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Innovative Mission Projects Wanted

A newly established fund named The Presbyterian Foundation is calling for applications from parishes, presbyteries or UDC's with proposals for innovative and worthwhile mission projects.

The Presbyterian Foundation was set up by the 1996 General Assembly. Grants will be made by the Resourcing for Mission Policy Group. It has about $140,000 available for distribution in its first year, which it expects to allocate in grants of over $3,000. Criteria are that the project has to be within the geographical boundaries of the applicant's territory; consistent with the goals, policies and priorities of the Presbyterian Church; and consistent with the goals, policies and priorities of the applicant parish, presbytery or UDC. Collaborative projects are encouraged. Closing date for applications is September 30, 2001.

"We want to have the first grants available for projects beginning in early 2002," says fund administrator Lynne Smith. The foundation aims to support "people to people" ministry, not building or property development. "It's quite exciting. A lot of people have been saying for a long time, 'let's encourage creativity at the local level, and encourage groups to get together to understand and serve their communities better'."

For further details contact Jan Jones, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, PO Box 9049, Wellington, Ph 04 3818297, email janj(at)presbyterian.org.nz; or Ken Irwin, Ph 04 5297520, email ken.i(at)xtra.co.nz.