Support Center - Impact Community
Overview
 Rethink Church Event led by the Indiana Conference. Over 1,000 volunteers showed up to participate in various community mission and outreach projects in Muncie, IN on June 26, 2009. For more information, read about this event in the Rethink Church archives. |
| Beginning 2010, United Methodist Communications’ Rethink Church initiative will offer partnership grants for media and marketing to United Methodist districts, conferences and clustered churches who will engage with their community in outreach ministries events.
This new program. Impact Community, encourages The people of The United Methodist Church to effect change in their local communities by supporting their efforts with:
Impact Community events will be as unique and diverse as the people who organize them, but there are several basic elements that we envision being incorporated into a successful event experience. The composition of the event day will reflect an opportunity for training specific to welcoming the community, a service project that meets the needs of the community and is sustainable and a worship/celebration component. United Methodist Communications is very excited to be joining our churches together to reach out to communities in need as one church family, proving what we say we believe with what we do! |
FAQ
What is Impact Community?
Impact Community is a new Rethink Church initiative that will offer partnership grants on a first-come, first-served basis to United Methodist Church clusters, districts and conferences who will engage with their community in outreach ministry -- Rethink Church events.
What is a Rethink Church event?
A Rethink Church event is an outreach event that makes a difference in your community by serving, assisting, and engaging church and community volunteers to create a lasting impact in your area. Internal church programs, e.g. fund raisers, VBS, or the launch of a new study group, do not qualify. Below are criteria that can help you move forward with your impact event.
Our partnership should strive:- To create a community event that affects positive change
- To cluster with other United Methodist churches in your area to have a larger impact
- To engage and participate with community volunteers
- To generate a higher visibility for your churches and your missions
- To create an opportunity for witness and invitation to the unchurched
- To build a reputation that is easily recognized
- To establish a sustainable community ministry
What is a church cluster?
A church cluster is a partnership of no less than three (3) United Methodist Churches in any area, combining their efforts, volunteers, and resources to promote and sustain Rethink Church events and other outreach ministries in their community. Return to top.
How can we get involved with Impact Community?
Begin to outline your event plans and identify all churches or districts involved. Use the Event Proposal Template to assist you. Make sure you submit your event plan for pre-approval to ImpactCommunity@umcom.org before you apply. Once your plan has been previewed, you will receive a confirmation to proceed to the online application process, which will go live on November 1, 2009.
When can we apply? What are the application deadlines?
Once your event plan has been pre-approved, you will receive notice to proceed with the online application process. We will begin accepting applications for 2010 on November 1, 2009. The application process will continue year round. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and funds will be distributed on a case-by-case basis until all available funds have been exhausted.
How many times can we apply each year for an Impact Community grant?
Any Conference, District or Church Cluster may submit one application per calendar year.
How much money can we be awarded to support our Rethink Church event?
UMCom will provide funds for media and marketing based upon your proposal and media costs in your area.
What criteria must be met to qualify for Impact Community funds?
See Selection Criteria tab on the Impact Community web page.
Who can we contact for assistance?
You can contact Impact Community Phone: toll free 877-281-6535 Email: ImpactCommunity@umcom.org
Or
Write to us:
United Methodist Communications
Impact Community
P. O. Box 320
Nashville, TN 37203
Selection Criteria
Beginning in 2010, United Methodist Communications’ Rethink Church initiative will offer partnership grants for media and marketing to United Methodist districts, conferences and clustered churches (3 or more working together) who will engage with their community in outreach ministry events.
Applications for these funds will be evaluated by the selection criteria listed below and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis as long as funds are available. Efforts will be made to distribute funds as equally as possible across the five jurisdictions.
- United Methodist entity, i.e., district, conference or cluster of (3 or more) United Methodist churches.
- Demonstrate community relevance: have clear goals and objectives to meet community needs as identified by demographic research and interviewing other community leaders and organizations to determine needs that may not show up on a consensus report.
- Impact and reach: strive to have significant participation from each congregation and a plan to recruit volunteers from the community.
- Participation from Campus Ministries and youth groups as well as other ages within the congregations/community when applicable.
- Sustainability: will community served by this event continue to have a resource? (Note: Events can build on an existing church ministry or be a launching point for a new ministry for the cluster.)
- Willingness to work in partnership with your annual conference and United Methodist Communications staff on all aspects of the event and will provide any follow-up data or reports required by UMCom
NOTE: All event proposals must be submitted to the Impact Community office no less than 3 months before the event date and prior to beginning the online Impact Community application process.
Help Along The Way Contact the Media Grants office: ImpactCommunity@umcom.org | 877-281-6535Apply
Welcome!
The online application is broken down into three steps with a Summary page to help you view the details of your application.
If you have already submitted your Event Proposal, you are now ready to proceed to the online application process. If you have not submitted your event proposal to the Impact Community office, please use the template provided to outline your plan. All event proposals must be submitted at least three months prior to your event date and before completing the online application.
Once your Event Proposal has been previewed by the Impact Community office, you may begin the online application process by clicking below.
Apply Now
Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 877-281-6535 or by emailing ImpactCommunity@umcom.org.
