Dear Small Membership Churches,

At the 2024 Annual Conference, annual conference members passed a resolution to fund a Small Membership Church Improvement Fund to help churches whose average worship attendance is 100 or less with major building repair issues. $1 million was allocated for this grant from the Trustees’ Closed Church Fund. We are excited to announce that the application process is open!

If your church qualifies based on attendance, you have a major building repair issue, and you did not receive funds from this grant in prior years, you are invited to complete the application below. Members of the Administrative and Discover/Send Strategy Teams will form a team to review these applications and award the grants. This team wants to know you and your congregation! We invite you to share with us information about your church, its ministries, and its needs.

Using a narrative format, answer the applicable questions in the application outline. The application is designed to provide good conversation among the leaders of your congregation. Be sure to include supporting documentation, such as statistical and financial reports, as well as estimates for the work to be completed. Send all application materials to smallmembership.churchgrant@twkumc.org and copy your District Superintendent as well. The deadline for submission is November 22, 2024. Decisions will be made and grants awarded no later than January 31, 2025.

Small membership churches are vital to the success of The United Methodist Church and we are thrilled to help address building repairs that will enable ministries in your local communities.

Peace,

Mark Hagewood
Treasurer, TWK