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Local mission gets a $142,000 boost

By Josephine Reader

Sixteen local and regional mission projects have benefited from the latest round of Presbyterian Foundation grants.

Parishes from North Shore to Clutha were among the 16 successful applicants that collectively received $142,000 for projects ranging from a counselling and prayer ministry to support for a music festival.

As in previous years, requests for funding exceeded the amount that was available for distribution, says the Rev John Daniel, National Mission Enabler, who convened the grants committee. “All applications are judged on their individual merits and according to the funding criteria. Every application had clear missional intent in mind, but it’s just not possible to fund all of them. The criteria provide us with some guidelines,” says Mr Daniel.

Some applications were not able to be considered because they did not meet the criteria. Future applicants are encouraged to check the funding criteria, which are published on the church’s website and on the application material.

Mr Daniel acknowledged the support of the Synod of Otago and Southland, and in particular clerk Heather McKenzie, for her assistance in administering and co-ordinating the application process.

The funds that were distributed came from the Presbyterian Foundation trust fund, which was established by the 1996 General Assembly. There is currently about $2.5 million of Presbyterian Foundation capital invested in the fund, and about $140,000 in interest is distributed annually to projects that advance the ongoing regional mission of the Church, or that facilitate the development of innovative local or regional mission opportunities.

One of the 2005 grants went to St Andrew’s Community Presbyterian Church in Otahuhu. The Rev Andrew Bell, who co-ordinated the church’s application, says they are using the funding to employ a part-time family and children’s services co-ordinator. Co-ordinater Tala Page is already up and running, and Mr Bell says her work will build on the parish’s preschool, which reopened in a brand new building last year, and the existing Mainly Music children’s programme (which involves young children developing skills to enhance their early education through the use of music, rhythm and rhyme).

Ms Page has two main objectives, explains Mr Bell: firstly, to develop a more innovative Sunday school programme and secondly, to investigate new programmes that will meet the needs of families in the community - for example, holiday programmes, Saturday morning activities, and childcare and parenting seminars.

He says the parish is trying to fill a gap in the community by providing programmes that don’t exist elsewhere. “Without the [Presbyterian Foundation] funding we wouldn’t be able to even investigate these things, let alone do anything about implementation,” he says.

Student.soul, the Otago University fellowship for campus students, also received a grant. Student.soul has received funding in previous years but this gives no guarantee of receiving funding again. Each year a new application must be made.

Grants for 2006 are likely to be sought mid-year, with applications due in September. Once the specific dates are finalised, they will be publicised through church publications and the Presbyterian website.