04431
September 28, 2004

GAC approves grants for mission work in the U.S.

Nearly $270,00 awarded for an array of projects

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE — Forty-three churches, middle governing bodies and General Assembly entities of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will receive a financial boost for mission-related programming, thanks to a Sept. 25 action by the General Assembly Council (GAC).

       The 43 recipients will share $269,811 to support programs ranging from migrant ministry to ministering to the disabled to establishing and maintaining a home for the aging.

       The council awarded the grants after the projects received approval by the GAC executive committee earlier in the week based on recommendations of the Restricted Funds Oversight Subcommittee.

       The 209^th General Assembly in 1997 made way for the grants, which are distributed annually to congregations, presbyteries, synods and General Assembly entities. Grant money is taken from funds donated to the Assembly for specific PC(USA) mission use within the United States and Puerto Rico.

       “I think there are two things about it,” said Manley Olson, chair of the Restricted Funds Oversight Subcommittee. “One is, it represents the result of a lot of good loyal Presbyterians giving money to the church to form the basis of it. And secondly, that there are a lot of needs out there.”

       The projects approved for Restricted Funds Grants:

• First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, KY, $587 for health care in southern Appalachia.
• Sparta Presbyterian Church in Sparta, NC, $3,266 for Appalachian health care near Laurel, NC.
• National Volunteers Office in Louisville, KY, $1,247 for preparation of youth for overseas service.
• First Presbyterian Church in Farmington, NM, $1,105 for medical work and health care among Navajos.
• Brighton Presbyterian Church in Zanesville, OH, $1,706 to provide yearly dental visits for children who do not have access to dental care.
• The Synod of Lakes and Prairies in Bloomington, MN, $1,617 for education of Native Americans.
• Kenyan Community International Church in Seattle, WA, $600 for Christian education.
• Stone Presbyterian Church in Clinton, NY, $1,000 for Christian education.
• Grand Canyon Presbytery (on behalf of Cook College and Theological School in Tempe, AZ), $10,280 in Christian education.
• First Presbyterian Church in Sharpsville, PA, $2,000 for Christian education.
• Health Ministries USA in Louisville, KY, $7,682 to support medical research.
• Whitefish Presbyterian Indian Mission in Stone Lake, WI, $600 for Native American ministries.
• First Presbyterian Church in Havre, MT, $550 for Native American ministries.
• Christ Presbyterian Church in Crown Point, IN, $1,283 for evangelistic work.
• Iglesia Presbyterian Aurea Luciano in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, $700 for evangelistic work.
• First Presbyterian Church in Hobart, OK, $1,000 for evangelistic work.
• South Dakota Presbytery in Sioux Falls, ID, $20,100 for mission work.
• Chicago Presbytery in Chicago, IL, $15,000 for mission work.
• Synod of Pacific in Petaluma, CA, $15,000 for mission work.
• El Redentor Presbyterian Church in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, $15,000 for mission work.
• Allendale Presbyterian Church in Allendale, SC, $4,000 for mission work.
• Horizon Presbyterian Church in Phoenix, AZ, $2,400 for mission work.
• Congregational Ministries Division in Louisville, KY, $1,167 to support education and ministry with the disabled.
• Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church in Wildwood, MO, $1,000 for support education/ministry with the disabled.
• Canoga Park Presbyterian Church in Canoga Park, CA, $542 for direct relief to people (food, clothing, etc.).
• First Presbyterian Church in Holland, MI, $1,661 for mission work among Chinese and Spanish Americans.
• North Puget Sound Presbytery in Everett, WA (on behalf of Tierra Nueva, an ecumenical ministry in Burlington, WA), $523 for migrant ministry.
• Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY, $1,200 for environmental advocacy and evangelism.
• West Virginia Presbytery in South Charleston, WV, $7,013 for environmental advocacy and evangelism.
• Hillside Presbyterian Church in Decatur, GA, $4,329 for mission work.
• Oahe Presbyterian Church in Pierre, SD, $976 for medical work with emphasis on diabetes and related diseases.
• Westwood Presbyterian Church in Louisville, KY, $976 for medical work with an emphasis on diabetes and related diseases.
• Woodbury Union Presbyterian Church in Warwick, RI, $500 for mission outreach.
• United Church of La Jara in La Jara, CO, $1,166 for mission outreach.
• Office of Financial Aid for Studies in Louisville, KY, $60,000 to train ministers for preaching and teaching Bible in the Western Untied States.
• Synod of the Rocky Mountains in Denver, CO, $5,000 to train ministers for preaching and teaching Bible in the Western United States.
• Central Washington Presbytery in Yakima, WA, (on behalf of The Campbell Farm in Wapato, WA); $794 to help needy persons.
• Rosebush Presbyterian Church in Rosebush, MI, $16,370 for establishing, maintaining and providing a home for aging people.
• First Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, NC, $16,371, for establishing, maintaining and providing a home for aging people.
• Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church in Lincoln Park, MI, $3,500 for organization and development of Sabbath Schools.
• Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN, $6,000 for organization and development of Sabbath Schools.
• Salem Presbytery in Clemmons, NC, (on behalf of Mission Hispana El Buen Pastor in Winston-Salem, NC), $12,000 for organization and development of Sabbath Schools.
• Synod of the Pacific, Petaluma, CA, $22,000 for organizations and development of Sabbath Schools.