Every year the Mission Committee of the Presbytery of Baltimore is the beneficiary of a $50,000 gift by an anonymous donor.  In the past the committee has designated this gift for various projects that are not within our normal budget possibilities:  Hunger projects; projects centered on youth; projects that build partnerships between congregations.  This year the committee is really “thinking outside of the box”.  We wondered what kind of an impact awarding all $50,000 to one organization or project might have?

 Voila!  The birth of the DREAM GRANT

The mission committee is asking you to dream, pray, reflect upon what might be accomplished with $50,000.  However, there are a few requirements for application:

• Submit a one-page (only!) description of your dream.  Include how volunteers might be used, the connection that might be achieved with one or more congregations within the Baltimore Presbytery, and the endorsement of the sessions of those congregations
• Be sure that your dream reflects the mission statement of the mission committee of the Presbytery of Baltimore, as noted below
• Submit applications to Deb Milcarek, Associate for Mission and Justice by close of business on September 1, 2008.  Applications may be mailed or emailed.
• The Mission Committee will decide on 3 finalists who will be asked to give 15 minute presentations each at the October 7th Mission Committee meeting.
• A decision will be announced at the November Presbytery meeting

That’s it.  There are no other rules -- other than to dream.

 “In response to God’s redemptive action in environment and humanity, the Mission Committee of the Presbytery of Baltimore seeks to incarnate God’s justice, mercy and love as an agent of support and transformation for it’s member congregations as they engage in local mission, endeavoring to enhance the quality of life for all of God’s creation.”

 *In accordance with the wishes of the anonymous donor, all projects must be within the geographic bounds of the Presbytery of Baltimore.