news article

Grants available for local church racial/ethnic ministries

August 2, 2021 / By Discipleship Ministries

Grants up to $10,000 will be available this fall from Discipleship Ministries to strengthen leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship and spiritual formation in ethnic local United Methodist churches.

The application deadline for Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) grants is Sept. 1.

“Discipleship Ministries is grateful to be able to serve The United Methodist Church by offering support to ethnic local churches and other entities that develop disciples and promote racial reconciliation,” said Naomi Hope Annandale, director of research and strategic evaluation at Discipleship Ministries. “We have been thrilled to learn about new ministries launched with previous RELCC grants that bring youth to Christ, support recent immigrants and strengthen parents, among other projects.”

RELCC grants are made available each year, with priority given to new programs. Funds are not provided for personnel, equipment or ongoing building costs.

For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3vSgb5G or contact Annandale by phone at 615-340-1743 or by email at nannandale@umcdiscipleship.org.

Applicants must apply online at https://ypm-umc.smapply.io / and are encouraged to consult with Discipleship Ministries staff for guidance in preparing the application.

Applications must be for a ministry or project of a local United Methodist church or of the United Methodist connectional system. In addition, they also must:

Contribute directly to the mission and ministries of making disciples of Jesus Christ

Be consistent with the doctrine and social principles of the United Methodist 2016 Book of Discipline

Focus on developing and strengthening the racial ethnic local church for witness and mission

Be related to one or more of the essential services provided by Discipleship Ministries, such as accountable discipleship, Christian education, curriculum resources, evangelism, family and life-span ministries, lay ministries, leadership development, spiritual formation, stewardship and worship

Involve racial ethnic church members in the planning, leadership and decision-making

“We look forward to receiving this year’s applications and see it as an opportunity to serve and to learn as we grow in Christ together,” Annandale said.