The Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is inviting all Canadian Anglicans to put on their green-coloured classes and ready their submissions for the 2023 Request for Proposals (RFP) under the theme: Viriditas—God’s Greening Power.
Addressing a capacity audience at the Diocese of Huron Synod on Monday, May 29, Dr. Scott Brubacher, AFC’s executive director, explained that the 2023 RFP was inspired by the Assembly 2023 theme of “Let there be greening” as both an expression of care for creation, and also the broader theme of God’s greening power at work in the church.
“We have also been influenced,” said Brubacher, “by the writings Hildegard of Bingen who broadened the understanding of ‘viriditas,’ from the Latin word for green, to include this creative and regenerative divine activity, in which we as Christians are invited to partake. It’s both an age-old message, and an urgent message for the church today.”
As with the 2021 and 2022 RFPs, grants for both ongoing and emerging projects will be considered. Category A grants, of up to $5,000 will be evaluated based on impact and how they support a creation care project or a new and transformational ministry in a local context. Category B grants of up to $15,000 will be considered based on impact, project scope, and how they support a creation care project or a new and transformational ministry in a city, diocese, or region.
Eligible uses of funding include, but are not limited to, administrative expenses, travel costs, equipment, technical costs, remuneration, honoraria, and food. Proposals will be accepted from September 1 to October 1, 2023.
Creation-focused programs that have received funding from AFC in the past include community gardens and other innovative uses of church green spaces for community-focused ministry. Transformational ministries that have received funding include lay spiritual formation and Christian education programs, arts programs that reduce financial barriers for at-risk communities, and a variety of innovative partnerships with community service providers in the areas of education enrichment, newcomers to Canada, and health and well-being.
AFC’s Board of Directors will review proposals in November and announce the grant recipients in early December. Proposals submitted in response to this RFP will not count as one of the four submissions each diocese is allowed per year.
For more information visit www.anglicanfoundation.org/2023rfp.
Stewardship Reflections with the Ven. Wayne Varley