Announcing new grant program to support Invite Welcome Connect ministries

The Diocese of Newark is launching an exciting new parish-focused grant program to support churches in cultivating deeper practices of evangelism, hospitality, and community formation through the Invite Welcome Connect ministry.

Grants of up to $2,000 per parish – or $5,500 for joint applications between two or more parishes – will be awarded to fund creative and intentional projects aligned with these values.

The application period opens August 15 and runs through October 15.

Invite Welcome Connect is grounded in the Gospel mandate to “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and it provides a powerful framework for reimagining how we welcome newcomers, connect with one another, and share our faith.

To get started, it is recommended that parish leaders take advantage of the free, 24/7 access to the full Invite Welcome Connect Digital Library, which includes video workshops, checklists, and more, Parish leaders are strongly encouraged to begin exploring these resources now, in advance of the grant period. Passcode is: IWC2025_M28:19

The accompanying book, Invite Welcome Connect by Mary Parmer, is also available from major booksellers and provides an excellent foundation for ministry teams.

This is an opportunity for your parish to strengthen its ministry culture and reach new people in transformative ways.

For more information see this Fact Sheet.

Questions? Contact Canon Margo Peckham Clark or Cynthia McChesney.