Date: January 29, 2010 

To: Synod of the Covenant

      General and Executive Presbyters 

From: Estelle Aaron

      Church Development/Transformation Staff 

The Synod of the Covenant has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Frank E. Clark Charitable Trust that will be divided equally ($4,500) presbyteries who successfully meet program grant requirements and restrictions.

Program grant eligibility and restrictions are unchanged: 

The $50,000 grant will be divided equally between participating presbyteries. Each presbytery will develop a grant application process for their congregations and determine the monetary amount to be distributed. 

Grants may be used for capital improvements only. Special consideration should be given to projects which are more responsive to the needs of God’s creation; (e.g. provide environmental benefits in the form of fuel efficiency, enhanced use of recycling, improved air quality and reduction of negative environmental effects.)  

Recipient congregations must have an annual budget of less than $250,000 and must be located in communities of less than 50,000. Weekly worship attendance must average 150 persons or less. 

Participating presbyteries must identify recipient congregation(s), itemize the proposed capital improvements, and forward that information along with a copy of the presbytery’s grant application/process to the Synod Office by March 31, 2010. 

By April 30, 2010, the Synod of the Covenant Church Development/Transformation Committee will review all applications; initiate grant disbursements and provide specific guidelines for reporting capital improvement accomplishments.