Wellness Grants
Critical Clergy Needs Committee
The Diocesan Fund for Critical Clergy Needs (CCN) is an endowed fund that provides financial grants to the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of New York to assist with the cost of critical needs in the general categories of healthcare, financial hardship, the education of their children, and clergy wellness.
The CCN Committee is a group of lay and ordained people resident in the Episcopal Diocese of New York who have been appointed by the Bishop of New York to discern the distribution of monies from the CCN Fund.
Clergy Wellness Initiative
As clergy, along with joys and celebrations of those in our flock, we regularly attend to loss, despair, scarcity, uncertainty, schisms, and fear. While such challenges are local to us in our communities, we also are exposed to these realities in our national and global context with an unrelenting frequency.
Jesus models a way of wholeness amidst continuous need and challenge:
- Rest
- Prayer
- Shared meals
- Celebration
- Silence
- Curiosity
- Truth telling
Our Clergy Wellness Initiative offers funding to facilitate the practices and experience that support your wholeness, as you minister in these times. .
The CCN Committee considers wellness to be a critical need for clergy and we recognize that clergy are often the best judge of how to manage their own wellness. These grants function differently than other Clergy Critical Needs grants.
How is Wellness different from Healthcare?
While the two are inter-related, the CCN sees our Wellness Grants as an opportunity to help the individual cleric support their overall mental, spiritual, and emotional health. When we are out of balance in one area, our whole being can be dramatically affected, often leading to other heath or financial issues. We hope that these grants will encourage our clergy to take the time and space they need to tend to their own wellness.
What kinds of things are covered by this grant?
Simply defined: Clergy spiritual and emotional wellbeing as defined by the cleric. Examples: retreats, coaching, spiritual direction, online retreat/course, attending a conference, pitching a tent in the woods, etc.
How much can be applied for?
Up to $500 once per calendar year. It is advised that the cleric consider all the costs involved including fees, travel, meals, childcare, etc. when applying. No documentation of costs is required.
What is the deadline for this grant?
The Wellness Grants are the only category of grants that are awarded on a rolling basis. Every month, members of the CCN Committee will review the applications and contact the clerics.
Questions? Contact the Critical Clergy Needs Committee Co-Chairs, the Rev. Ben Nnaji and the Rev. Michelle Meech by emailing wellness@dioceseny.org