Since the end of 2005 CEY Ministries has had in place a program where parishes and deaneries from the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle can apply for funding to assist them in new and ongoing ministry initiatives.

The aim of this funding program is to support local church communities in their ministry to children, young people and families, by assisting them in obtaining some of the resources and equipment necessary to effectively engage their target ministry audience.

To date we have contributed over $15,000.00 through this fund to parish and deanery ministries happening around the diocese: why not have a think about how CEY Ministries could help support your parish or deanery in engaging ministry for the children, young people and families of your area.

Any parish or deanery within the Diocese of Newcastle can apply for funding from CEY Ministries.

Parishes can also apply on behalf of their particular groups (i.e. youth group, mothers group etc.) if they are planning on running an event or establishing an ongoing ministry to a group of people in their area.

Approved payments can only be made to a parish or Area Dean (if a deanery request). The rector/Area Dean is then responsible for distributing the money.

So far, CEY's Funding Initiatives Program has paid for things like:

   -   craft & activities equipment
   -   data projectors & screens
   -   training for employed and volunteer parish workers
   -   fences around children’s play areas
   -   shade sails to make play areas more comfortable during the summer months.

All applications for funding for parish or deanery ministry are received by the CEY Commission - the body set up ny Synod to oversee and support ministry to children, young people and families in the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle.

Applications are read by the Commission and determined to either be successful or unsuccessful based on the following merits:

   - clear outline of objectives, and strategies on how to achieve them

   - how this will benefit the ongoing ministry of the parish or deanery

   - clearly shown evidence of research & planning (eg- quotes, event outlines &
programs etc)

   - significant ownership & financial contribution by the parish or deanery

Moneys offered as support are to assist in payment for parish ministry - not payment for parish ministry. The CEY Commission will judge each application as they are presented.

The maximum amount for Funding Applications for has been set at $2,500.00 and the amount privided to approved applications is at the discretion of the CEY Commission.

These payments are made from the annual operating budget of CEY Ministries, therefore once the annual quota of funding has been reacched, no more applications will be accepted until the following year. In laymans terms, the earlier in the year you get in - the more chance there is of funding being available.

Cooks Hill parish was recently the recipient of a grant from CEY Ministries for the improvement of our PA System in order to pilot a new ministry project involving live music performed in the church building.

The process to receive the grant was straight forward and efficient. We filled in the submission forms and attached background information and desired outcomes, the forms were forward to CEY and within the space of a few weeks we had confirmation that our submission had been approved. We then proceeded to purchase the equipment & before we had completed the installation of the new equipment we had received a cheque from the Diocese.

Without this grant it would have been difficult to raise the entire amount required, the grant itself was the inspiration for others who subsequently contributed to the project.

Rev'd Stewart Perry
Assistant, St. John's Cooks Hill