Sunday, July 01, 2007

Mission and Mortar

Sustaining and developing ministry (mission) within congregations, as well as maintaining property (mortar), is sometimes hindered because of inadequate financial resources. The Illinois/Wisconsin District, whose mission is to support the growth and development of member congregations, realizes that this dilemma exists and desires to financially support congregations that are in good standing with the district and have specific needs. Congregations in good standing are those that for the past two years have sent delegates to district conference and have supported the district financially with undesignated gifts of at least $100.00 per year for the past two years.

Application for assistance may be made for up to a three-year period with reductions in the amount of support for each subsequent year. In the event that multi-year assistance is needed, a graduated agreement for funding will be arranged, but a request for the funds must be made annually.
Example: $4,000.00 needed over three years.
Year one: $2,000.00
Year two: $1,200.00
Year three: $800.00
Assistance will be in the form of grants and loans. The total amount of grants per congregation will not exceed $2,500.00 per application. Any amounts above $2,500.00 will be provided in the form of a loan to be repaid without interest. Payment of the loan would begin in the year following the last year of assistance with a payment schedule not to exceed 5 years. The maximum amount that can be borrowed per congregation is $5,000.00 per application. New applications for assistance will not be accepted from congregations using the program until the original contract has been completed and loans have been repaid.
From example above:
Year one: Grant
Year two: $500.00 grant; $700.00 loan
Year three: $800.00 loan
Year four: Begin paying on loan of $1,500.00
Applications for Mission and Mortar grants/loans may be made by sending a letter of request to Mission and Mortar, c/o District of Illinois and Wisconsin, 1 S 071 Luther Avenue, Lombard, IL 60148. The letter should include the following:
  1. The specific purpose for which the funds will be used.
  2. The number of years funding will be needed, not to exceed three years.
  3. The amount of money needed. If for multiple years, designate the needed amount each year. A reduction in amount is required for subsequent years. Requests for the funds are required annually.
  4. The schedule of repayment for amounts exceeding $2,500.00.
The Leadership Team has the authority to accept or reject any request.

This program will be administered by the District Leadership Team and its treasurer and financial secretary.

Funding for this program will come from the Mission and Mortar Fund and/or reserves. The revolving fund will accept designated giving and is the fund to which loan payments will be made.

The cumulative amount available for combined loans and grants will be established annually by the Leadership Team.

Established by the Leadership Team of the Illinois/Wisconsin District of the Church of the Brethren at a regularly scheduled meeting on Saturday, June 9, 2007, at LaPlace, IL.