Association of Unity Churches

Faith Based Initiatives

March 29, 2001

NOTE FROM: Glenn Mosley, President and CEO

RE: Faith based initiatives - community outreach programs
  
 Thanks to those of you who sent in your lists of ideas: 65 ministries  reported on 235 initiatives.  (I only counted those being done and/or  about to start--usually with a target date identified--none that they were  "thinking about").
  
  Of the 235, many are duplicates of initiatives in other ministries.  Some are unique.
  
 We'd like to publish periodically over the next year on this list serve, in Ministers Letter, and/or in Contact many of the unique programs and a good sampling of those that are done in many places.
  
  As it turned out, John DiIulio, Director-appointee of President Bush's for the faith-based initiative, was snowed in in Philadelphia (where he currently still lives and where I first became acquainted with him a few
years ago) and did not make it to the "think-tank" and conference at Duke University Medical Center in which I participated in early March.  So now I have made tentative arrangements to meet with him in Washington in a few months.
  
   However, what I've learned through an associate of his is that he was only getting started on creating programs and systems at that point and would not have had much to share just then.  Also, it appears likely that each church will need to apply separately as opposed to applying as a movement. Even if that is so, we will do whatever we can do to assist in upleveling John and his staff's awareness of Unity in the community.
  
   One reason I asked for sharing of initiatives that are already underway especially is so that we could establish a historiography, in case it was needed, and it appears that that may be needed.
  
   Those who are already in community services will be high on the list, the longer the length of service, the better.  However, others will be able to get on the list for potential funding if they apply as they begin their projects.  Applying as soon as possible will be helpful even if there would be a lag time before a given program could get a grant.
  
   It seems reasonable that this program will exist for at least four years; possibly eight.  If it is successful in doing what is hoped for, it may be around for 20 or more years.
  
   We will keep you posted as we have further information.  God bless.