Church of England Unveils Major Funding Initiative for Local Parishes
In a significant effort to bolster community presence and development, the Church of England has rolled out a substantial funding program aimed at energizing parishes across urban and rural landscapes. This initiative is expected to enhance mission activities, leadership growth, and community involvement.
The Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) has earmarked grants for several dioceses, including those in Ipswich, Winchester, Rochester, St Edmundsbury, Carlisle, Sheffield, and Chelmsford. The funding will support diverse projects such as church planting, leadership training, youth work, and outreach in underrepresented areas.
Chelmsford Diocese is a major beneficiary, receiving £6.45 million for its ‘Believing in Barking’ project, which aims to reinforce parish activities in East London. The program focuses on youth and children’s ministries, minority community outreach, and local mission endeavors.
Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani of Chelmsford highlights the program’s emphasis on community-driven faith expressions, stating that it reflects the Church’s “commitment to participative change” within the diocesan community.
Sheffield Diocese has been allocated £14.3 million to advance its Centenary Project. This funding will support parish renewal in Rotherham, Goole, and Doncaster, expand youth and family ministries, and transform Sheffield Cathedral into a digital evangelism and music mission hub.
Carlisle Diocese will benefit from £6.8 million, facilitating new worship networks in Barrow-in-Furness and the rural Derwent Deanery. The funds will also support leadership training for more than 200 emerging leaders and a three-year pilot for rural parish development.
St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese will receive £2.7 million to enhance mission efforts in Ipswich and surrounding areas. This includes outreach to new housing developments and music-based engagement strategies.
Rochester Diocese has been awarded £11 million to revitalize parishes in Medway, Kent, and parts of southeast London. The focus will be on youth and family work, clergy and lay wellness, leadership cultivation, and apprenticeship programs.
Winchester Diocese will see a £412,333 allocation for St Clement’s Church in Boscombe. This funding will support the employment of a children and families outreach worker and necessary facility upgrades, with further funding contingent on future grant approvals.
SMMIB Chair Carl Hughes praised the awarded projects’ diversity and ambition, saying, “The awards reflect the commitment of the Board to investment in parishes and their leaders, and the work of parishes in developing new services and congregations to serve those they are not currently reaching, particularly in the most income deprived contexts. Many of these awards build on previous investments in parishes.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
