With the support of 1,025 generous donors to date, the diocesan One Body & One Spirit Appeal has raised $484,731 from which this week’s 14 fire-relief grants totaling $41,500 will be drawn.
In the prior two weeks, $63,000 was disbursed in 23 grants, and more applications are pending review and approval next week to assist individuals and families displaced by the recent disaster. Allocated grants now total $104,500.
A concise application form is here.
Bishop John Harvey Taylor encourages those in need to immediately apply for Appeal grants, and thanks all who have donated to the fund.
“The generosity of the people of God around our diocese and Episcopal Church-wide is astonishing and moving beyond words,” Taylor said. “On behalf of the diocesan community, my thanks to everyone who has contributed. Keep the prayers coming for all who are suffering in this catastrophe.”
Appeal grant applications are being reviewed weekly by a panel representing diocesan fiduciary bodies, and funds will continue to be disbursed promptly upon approval.
The diocesan Appeal – launched as an emergency fund during the Covid pandemic — has a proven record of routing contributions directly to help congregations and institutions meet unbudgeted expenses. “Every dollar received goes right back out the door in the form of a grant,” Bishop Taylor reiterates.
Detailed accounting procedures are in place in the diocesan Finance Office to assure that gifts are credited to the restricted purpose for which they are given, with diocesan Appeal funds recorded separately from contributions to Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD), and donation acknowledgement letters sent promptly.
While gifts to the diocesan Appeal go directly to individuals and Episcopal institutions in need, donations to ERD will come back to the region in the form of grants to wider communities and groups – generally beyond the Episcopal Church – identified to be in need. Meanwhile, the diocese has received a $20,000 emergency grant from ERD.
In addition, local congregations in devastated areas have launched their own emergency giving portals, to which generous giving also is encouraged.
- St. Mark’s, Altadena – where 40 homes of parishioners burned along with historic church and school buildings — has a giving portal here.
- St. Matthew’s Church – where an estimated 75% of parishioners have lost their homes, and parish school buildings and rectories have burned — has launched the Palisades Fire Pastoral Fund. Link is here.
- Pasadena’s St. Barnabas Church — where four parish families and numerous neighbors have lost homes – has established the ‘DENA Strong fund to which gifts may be made here.
- Pasadena’s All Saints Church — where 72 families and individuals have lost homes – is receiving relief donations here.
Church of Our Saviour, San Gabriel — where four homes of parishioners were lost along with a sober-living facility — is accepting donations on their website here (click “Give Now”).
