he 50 days of Easter is a time to celebrate God's extraordinary generosity. The
Alleluia! Grow My Church Fund is an. Easter appeal offering an opportunity for.
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The Episcopal
he 50 days of Easter is a time to celebrate God’s extraordinary generosity. The Alleluia! Grow My Church Fund is an Easter appeal offering an opportunity for the entire diocese to support and expand important ministries in carrying out God’s work. The Alleluia Fund is an expression of our commitment to join with God’s reconciling spirit at work in local communities, in the State of Vermont, and around the world. The Alleluia Fund is an invitation to congregations and individuals to collectively provide financial resources for God’s work in the world. Each year an appeal will be made to increase support for on-going ministries, provide resources for new initiatives, strengthen and revitalize congregations. Programs and ministries supported by the fund may change from year to year.
Church in Vermont
Vision, Definitions: a) A way the world might be; b) the world in which we would like to live c) God’s hope for the world.
The Alleluia Fund allows us to do more together than we can do separately. The needs of the world are great. The Episcopal Church in Vermont seeks to respond to growing needs and new challenges. The fund pools resources from all over the diocese to support programs and ministries that are beyond the scope of any one congregation and that serve needs beyond any one city, town, or village.
Stronger ministries make stronger congregations. Strong congregations grow the church.
Alleuia!Fund The Episcopal Church in Vermont 5 Rock Point Road, Burlingotn VT 05408
for Mission
The Alleluia Fund invites individuals and congregations to provide resources directly to ministries. The Alleluia Fund is for direct ministry support not “overhead” expenses. The 2013 mission priorities are Rock Point property, Rock Point Summer Camp & Conferences, and the Cathedral Chapter. The priorities were established by the Diocesan Council based on considerable feedback received during the 2013 budget process. Earth Stewards, Outreach and Social Justice, and Youth Ministry have also been identified as areas to be funded. Our newest initiative, Stirrings of the Spirit, will also receive fund support. These ministries are a public witness to what we believe: we are stewards of God’s creation who serve and care for children; strengthen Christian identity; open our gathering places to all; and care for a world in need. Activists in these areas will develop a narrative history and a vision for what the ministry seeks to accomplish with funding from the Alleluia Fund. The specific goals of each ministry will be developed by the end of January 2013 and posted on the diocesan website. During Eastertide, bulletin inserts will be provided to each congregation containing spiritual reflections on these ministries as well as a description of goals and their cost. Beyond 2013, all committees, commissions, congregations, individuals, mission districts, etc. are encouraged to develop vision statements and specific proposals for new ministries to be considered by Diocesan Council and Convention.
A call to vision & mission Who will go for me? A question of leadership Moses, David, Gideon, Mary Magdalene, Anna—God has always called forth leaders who did not consider themselves capable. Perhaps God is calling you to leadership of the Alleluia Fund in 2013 and beyond. Ministry needs suggest a team led by two cochairs. Team members with gifts and interests in spiritual education, technology and communication, congregational support, legacy gifts, and special events may also find a place on the leadership team. Each year, bulletin inserts will be developed to promote ministry priorities set by Diocesan Council. The team will oversee the development of the bulletin inserts and communication promoting ministry priories. Administrative support will be provided by the diocesan Ministry Support Team. The Bishop, The Minister for Stewardship Development, and Treasurer will also be ex officio members.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will the various stakeholder groups be able to engage in additional appeals regardless of whether the Alleluia Fund generates sufficient funds? Not for program needs but capital campaigns are quite another matter. How will funds be allocated? For 2013, priority will be given to Rock Point Property, Rock Point Summer Camps and Conferences, and the Cathedral Chapter followed proportionately by Stirrings of the Spirit, Earth Stewards, Domestic and Global Outreach. Once each ministry is fully funded at this level then undesignated money will go to other ministry priorities listed below. The 2013 target goals for these ministries are: Rock Point Summer Camp Rock Point Property Cathedral Chapter Stirrings of the Spirit Earth Stewards Domestic and Global Outreach
$20,000 $10,000 $ 2,500 $10,000 $ 2,500 $10,000
Resources over $60,000 will be available for future years, or for increased funding to priority ministries.
Will there be a specific appeal for specific ministries?
How will the money be used?
No. Weekly bulletin inserts during Easter will be spiritual and theological in nature while educating readers about the specific goals of a ministry. Unrestricted gifts will be the norm but the option to make designated gifts will be available.
“Stakeholders” in these ministries will be invited to produce a vision statement and narrative history of the ministry along with specific goals to be accomplished with this funding. The same expectation will apply to all future proposals for inclusion in the Alleluia Fund.
