluster ministries. Proposals may be developed by clusters as well as individual churches/agencies.
The United Methodist Foundation will accept applications until the September 15, 2008 deadline. Complete information about the process, the grant guidelines and application are available at the Foundation website. Applications and guidelines can also be obtained by calling the Foundation office, 312.346.9766, extension 104.
Applicants must be local United Methodist churches or church-related agencies. The purpose of the grant fund is to provide seed money to assist groups in developing or expanding creative ministries.
The Foundation funded 30 projects in 2008, totaling $60,000. Since 1999 the Foundation has provided more than $550,000 in funding to almost 150 local churches and agencies.
In January, 2008 Bishop Hee-Soo Jung announced a commitment to visit every local church in the Northern Illinois Conference. The Bishop will schedule visits by targeting clusters. During the day the Bishop will travel from church to church in the cluster meeting with laity and pastors to pray, listen and share the work of the local church. In the evening a cluster wide gathering is planned where food, fellowship and conversation will continue.
Bishop Jung will reserve over 60 days during the next two years to complete this commitment. Through this encounter with the grass roots of the conference Bishop Jung will witness the strengths and needs of local churches first hand, offering his encouragement and the resources of the conference.
Bishop Jung’s schedule is available to view on line if you would like to follow along.
During the winter months the Harvest 2020 Leadership Team partnered with Community Counselling Services to conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the level of commitment to the Harvest 2020 movement and the interest in conducting a capital campaign to raise funds for the work of Harvest 2020 in the future. The work of the team will be shared at the pre-conference briefings for Annual Conference members. In addition part of the Harvest 2020 Celebration at Annual Conference on June 6th will include reflections on the findings of the Feasibility Report and next steps in the work of funding Harvest 2020 in the year ahead.
View Feasibility Case Study
View Feasibility & Planning Study Report Abstract
