Based on a recommendation from the Potomac Association’s Social Action and Missions Committee, the Association has budgeted $3,000 to encourage activities in support of these resolutions. We invite grant applications from UCC churches in the Potomac Association; resolution-related working groups (for example, Racial Justice Group) and Potomac Association committees; and UCC-affiliated groups (for example, UCC Palestine – Israel Network) whose work extends into the Potomac Association geographic area. The maximum grant to be awarded is $500; we encourage applications for smaller projects as well.
To encourage congregations to undertake new initiatives where they may not previously have been active, we will give special attention to new initiatives as well as to churches with limited resources. Proposals that are strongly viable and offer the opportunity for a high quality impact will also receive special attention.
The grant request form can be downloaded by clicking here.
You may complete and submit the electronic form by emailing it to amegna@cacucc.org or printing and mailing it to Central Atlantic Conference – Grants, 916 S. Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228. Grant applications are due no later than April 8 and funding announcements will be made in May. Grant recipients will be required to submit a results-based report at the conclusion of the grant period.
A summary of each resolution is to be found below. The full resolutions can be accessed at: http://synod.uccpages.org/resolutions/.
Dismantling the New Jim Crow
The New Jim Crow resolution urges UCC Associations and local congregations to provide opportunities for education, including a resource with information on the biblical and theological foundations on race, mobilization, public witness, and public policy advocacy to dismantle the New Jim Crow and to turn this tide of institutionalized racism and economic injustice.
Just Peace in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Israeli-Palestinian resolution calls on churches and church members to study the Kairos Palestine document, to divest any direct or substantive indirect holdings in companies profiting from or complicit in human rights violations arising from Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian Territories, and to boycott goods identified as produced in or using the facilities of illegal settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territories. Local churches are also called to participate in a dialogue among the three Abrahamic faiths, and church members are called to persist in the request to Congress to ensure that U.S. aid to Israel does not violate the law.
NFL Team Name Change
The name change resolution urges churches and members to communicate their concerns in writing to owner Daniel Snyder and Commissioner Roger Goodell, join a boycott of games played by the team and not to wear, display, or purchase any items with the team logo until the name changes.