by the Rev. Anne Weatherholt
Chair, Diocesan Grants Committee

The Diocese of Maryland recently awarded $130,000 in grants to 44 churches across our diocese to assist them in crossing the digital divide exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, bishop, originated the idea of assisting smaller churches, encouraging them to enhance, or in some cases, begin a new form of evangelism—presenting worship, education, and programming in a digital format. The funds came from a restricted endowment fund, set aside more than 20 years ago.

The Endowment Grants are usually awarded annually, but in recent years, fewer churches have taken advantage of these funds.  Bishop Sutton wanted to offer a one-time simplified grant process, aimed at distributing all the funds available for the 2021 fiscal year to smaller churches (those with $200,000 net operating income). Applicants were encouraged to apply for new funds and were given the opportunity to apply for reimbursement for items used for digital ministry purchased in the past 12 months. This rewarded creative efforts that already existed.

The grants committee discovered critical needs for hardware and software to support basic office needs. Multiple applications noted that office computers were eight or more years older or non-existent. Priests were using personal computers bought with their own funds, members were donating equipment, or equipment was being shared with other congregations. At least one church did not have access to cable but had to rely solely on an unreliable dish network. Most applicants were using personal cell phones, inexpensive tripods, and poor-quality microphones. Several noted the need for wireless lavaliere mics that allow a leader to move freely throughout a worship space.

Applicants who asked for reimbursement had done their homework, ordered hardware and software on-line and were doing their best to present worship and ministry to their own members. Almost all applicants noted that their online ministries were expanding their evangelism, and wanted to do even better in the future, both for elderly members who could not take part in “brick” but were able to take part in “click” worship, and for seekers, who tuned in out of curiosity or by invitation. In a few instances, the digital presence resulted in new or increased stewardship and giving. Many applicants saw a bright future for online or virtual meetings, youth groups, fellowship, and learning. Some noted that they reached persons out-of-state or in facilities such as hospitals or residential homes. Some were planning to pre-record services and/or programs, and others planned to expand real-time offerings, such as funerals, weddings, and community gatherings, allowing for greater participation.

A surge of requests for Zoom education and fellowship indicate how much Zoom has allowed churches to build new communities where diverse participants get to know one another without traveling to a central spot. One church even noted reaching service members stationed in Kuwait. An unexpected result from the grant process was an offer from a volunteer in one of the largest churches in our diocese to assist any smaller congregation in setting up or improving their digital ministry.

The Episcopal Church has a wonderful message to share but smaller congregations have lagged in digital ministry, often due to lack of funds, not lack of imagination. The 2021 Grant process in the Diocese of Maryland responded in a simple, practical, effective, and successful manner.