Five missions awarded OCA Church Planting Grants for 2007

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — Five mission communities have been selected to receive Church Planting Grants from the Orthodox Church in America for 2007.

Four missions—Saint Herman of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK; Saint Christina of Tyre, Fremont, CA; Holy Apostles, Mechanicsburg, PA; and Christ the Savior, Stafford, VA—were approved to receive grants for the first year. A fifth mission, Holy Ascension, Mount Pleasant, SC, was approved to receive a grant for its third and final year.

“There were a number of missions who applied this year throughout North America,” according to the Rev. Eric George Tosi, chairman of the OCA Department of Evangelization. “Planting grants are given to a limited number of missions that meet the established. The number of missions to which grants are awarded is limited to the amount of funds raised during the OCA’s annual February Mission Appeal.”

Each mission will receive a $15,000.00 grant, which must be matched by mission faithful. The combined amount must be used exclusively to provide for a full-time resident priest.

“Missions receiving grants have shown marked growth, since the grants make it possible for mission priests to devote their energy and time to the growth of the Church,” Father Tosi added. “In recent years, nearly 25 grants have been awarded to newly planted mission communities.”

Additional information on the Church Planting Grant, including applications for future grants, are available on the OCA web site at www.oca.org/DOdept.asp?SID=5&LID=5 or by contacting Father Eric at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 702/898-4800. Deadline for 2008 grant applications is August 31, 2007.