Saint John’s Stone Church conservation project receives boost from Anglican Foundation of Canada
The Anglican Foundation of Canada (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. This included a grant to Saint John’s (Stone) Church for their Stone Conservation Project.
“We are pleased to have been able to award $10,000 to Saint John’s (Stone) Church,” says Dr. Scott Brubacher, Executive Director. “AFC’s Grants Committee green-lighted this project as a demonstration of support for a vital congregation with a heart for community and mission.”
Since 2010, AFC has provided $231,000 in funding to 44 recipients in the Diocese of Fredericton—nearly $72,000 of which has support youth-oriented projects. “We are tremendously grateful for the support of the Anglican Foundation of Canada,” says The Ven. Cathy Laskey, Episcopal Archdeacon. “By investing in our churches—so that our buildings are safe, accessible, and welcoming—and by driving innovation with their special focus on children and youth through the Say Yes! to Kids program, AFC is not just a dependable partner in ministry, but a visionary one as well.”
Brubacher says that nationally, the Board and the Grants Committee commented on the size and scope of many of the projects. “The 2nd quarter grants cycle has been the most robust for infrastructure projects since prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” says Brubacher. “It’s exciting to see so many ambitious capital accessibility projects coming forward.”
Noteworthy, too, Brubacher says has been the new focus on choral scholarships as more parishes see the potential to grow their music programs and make their membership more inter-generational. “Both of the Sacred Music & Liturgical Arts grants this cycle were for choral scholarships,” says Brubacher. “More and more small choirs are experiencing growth and new life thanks to these grants through the A.E.J. Fulford Trust. Indeed the Diocese of Fredericton School of Church Music has been a multi-recipient of funding from the Fulford Trust.”
For more information on AFC’s new grant categories or to apply for an AFC grant, visit www.anglicanfoundation.org/apply.