The CBCP Experience
We rejoice in the thriving experiences reported to us by churches as they concluded work in Phase 1 of the Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships program in 2023 and 2024. Here are some highlights.
The Community Stakeholders visit was a CBCP experience that opened church leaders’ eyes about possibilities that surface just by inviting neighbors, existing partners and community leaders over for a visit:
“One idea that will stay with us is having neighbors over from time to time to keep community connections. It was so great to hear how the community responded with enthusiasm to being invited in and asked for their thoughts.” - Rev. Jason Haddox, Trinity Lawrenceburg
“Getting us to initiate or re-kindle relationships with community leaders was beneficial, helped us realize that that is possible. CBCP changed our attitude in terms of looking more broadly at scope.” – Rev. Tom Adamson, Holy Family, Angola
For a refresher, or to learn about hosting a Community Stakeholders visit, click HERE.
The CBCP Phase 1 Capital Grants program resulted in some very compelling stories from faith communities that received capital grants to support property improvements related to collaborative partnerships.
36 congregations successfully applied for CBCP Phase 1 capital grants. Nearly all projects have been completed. Total grant money awarded was $217,555.70. Total matching funds required: $56,812.92. Actual funding by congregations on capital projects exceeded $302,163.20, resulting in a total investment in church property (so far) of nearly $485,000! Here are two examples of projects:
All Saints’ Bathroom Sewer Line Groundbreaking Ceremony
Episcopal Church of All Saints, Indianapolis - CBCP grant funds helped fund the installation of a handicapped accessible restroom within the historic main Church building, where no restroom ever existed. “As a result of the CBCP participation and prior to that visioning by All Saints leadership, the parish desires to more fully utilize its worship space for cultural and artistic events open to the surrounding community,” – Patricia Griffin, All Saints CBCP Team member. (Photo shows 2024 Groundbreaking for the infrastructure to serve the new All Saints restroom).
St. Barnabas in the Dunes, Gary – CBCP grant funding helped replace cracked and buckled sidewalks to both building entrances. “Our building is now being used for events, meetings and classes virtually every day of the week. We now have two AA meetings on Mondays; exercise classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Shakespeare play rehearsals at various times during the evenings and a Madrigal singing group practicing once a month in our sanctuary. St. Barnabas in the Dunes is blossoming into a community focused entity. Give the Lord the Glory!!” – Corya Channing, Senior Warden.
CBCP Phase 2 has a new capital grant program, as explained HERE.
“Collaborative Partnerships” is in our name and we teach (and preach!) about the value of partnering with others to extend ministry and impact. We are encouraged that by the end of 2024, Indiana Episcopal Churches had strengthened or forged more than 60 community partnerships as a direct result of CBCP activities. These include an amazing variety of partners, such as schools, community festivals, pottery classes, Madrigal performances, theater groups, art shows, a restaurant, private counseling businesses, mental health services, not-for-profit administrative offices, rental of an apartment by an agency serving homeless families (the apartment now occupied by a Haitian refugee family), a clothing bank for students at a nearby school, exercise classes – to name a few!
The CBCP website - https://www.cbcpindiana.org/ - is designed to help your faith community to have its own fruitful “CBCP Experience.” Encourage Vestry members, Buildings & Grounds committees, new clergy and seasoned Outreach leaders to visit our website often, explore its Tool Kits and Resources Library, and be inspired by the success stories from Episcopal faith communities throughout Indiana.
For more information contact Info@cbcpindiana.org.
By Linda Buskirk, CBCP Project Director