Everything churches need to know about the Synod Mission Fund

Synod Clerk, Rita Griffiths  

Synod Clerk,

Rita Griffiths,

answers all your grant and

funding questions. 

What is the Synod Mission Fund? 

Synod has two Mission Grant Schemes.  The Large Grant Scheme enables churches to apply for project money up to £25,000 a year for things such as a Family Worker, Community Worker, AV equipment and so on. 

The Small Grant Scheme enables churches to apply for project money from any small amount up to £2,500 a year, as many times in the year as they want. The Synod has set aside £75,000 a year in total for both schemes. 

Although these funds are for mission and not building projects, the Resources Committee can be approached for help with financing building works such as windows, boilers etc.

What sort of projects do you fund? 

Anything from gardening equipment to leaflets, advertising posters, printing, craft materials, gifts, the preparation and decoration of the church, heating, food and transport costs, salaries and added on costs of church workers. Any project which you apply for funding for must be missional and in your application form you must refer to at least one of the Marks of Mission (in the Small Mission Grants Guidelines ). 

How do I apply? 

It’s an easy process.  All of the application forms are downloadable from the Mersey Synod Website but please do read and refer to the Guidelines as you complete the application form.  It is essential, too, that you complete the Safeguarding questions at the bottom of the form.  Your church should be up to date with Safeguarding Training and DBS checks for all of your key roles.   

When should I apply? 

Anytime during the year. We still have money left for Christmas. So, even if you have bought what you need for your festive event, we could still cover it.

Can I apply for retrospective funding? 

We can cover items and equipment/tools bought where the event is still to occur at the time you apply.

Where do I find further information?  

On the Grants and Funding page — URC Mersey

You can also contact Revd Stuart Radcliffe, Rita Griffiths, Steven Mitchell or our new Grants Assistant, Helen McCormack for advice or assistance in completing the forms.  Here is a bit more about Helen’s role below:

Helen McCormack - Grant (Bid) Finder and Writer/Office Admin Support

My role is to support churches to find grant funding opportunities for projects and help navigate through the submission processes, eligibility, terms and conditions, offering advice and best practice on writing and content. 

I have a background in grant funding in the university sector, with extensive experience in identification, developing applications and administration of the grant once awarded.

If you have an idea for a project but not sure on next steps, please do get in touch: grantsadmin@urcmerseysynod.org.uk 

Synod Mission Fund Successes

Ladies Day at St. David’s URC Eastham brought in women at all stages of Christian faith to a day of creative worship where they could relax, enjoy and participate in each other’s company. The Synod Mission Fund covered leaflets, advertising posters, printing, craft materials, agape gifts, the preparation and decoration of the church, heating, food, and various other incidentals needed to make the Ladies Day a success. St. David’s URC Eastham deliver Ecumenical Day of creative Worship and Praise using Synod Mission Grant — URC Mersey 

Chester Road URC has created a church community garden, with missional opportunities including connecting people to the church and providing outreach to the wider community in Whitby, Ellesmere Port. The Church used a Synod Mission Grant to purchase materials and tools and to cover some ongoing costs once the garden is established. Chester Road URC creates Community Garden for Missional Opportunities — URC Mersey 

A Mersey Synod Mission Fund Small Grant for Ramsey Methodist and United Reformed Church (RMURC), with Scripture Union Ministries Trust (SUMT) is helping young people to understand that faith is within their reach. “The Mersey Synod Mission Fund Grant covered the costs for two team members to run events in the north of the Island, with help from church members and friends. It also covered costs for engagement and transport for curriculum events, Christian Union (CU) groups/ after school clubs and assemblies in schools and church-based community events at Ramsey Methodist/URC. Talking Faith with Young People: Ramsey Methodist and URC use Mission Fund for School and Community Projects — URC Mersey  

Malpas Community Church used a recent Synod Mission Grant to set up and run alternative forms of worship. This included Café Church, Folk and Food, Christmas themed music sessions and a Lent Celebration – which featured pancakes, preaching and music. The money was spent on ordering new Malpas Community Church logo aprons for the congregation to wear at events.  This helped people attending to identify church members and provide a fresh sense of vision and new direction amongst the apron wearers. Mission Grant for Malpas Community Church looks at Alternative Forms of Worship — URC Mersey 

More stories are available at: Synod Mission Fund — Stories From Churches — URC Mersey