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Bishop's Church Emergency Fund (BCEF)

Bishop's Church Emergency Fund

The Bishop’s Church Emergency Fund (BCEF) provides financial support for church buildings in the diocese needing repairs and renovation, usually with a special focus on emergency and unforeseen needs. Through the BCEF, you can support the critical needs identified by the Bishop.

A series of four calls per year go to members of the BCEF who have pledged in advance to support work the bishop deems important. To become a member of BCEF, please submit this online form.

(However, you do not need to be a member to contribute; anyone can make a gift any time at bcef.dioceseofnewark.org.)

The BCEF’s original purpose of missionary expansion came to a near halt during the depression when call after call paid mortgages and saved church buildings from being sold. In recent decades a majority of calls have helped congregations in aging buildings to repair and renovate. Our churches, like our bodies, are temples of the holy. They draw us inward to worship and grow spiritually. They propel us outward to work for justice and to offer hospitality where it is needed. They house the nurture of our congregations and their service to their neighborhoods. BCEF calls repair buildings, and they provide seed money for new mission programs.

Diocesan requirements for funding

There are basic diocesan requirements for each of the grants and loans. Churches must be in compliance with canonical requirements, including current parochial reports; audits; and current pledge card on file. Certain grant programs of the diocese require additional compliance such as Safeguarding God's Children.