February News: Our 10th Class of Fellows and an amazing gift!
Dear friends of Invested Faith,
Invested Faith Founder Rev. Dr. Amy K. Butler
This monthly newsletter is full of so much good news that truly reflects what Invested Faith is all about. As you know, Invested Faith began by wondering what building bridges between traditional institutions and the work of faith rooted social entrepreneurs might look like. As you read this latest update, you’ll notice an abundance…an abundance of good answers to that wondering: possibility, hope, ingenuity, creative problem solving, and tremendous generosity. Celebrate with us the news of a beautiful gift from, and ongoing partnership with, St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Ferguson, Missouri...and please meet the tenth class of Invested Faith Fellows!
Here at Invested Faith we are looking around at all of the abundance this initial idea has birthed and feeling tremendous gratitude for signs of life and possibility even in the middle of moments where the world feels like it’s coming apart at the seams. Join us in celebrating good news this month, and partner with us as so much possibility comes to life.
I am grateful for all of you, for the good work happening in so many hurting places, and for the anticipation of all we can do together.
With God's peace,
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ Announces $200,000 Gift to Invested Faith
In February, St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Ferguson, Missouri announced a $200,000 gift to the Invested Faith Fund, continuing the church’s ongoing partnership with Invested Faith. St. Peter’s and Invested Faith have met together regularly to worship, to learn about shared values and vision, to explore ideas for partnership, and to collaborate with Good Faith Media to produce this powerful film about the life of the congregation.
This initial monetary contribution to Invested Faith reflects St. Peter’s mission and vision and their long history as a justice seeking community and signals the beginning of ongoing investment by the congregation. St. Peter’s long-time presence and impact in the Ferguson community through their resource center and local partnerships now expands to include justice issues across the country.
Read the full story of St. Peter's and Invested Faith here.
Learn how your congregation can become an Invested Faith Thriving Church Partner here.
Meet our 10th Class of Fellows!
Invested Faith welcomes our 10th class of Fellows - six amazing people who are changing their communities. We now have awarded 47 Fellowships, with Fellows working in 22 states and Washington, DC on projects addressing environmental and racial justice, mental health, domestic and sexual violence, hunger and food access, student homelessness, and so much more.
Heber Brown, The Black Church Food Security Network, Baltimore, MD
From its beginning in 2015 as a garden planted on church grounds, the Black Church Food Security Network has grown to become a national alliance of more than 200 congregations who work together to co-create Black Food ecosystems and address the root causes of food apartheid. Founded by Dr. Heber Brown, the network organizes Black churches, uniquely positioned to serve as food hubs and distributors to improve community health. Food is sourced from an expanding group of 125 participating Black farms, including an apple orchard in New York and citrus farms in Florida.
Moy Mendez, Hope Center, Blue Island, IL
The Hope Center is a community center born out of a local church with the mission to empower neighbors to become creators and leaders through programs in agriculture, technology and auto mechanics. Originally a food pantry, Founder and Executive Director Moy Mendez reframed the mission to address food insecurity on a deeper level and to offer neighbors options for work and learning that could instill real hope in the struggling community of Blue Island, IL.
Morgan Villar, Dignity Homes, Atlanta, GA
Dignity Homes is a non-profit development firm that builds affordable homes for the housing insecure and will offer housing capped at 30% of family income in the greater Atlanta area. Founded by Morgan Villar, Dignity Homes is committed to developing long-term communities that intervene in the cycle of poverty and create a clear path to homeownership for Americans who have been denied access to the American dream.
Garry Mills, Shoot Basketballs Not People, Philadelphia, PA
After too many of his friends and students died of gun violence, Garry Mills’ mission became simple. Shoot Basketballs NOT People (SBNP) uses basketball as the vehicle to save and change the lives of youth. Through supportive services and resources, educational opportunities and, of course, basketball, SBNP works to decrease violence that perpetuates a cycle in which too many of today’s victims become tomorrow’s criminals.
Jon Adam Ross, The Inheritance Theater Project, New York, NY
The Inheritance Theater Project works with communities to build relationships across divides through collaborative theater projects inspired by shared cultural touchstones and spiritual texts. Communities reachout to the Inheritance Theater Project as a way to create conversation and healing around incidents caused by deep racial, religious, or other cultural divides. Founded by Jon Adam Ross in 2015, the company has created original theater in 15 cities across the US.
Jillian Shannon, Neotopia Bookstore, San Antonio, TX
Neotopia Bookstore is a postmodern bookstore with a carefully curated selection of books in the realm of progressive theology, philosophy and culture, along with a community space that offers classes, lectures, book clubs and movie screening and discussion. Founded by Jillian Shannon, the bookstore is designed to be a sanctuary for seekers and skeptics of any or no religion who want to challenge and discuss theological questions often unwelcome in many religious communities.
