Is your congregation looking ways to fund its most creative ministry ideas? It’s time to apply for support from the Synod Endowment Fund.

Creative Ministry grants can go for any number of projects, though the money may not be applied to staffing costs. Grants are typically for $500 to $1,000 and allow congregations to try something new. This program really helps provide a large enough “economy of scale” for smaller to mid-sized congregations to take on new ministries.

This year, the Endowment Board is honoring the wishes of a specific donor by encouraging grants to help fund creative Christian children’s education. We will apply the criterion of whether a project is directed at children or youth only to the first two grants.

Recent recipients of Creative Ministry Grants:
-Faith Astoria for summer feeding program;
-Christ Aurora for pod-casting equipment;
-Bethel Portland for a “Community through Liturgy” program;
-Gloria Dei Coos Bay for their prayer shawl ministry;
-Faith Roseburg for their Homeless Youth Drop in Center;
-Christ the Healer UCC/Enterbeing/Redeemer Portland for a "folk church" ministry;
-Four congregations from Emerald Cluster of Eugene for a Saturday evening contemplative worship service
-Holy Trinity Portland for a mass mailing for a non-traditional worship service called "Koine Community".

Applications
An application for the Creative Ministry grant is available at http://www.oregonsynod.org/faithinaction/give/endowmentgrantppp.pdf
Applications are due by April 2.

Maybe your congregation faces other financial needs. The Endowment Board also makes recommendations throughout the year regarding the Synod Loan Fund. These projects are frequently, though not necessarily, for capital improvements. For instance, we recommended that a youth program that wanted to buy a coffee cart to support their fundraising efforts receive a loan.

Other recent projects that have been funded:
-Our Saviour's Lutheran Lebanon: air conditioning for sanctuary;
-Christ Lutheran Church Aurora: purchase of a copier;
-First Immanuel Portland: fire detection/alarm system;
-Redeemer Lutheran Church Portland: roof repair and conditional use permit

More information about loans is available at http://www.oregonsynod.org/faithinaction/give/09LoanFund_App.pdf or by contacting at 503-413-4191 or endowment@qwestoffice.net. We want to provide financial support for your ministries, and we are waiting to hear from you.

How can we encourage people to give to our ministries?
As your congregation goes about its ministry, you may ask, “How can we encourage people to give to our ministries? How should we use the money we have?” As economic conditions change, these questions become even more urgent. The Oregon Synod Endowment Fund Board is here to help you as educators and facilitators of these decisions, as well as the people who give various grants.

 

Congregations: Do you know how congregations can use their endowed funds to encourage giving? This is one example of what you could learn at the workshops the Board hosts for congregational endowment committees. Board volunteers also meet individually with congregational endowment committees throughout the synod, from Ontario to Eugene, and west to Gold Beach.

 

Individuals: Even in tough times, people want to serve through their financial gifts. The Board has hosted four congregational seminars about the importance of planning for charitable giving. Two key volunteers, Bonny Groshong and Tonia Lindquist, meet with donors, securing gifts for congregations and other Lutheran ministries.

 

Organizations: The Board works with Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Pacific Lutheran University, Holden Village, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Northwest House of Theological Studies and others as we help facilitate giving for all areas of ministry. We are here to help you steward the gifts God has given you as you feel called.

 

Grants: What if you need support for a project? The Board oversees grants from the Endowment Funds of the Oregon Synod. This year, we encouraged three seminarians with support from the Allert Scholarship Fund and are making a major grant from the New Beginnings Fund for congregational redevelopment. To check out available grants contact the Endowment Board directly.

 

Having volunteers provide financial support for ministry is a brand-new model, and unique among our ELCA synods. Oregon Synod Board members bring expertise and a servant attitude to their efforts. Everyone who has worked with them so far has been impressed. In addition, they benefit from close work with Pr. Keith Nelson, who represents the ELCA Foundation, and from the support of the Synod staff generally.

 

If you or your congregation have questions about how to set up or manage gift programs, please contact the Board. You can email us at endowment@oregonsynod.org or call the Synod office at 503-413-4191.