The five recipients of the Domestic Poverty Ministry Grants have been announced by Samuel McDonald, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Director of Mission for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society.

The five grants, totaling $103,000, represent ministry focusing on Mark IV of the Anglican Marks of Mission: To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.

“There clearly is a tremendous depth of energy and commitment across The Episcopal Church to help transform unjust structures in our society by ministering among the economically impoverished,” McDonald said.

The recipients are:

• The Diocese of Arkansas – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fayetteville – Magdalene-Fayetteville – $9,500
• The Diocese of Minnesota – Engaging Low-Income, Isolated Young Adults – $23,450
• Navajoland Area Mission – Developing Advocacy Among the Dine’ – $22,450
• The Diocese of Rochester – St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Rochester – SewGreen@Rochester – $30,000
• The Diocese of Southern Ohio – St. John’s Episcopal Church, Columbus – Transforming a Community – $17,600

The grants center on new or revitalized efforts in domestic poverty ministry. The purpose of the grants is to engage Episcopalians in ministry among the economically impoverished in the United States; to provide opportunity to the marginalized to overcome chronic adversities; to challenge unjust structures that perpetuate the cycle of poverty; and to inspire the wider church to more deeply engage with the poor.

A committee of lay and clergy from across the Church read and evaluated the 129 applications, a record number received for these grants, reflecting a total of $2.7 million in requests.  “It was a difficult discernment process, as there were so many well-qualified programs seeking funds,” noted the Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson, Domestic Poverty Missioner for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. “The high quality of the applications was a truly joyful thing to witness.”

For additional information, contact Stevenson.

Presentation at General Convention

During General Convention 2015, Stevenson will facilitate a discussion on Wednesday, June 24 on the outreach of the domestic-poverty ministry with members of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society fellows, individuals who received either a one-year or two-year grant, approved by the Executive Council, for work focusing on Anglican Marks of Mission Mark IV and Mark V. The free event will be held 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm in the exhibit space of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. The Domestic and Foreign Missionary exhibit space is located in a prominent place in the hall marked by banners in three languages.

Stevenson will be available to discuss the partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development on the Episcopal Asset Map.  

Mark IV: To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation

Mark V: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

The Episcopal Church’s General Convention is held every three years, and is the bicameral governing body of the Church. It comprises the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 active and retired bishops, and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay deputies elected from the 109 dioceses and three regional areas of the Church, at more than 800 members.

The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/episcopalian

Twitter: www.twitter.com/iamepiscopalian