Some of the Phase II mission proceeds disbursement grants are funding ongoing and expanding projects, including the youth drumming lessons at St. Cyprian’s, Oxford, now part of the Dr. Helen Chavis Othow Educational Foundation. Photo by Carl Webb
Phase II is complete; Phase III is underway
The second phase of the mission proceeds disbursement offering is now completed, with Phase II recipients ready to put their visions into action following the announcement of Phase II results by the diocesan-wide task force appointed by the bishops, with the approval of Diocesan Council.
The offering is an initiative of the Diocese of North Carolina following the sale of 200 West Morgan Street, the former Diocesan House. When the sale was completed, it was decided following months of discernment by the task force and diocesan governing bodies to use the $8.8 million net proceeds derived from the sale to support two areas: $3.8 million to cover the new Diocesan House lease and ongoing support of the diocesan offices, and $5 million to support new and existing projects and ministries relating to diocesan mission strategy priorities through grants, matching funds, seeding of projects and revolving loans.
“The work of our mission strategy and our journey to Becoming Beloved Community has always been about, first and foremost, the work happening in our churches and diocesan ministries,” said Rodman when the plan was announced. “As possibilities for the proceeds from the sale of Diocesan House were discussed, conversation returned again and again to the work happening within our churches.”
The disbursement was offered in three phases. In the first phase, $3 million dollars was designated specifically for historically Black and Latino congregations, as well as churches with an annual operating budget of less than $100,000. Recipients of Phase I funding were announced in November 2024.
PHASE II
The second phase designated $1 million dollars and was open to any church that proposed to use requested funds for works or projects done in collaboration and in support of the diocesan mission priorities. Collaborative partners could include Phase I recipients, other Episcopal churches, and community partners and organizations.
With the Phase II focus on partnerships, the task force saw a difference in the applications. “We saw more around community engagement, feeding ministries and addressing food scarcity issues,” said the Rev. William Morley, a board-certified executive coach hired to consult and guide the process with the task force.
Some of the partnerships included in the applications were new, while others are already hard at work. “I liked the collaboration [this phase] encouraged between the churches and the community,” said Maria Gillespie, chief financial officer for the diocese. “There was a wide variety of things these partnerships were working on, but what was great about all of them is they are all going beyond our church doors and into our communities.”
“There was a lot [of] thoughtfulness in these applications that really helped [the task force] to understand the partnerships and the meaning each had to the congregations in terms of being able to get things done within their communities,” said Morley. “Some had existing relationships, and others saw this as a real beginning to better relationships within their communities.”
[Image: St. Luke’s Give and Take ministry has expanded into a partnership with another local church.]
The task force also saw in the applications the possibility of transformation. Noted especially were a new ministry focusing on the LGBTQ+ community and those hurt by the church, and another readying to welcome a new congregation of neighbors.
“We saw a reimagining of a few of the congregations,” said the Rev. Joyce Allen Corbin. “It was a letting go of who they once were and a reimagining of who they could be. It was an expression of their sense of what it means to be the body of Christ. I was moved by that because it’s really hard for any church that’s been around and doing things a certain way for a long time to let go of who they once were and envision who they might be.”
“They’re really thinking about a future instead of a death [or decline],” agreed Morley. “They’re reinventing themselves to take it to another level, to grow and still be viable and vibrant within the community, but with a different mix of people within their body of Christ. It’s very exciting.”
PHASE II RECIPIENTS
Phase II received 41 applications, of which 25 received funding. The task force worked to ensure as many as possible received funding, as the applications received included first-time applicants not eligible to apply during Phase I, proposals that did not receive Phase I funding and were moved to Phase II, and others that received partial funding in Phase I and reapplied in Phase II. Some of the applications received did not meet the criteria for Phase II and were moved for consideration in Phase III.
The Phase II recipients are:
Christ Church, Albemarle: $10,500
Funding will provide meals at the Community Table, an initiative that works to feed the hungry and unhoused in Stanly County. To be done in partnership with the Stanly County Christian Ministry (SCCM) and other local worshiping communities.
Niner United, Charlotte: $5,000
Funding will support Bible engagement initiatives with young adults in the Charlotte area.
St. Alban’s, Davidson: $30,000
Funding will support the work of Neighbors’ Hands, a collaboration in partnership with the Davidson Housing Coalition aimed at preserving affordable homes in West Davidson, a historic Black community.
Beloved Community at the Trees, Durham: $25,000
Funding provides resources for the new faith community supporting the LGBTQ+ community and underprivileged people. The Beloved Community at The Trees offers healing ministries to those who have experienced religious trauma and those who have been “othered” in the church. [Image: Communion during worship service.]
St. Joseph’s, Durham: $3,250
Funding will provide for kitchen and dining hall renovations in support of the community breakfast ministry hosted at St. Joseph’s. Done in partnership with St. Stephen’s, Durham; Fresh Start; Divine Support Edge Healthcare Services and others.
St. Luke’s, Durham: $50,000
Provides funding to carry out renovations and improvements on the school building on St. Luke’s campus, significantly improving Learning Enrichment and Academic Program (LEAP), a Latino-centered organization committed to supporting the needs and experiences of Latino families—particularly working class and immigrant families.
