This blog is on the move

Hi everybody.  I am in the process of shutting down this blog, and moving to a new blog which I hope will be more encompassing of the work I do.  You will be able to find my new blog called "The Vital Church" at the following address
http://vitalchurch.blogspot.com/

Come and check out the work over there.  I look forward to having you join the conversation.

Blessings,

Bob

Episcopal Church Foundation's 2010 Fellowship Grant Cycle

Hi all,

Are you looking for some financial resources to do some in-depth work around transformational ministries?  The Episcopal Church Foundation has opened its 2010 grant cycle, with applications due by March 15, 2010.  If you want to learn more about this great opportunity, follow the link below.

Peace,

Bob


http://episcopalfoundation.org/tools-and-programs/leadership-tools/fellowship-partners-program

Wartburg Seminary Rural Ministry Conference

Hey all...

The 29th annual Rural Ministry Conference, hosted by Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, is set for March 7-9, 2010.  Here's a link to their brochure:
http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/uploadedfiles/2010.rmc.pdf

It sounds like a great conference.  Check it out if you're interested.

Peace,

Bob

Episcopal Appalachian Ministries grant available

Greetings all,

I just got word that the Episcopal Appalachian Ministries is receiving grant applications for its Spring cycle. The grants are only available to those in the Appalachian region, but either you or someone you know may be eligible. Some of the specifics of the grant are as follows:

Size of Grants: Grants usually range in size from $500 to $3,000.

Eligibility: Grants are made to diocesan, parish, or community-based organizations in member dioceses. These organizations will serve communities in the Appalachian region or urban Appalachian communities outside the region.

Criteria: Appalachian Initiative Grants may be used as seed money for organizations to seize opportunities of a one-time nature. On-going operating costs will not be given priority. Successful applications will usually involve helping Appalachians address regional issues such as poverty, health care, unemployment, education, cultural affirmation, or the environment through direct service.

Application deadline is February 28, 2010. Here's the link to the E.A.M website (which includes the grant application on its start page) if you're interested.

http://www.visit-eam.org

Spread the word!

Peace,

Bb

Leadership in the Small Congregation Summer Collegium at Virginia Theological Seminary

Applications are now available for the Summer Collegium, a project in support of small congregations at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. Clergy (and their spouses or partners) from 25 small churches of all Christian denominations are invited to spend nine days at Virginia Seminary for encouragement, education, rest and renewal. All expenses, including travel, books, meals, lodging, child care at home and pulpit supply, are paid by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.

The theme of the Summer Collegium this year is Leadership in the Small Congregation. Our keynote speaker will be Alice Mann, a prolific writer on congregational ministry, and John Bell from the Iona Community in Scotland will join our worship team for the conference.

The dates for the Summer Collegium are June 23 - July 1, 2010. Application forms are on our website, www.vts.edu/education/collegium or will be sent in the mail by emailing SummerCollegium@vts.edu or by calling 703-461-1760. Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2009, to be considered.

Marilyn Johns, D. Min.

Project Manager, The Summer Collegium

Virginia Theological Seminary

3737 Seminary Road

Alexandria, Virginia 22304

703-461-1760

www.vts.edu/education/collegium

Virginia Theological Seminary makes resource available

Hi everybody. I just came across this great link (thanks JC) to a resource provided by Virginia Theological Seminary. It is video of a D.Min class at VTS focusing on applying Family Systems Theory to ministry (think Murray Bowen, Ed Friedman, and Peter Steinke). If you want to learn more about this great material, click on the link below:

http://http://www.vts.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=125409

Enjoy!

Roanridge 2010 Applications Available

Greetings all,

Grant applications are now being accepted through September 1, 2009 for the 2010 granting cycle of funds through the Roanridge Foundation Trust.

"What is the Roanridge Foundation?" you may ask. Well, it is named for a farm in Missouri which had originally been donated to the Episcopal Church for clergy and laity to develop a deeper understanding of rural and small-town ministry. Eventually the farm was sold, and the proceeds became the corpus of a fund which annually distributes grants specifically for the "training of town and country clergy and rural Christian workers" of the Episcopal Church. In other words, it is for the development of ministry resources for rural and small town settings across the country.

To learn more about the Roanridge Trust... and to access an application, simply click on:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/smallchurch_51593_ENG_HTM.htm?menupage=51387

I invite you to apply for Roanridge funding for your most creative ministry opportunities.

God's Peace,

Bob Honeychurch