Synod Mission Fund
Each year, Synod reserves a total pot of £75,000 to allow churches to apply for money to fund projects with a strong objective of stimulating and leading the missional growth of your church. Projects need to address at least one of the five marks of mission, this year focussing on the current Synod theme of Living Faith.
Applications can be for a Small Mission Grant up to a value of £2,500, or a Large Mission Grant, of a value between £2,500 and £25,000.
What sort of activity is funded?
Things such as gardening equipment, leaflets, advertising posters, printing, craft materials, gifts, preparation and decoration of the church, heating, food, transport costs, salaries of church workers. Anything that stimulates missional growth, just make sure that you demonstrate in the application how you think these activities will help your mission, and referring to at least one of the Marks of Mission. Examples of projects that have already received funding and taken place can be viewed through the links below.
The money can be used in any innovative way, as long as there is a clear and demonstrable link to it leading to growth within the church and its family. Please be aware that it CANNOT be used for building work.
Retrospective funding
The funding can be used for items/equipment that have been already purchased for an event that has still to occur at the time you apply.
Seek advice early from the Mission Fund Panel
Synod aims to encourage, enable and support local churches and applicants are advised that seeking advice from the Mission Fund Panel at an early stage and before applying is more likely to result in a successful application.
How to apply
Applications can be submitted at any time of year, there is no deadline. Please ensure you refer to the fund guidelines: this document provides tips for completion and also gives the assessment criteria that is used by the panel so that you can make sure you are providing all the information that the panel requires. To apply, please complete an application form - submit by email in word format only please.
To apply for a small grant: only parts A and B of the application form need to be completed.
To apply for a large grant: ALL parts of the application form need to be completed
Mission Fund successes
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St David's URC, Eastham
Ecumenical Day of creative worship and praise
Ladies Day at St. David’s URC, Eastham, brought in women of all stages of Christian faith to a day of creative worship where they could relax, enjoy and participate in each other’s company. The Synod Mission Grant covered leaflets, advertising posters, printing, craft materials and various incidentals to help make the day a success.
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Chester Road URC
Community Garden for missional opportunities
Chester Road URC has created a community garden connecting people to the church and providing outreach in Whitby, Ellesmere Port. The Church used a Synod Mission Grant to purchase materials and tools to cover some ongoing costs once the garden was established.
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Ramsey Methodist and URC, Isle of Man
Scripture Union Ministries Trust
Scripture Union Ministries Trust is helping young people to understand that faith is within their reach. Synod Mission Grant covered the cost of two team members to run events in the north of the island, with help from church members and friends.
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The Plum Project at Uniting Church Garden Lane URC and Methodist
Wings of the Sky
Project designed to involve local people seeking sanctuary through participatory arts. Synod Mission Grant enabled the formation of four “maker” teams who created props, costumes and accessories for the performance.