For the past 10 months, the Synod Council and Office of the Bishop have engaged in a thorough and transparent process to determine how to use the funds received from selling St. James, Coral Gables, and other properties in the state. After listening to you, the members of the synod, in a number of different ways, a set of clarifying visions and goals were revealed from the input.
Overwhelmingly, you said you want the money to fund innovative ministries. You want to see different modes of doing church; you don’t want “business as usual” and you want to see the gospel proclaimed in non-traditional ways and in non-traditional locations. While the gospel and the vision for God’s kingdom does not change, the manner in which we proclaim it must be relevant and contextual. You want us to be part of all that God is up to in the world.
The next phase is developing a grant program to award grants that support the innovative ministry ideas. As of March 1, the Office of the Bishop has contracted with the Rev. Kathryn Carroll (“Pastor Katie”) to be the Project Manager overseeing the development and launching of the granting process for Vision to Action. Pastor Katie is very well known and active in the synod. She has served congregations in Miami for many years and is currently the chair of the synod’s Global Mission Table. Pastor Katie shared, “I feel particularly called to be part of Vision to Action, for I served at St. James during a period of vibrancy and growth. God is continuing to use St. James and other congregations even through their holy closure, as the sales proceeds can bring life in new places and spaces.”
The grant program for deploying Vision to Action funds will be introduced and officially launched at the 2023 Synod Assembly on June 8-10. Following this, materials will be available on the synod website, in E-Spirit, and social media to guide you through the application steps. Thank you for your support as we move this important initiative forward. Together, with Spirit-filled vision and passion, we can shine the light of Christ even more brightly.
