We are delighted to share the news that the Diocesan Mission Fund has just received its 250th application.
The Diocesan Mission Fund (DMF) was created by the Diocesan Synod to provide resources to parishes and deaneries for new projects which aim to make new disciples. The first application was received in 2010 for a project called 'God Stuff!' by the Draycote Group and a whole host of projects have been supported over the last 13 years - from youth workers, to welcome packs and printers, from live streaming technology in the pandemic to muddy church, café equipment and tables for playgroups as parishes rebuild. There are too many projects to list but this word cloud of project names captures the essence of what has been funded across the diocese:
There are 3 levels to the fund and 3 application forms:
- ‘Mustard Seed’ under £500
- £501 - £2,500
- £2,501 - £30,000 (max available from fund). This also asks for a project plan to be submitted alongside.
Mustard Seed grants can be submitted at any time and are decided upon by an Archdeacon and the clergy and laity co-chairs of the Diocesan Mission Fund Committee. For grants over £500 the full Diocesan Mission Fund Committee meet to decide and there are four deadlines per year to compliment when they meet: 31st March, 30th June, 31st August and 31st December. If a grant is over £9,999 it is also referred to Bishop’s Council. The DMF Committee also receive a proportion of LInC funding (Lowest Income Communities Funding) to distribute, so if your parish is eligible the committee may assign funding from LInC.
Pictured at the top of the page are some of the team from the Community Café at All Saints, Stretton on Dunsmore. They applied for a Mustard Seed grant of £500 towards equipment for their café which first opened in September 2022. The café has gone from strength to strength and now attracts 40-50 people from the surrounding villages in the benefice and beyond. They have found that the cafe has been a good contact point for lapsed churchgoers to reconnect with the church by first attending the café and then coming to church services. It also provides a great social point in the community for widowers and retired persons.
Any deanery, benefice or parish in the Diocese of Coventry can apply for grants. The DMF's priorities are projects which are:
- Missional: aimed at making "New Christians and Disciples".
- New / Pioneering: new ways to serve people or areas not currently reached by the Church. Grants are usually given to help start new projects.
- Sustainable: practically 'do-able' with a good chance of success and, if applicable, able to be sustained long term. This includes having local support for the project and may include having plans for long term funding when the grant from the DMF is used up.
All we ask in return is that you let us know how your project goes, sharing your learning and successes so that we can share the news and inspire others to try new missional projects!
For more information to help you start to build your mission project, click here, where you can find the full application guide and application forms.