Abundant Life, Greensboro: $65,000
Funding will support the reimagining and revitalization of the Young Adult Campus Program in Greensboro. Through newly formed partnerships with Redeemer, Greensboro, and North Carolina A&T, new communities of young adults in the Greensboro area will be part of a collaborative network of local parishes, nonprofits and the two major universities in Greensboro.
St. Mary’s, High Point: $65,000
Support for the building of a bigger [friendship] table to expand feeding ministry and allow access to all. The Friendship Table is partnered with six local nonprofits providing both capacity building support through a residential program and donations of produce grown in St. Mary’s Good News Garden.
St. Matthew’s, Hillsborough: $50,300
Funding will support memorial and cemetery restoration at St. Matthew’s. Done in collaboration with the Stagville Descendants Council (SDC), whose ancestors were enslaved to the Cameron family, which built St. Matthew’s 200 years ago and was a major wealth benefactor of The Episcopal Church and St. Matthew’s.
Grace, Lexington: $33,795
Funding for Grace Food Ministries, Grace Church’s feeding ministry done in collaboration with Second Harvest Food Bank, to provide nutritious meals and food to those navigating food insecurity.
St. Matthias’, Louisburg: $10,000
Funding will provide a cooling station and mobile food pantry as part of a Franklin County collaboration, “Unity for Our Community.” The Mobile Food Bus will expand the collaboration’s offerings already supporting children and families’ engagement with the Kid Feeding Program.
St. Paul’s, Monroe: $49,675
Funding to support the “Expanding the Table” project, providing for the updating of equipment and the increasing of food storage space. Feeding ministry done in partnership with community Loaves & Fishes, schools and civic organizations.
Trinity, Mt. Airy: $35,050
Funding will support partnership between Trinity and the African American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), which lends durable medical equipment and hospital beds at no cost.
St. Cyprian’s, Oxford: $60,000
Matching grant with the newly created Dr. Helen Chavis Othow Educational Foundation. Work will be in partnership with two local organizations to launch programs focused on the well-being of young people in the Oxford area: a literacy program; space and facilitation services for children impacted by neglect, abuse or dependency; and St. Cyprian’s drumming lessons and performances.
St. Bartholomew’s, Pittsboro: $18,000
Funding to support salary for an outreach coordinator for the Community Lunch Program, which continues in partnership with Mountaire Farms, Pittsboro United Methodist Church, Pittsboro Presbyterian Church, Panera Bakery and La Farm Bakery. [Image: Meal prep for St. Bartholomew’s feeding ministry.]
Nativity, Raleigh: $15,000
Funding supports the organizing capacity of Episcopal congregations in Wake County and nearby areas, including Clayton, Louisburg, Selma and Wilson, through a three-fold strategy of listening, training and action. The purpose of “Building Our Base” is to begin to address and help with particular and systemic inequalities present in partner communities.
New Hope Collaborative, Raleigh: $65,000
The funding will support the installation of a kitchen that will allow the New Hope Collaborative to begin a meal program that offers nutritious food, builds community, and creates a space for partner congregations to engage in NHC’s missional priority of racial reckoning, justice and healing.
St. Ambrose, Raleigh: $68,921
Funding will support St. Ambrose’s new Beehive Banquet: Healthy Communities Initiative, which will include culinary demonstration, a healing garden, and expanded food and nutrition education. To be done in partnership with the NC Cooperative Extension of Wake County, Advance Community Health and several local chefs.
St. Thomas’, Reidsville: $70,000
Funding to support the planting of a new Hispanic congregation in Rockingham County. Located within St. Thomas’, it will be done in collaboration with Christ’s Beloved Community, Winston-Salem.
St. Luke’s, Salisbury: $30,000
Funding will provide meals to enhance St. Luke’s music program and Bible study in partnership with Soldiers Memorial AME-Zion Church. The partnership will work with local farmers to provide sustainable and local food through Bread Riot and a culinary student intern from Livingstone College, a local HBCU.
St. Luke’s, Tarboro: $20,000
Supports feeding ministry done in partnership between St. Luke’s and Conetoe Missionary Baptist Church. St. Luke’s provides the non-perishable items, while Conetoe provides fresh vegetables.
St. Anne’s, Winston-Salem: $50,544
The grant will provide funding for staff salaries at the IRC Freedom School Curriculum in partnership with Old Town Community Freedom School.
St. Paul’s, Winston-Salem: $45,000
Funding will provide for St. Paul’s role as a Supportive Partner for the 2025 Summer Freedom Program. Done in partnership with the Ashley Academy Freedom School, with a goal of building cultural connections through focusing on the untapped talents and abilities of children in their neighborhoods.
St. Stephen’s, Winston-Salem: $45,000
Funding will support the “Restore, Renew, Revive” project, with a focus on mental health literacy. Initial offerings will invite other Episcopal area churches to learn more about mental health first aid to serve the community through mental health ministry.
St. Timothy’s, Winston-Salem: $20,000
Funding will support the Shelter at St. Timothy’s, which provides radical hospitality to women experiencing homelessness in Forsyth County during the coldest months of the year with a safe space and hot meals.
Phase III is the third and final phase of the initiative. It offers the final $1 million of the $5 million set aside for this offering, and while not open to the public, all churches, missions, chaplaincies or special missions within the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina were eligible to apply by the August 15 deadline. The task force is currently beginning its discernment of the applications and expects to award the final funds by the end of the year.
Learn more about the mission proceeds disbursement initiative.
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