Virginia Synod Fund for Mission
Investing in New Opportunities to Share God’s Love
Wanting to generate and encourage a synod of missional activity, the Synod Council has set aside the funds from the sale of a former church property in Virginia Beach and the funds from the sale of property in Chesterfield to be used to create an ongoing source of mission grants for new expressions of ministry. A new expression of ministry could look like: a new worship location, a new worship style, a new feeding ministry, a new after school program, or a community faith formation event. A new expression of ministry will involve sharing the gospel outside the walls and boundaries of existing congregations. A new expression of ministry would not typically include items like facility repairs or other activities which would in effect reach only current members of our congregations. The intent is for new neighborhoods, new communities, and new people to have access to the gospel through these grants.
Congregation should use the following criteria when applying for a grant:
- Congregations may apply for grants that will fund a new expression of ministry that shares the gospel outside the walls and boundaries of the existing congregation.
- The Virginia Synod Fund for Mission will distribute up to a total of $30,000 during the year and $15,000 per grant cycle.
- Congregations may request Mission Grants ranging in size from $500 to $15,000.
Grant Cycle #2 Timeline for Applications
June through August: Congregations make contact with Director for Evangelical Mission to discuss potential grant ideas and prepare applications.
September 9, 2024: Applications Due (Note: Applications received after deadline will be included in the next grant cycle.)
September/October: Grant Review Team Reviews Applications
October 15, 2024: Grant Applicants Notified of Decision
October 21, 2024: Funding Available to Recipients
Grant Cycle #1 Timeline for Applications (2025)
January through February: Congregations make contact with Pastor John Wertz, Jr., Director for Evangelical Mission (wertz@vasynod.org) to discuss potential grant ideas and prepare applications.
May 2025: Applications Due (Note: Applications received after deadline will be included in the next grant cycle.)
May: Grant Review Team Reviews Applications
June 1: Grant Applicants Notified of Decision
June 1: Funding Available to Recipients
Grant Cycle #1 Recipients
- First, Norfolk: Grant to assist with a new Grief Support ministry that will provide participants a safe, non-judgmental place to process their grief.
- Lakeside, Lake Gaston: Grant will support a partnership with the Lake Gaston Community Center to create a functional meeting space and disaster shelter/staging area to support ministry in and with the community.
- St. Paul, Strasburg: Grant will help the congregation begin a Parish Nurse Ministry within the congregation to serve both the members of St. Paul and the wider community.
- Wheatland, Buchanan: Grant will assist with the purchase of equipment to expand and strengthen the Garden of Grace ministry which provides fresh food for those experiencing food insecurity.
Grant Cycle #1 Recipients
- First English, Richmond: Grant to assist with The Neighborhood Place, a gathering spot where neighbors near cyclist, runners, and neighbors can meet and connect. The grant will help underwrite the cost of a drinking fountain and pet watering station.
- Messiah, Mechanicsville: Grant will assist with a Community-Fest focused on connecting people and building community.
- Prince of Peace, Basye: Grant will help support a weekday ‘Open Door Ministry’ with will make the building available for weekday reflection and conversation around coffee and refreshments.
- Wheatland, Buchanan: Grant will assist with the purchase of equipment to expand and strengthen the Garden of Grace ministry which provides fresh food for those experiencing food insecurity.
Grant Cycle #2 Recipients
- College, Salem – Grant will help support senior adult ministry including lunch and learns, transportation to events, health fairs, senior food pantry, and other programs.
- Our Saviour, Christiansburg – Grant will help support the launch of a new Parents Morning Out program.
- Peace, Charlottesville – Grant will support the installation of a new water fountain with water bottle filler to support care of creation efforts for the congregation and the groups that meet in the building.
- St. Andrew, Portsmouth – Grant will support a new Coffee and Community program which is designed to create a safe space to build relationships, share resources, and build a better community.
- St. Luke’s, Culpeper – Grant will support upgrades to doors and entrances to allow the congregation to better share space with groups serving the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Wheatland, Buchanan: Grant will assist with the purchase of equipment to expand and strengthen the Garden of Grace ministry which provides fresh food for those experiencing food insecurity.
Trinity Ecumenical Parish will receive $5,000 to support the development of an intentional caring
community in specific geographic locations in the community.
College Lutheran, Salem will receive $1,500 to support the expansion of a student food pantry.
Peace Lutheran, Charlottesville will receive $7,000 to support ‘Building Peace’ which will build
connections with the neighborhoods around the congregation.
Our Saviour, Warrenton will receive $6,500 to create a volunteer management ministry to help connect
serve the greater community and create opportunities to share the story of Jesus through service in the
world.
PALS (Presbyterian and Lutheran Services) Church, Bealton will receive $10,000 to help create an
ecumenical, not-for-profit coffee shop to provide a welcoming environment to promote community and
share God’s love.
Resurrection, Fredericksburg: Worship Livestreaming
With the support of a Virginia Synod Fund for Mission Grant, Resurrection Lutheran Church is creating a new worship live-stream to reach those who are not able to or chose not to attend worship in person.
Good Shepherd, Orange: English as a Second Language Ministry
With the support of a Virginia Synod Fund for Mission grant, Good Shepherd, Orange is helping individuals who are interested in learning to speak English.
For more information contact:
Pastor John Wertz Jr.
