“We have also been influenced,” said Dr. Brubacher, Executive Director, AFC, “by the writings Hildegard of Bingen who broadened the understanding of ‘viriditas,’ from the Latin word for green, to include this creative and regenerative divine activity, in which we as Christians are invited to partake. It’s both an age-old message, and an urgent message for the church today.”

The AFC Board of Directors met in Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 17–18, 2023, and approved $245,000 in grants to 32 applicants in 19 Dioceses, bringing the 2023 grants total to date to $328,000. “All grant applicants were approved, unanimously, and loans totaling $182,000 were offered to applicants who requested additional financial support.”  

Bowcott points to the exemplary field of leaders across the Canadian church who have benefited from an AFC bursary in the pursuit of their doctoral level training. “Mrs. Boyce’s investment is paying great dividends…If you follow the pathway, you see how Ms. Boyce’s legacy is supporting leaders in the church who are in turn leaving a legacy.”