Your congregation is invited to apply for an Open Doors grant to support your ministries as we resume in-person worship and gatherings.

How can we meet new people, especially as we crave community following a time of unprecedented isolation? How might we stay connected with people who have not visited our church buildings but joined us online? Have an idea? Apply and learn more at ELCA.org/OpenDoors.

• April 21, 2021: Grant application opens.

• May 14, 2021: Deadline to register in ELCA GrantMaker in order to fill out an application.

• May 19, 2021: Grant application closes.

• Mid-June 2021: Grants are awarded.

Dear friends in ministry,

Thank you for all the ways your congregation has served your community with compassion and creativity, even as physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we worship and meet. With vaccinations becoming available to more of the population, we hold onto hope that we may be able to gather safely in physical spaces in the upcoming months, as public health recommendations allow. We know that this time of transition will look different to different communities, depending on local COVID-19 considerations. One thing that remains the same, though, is our call to share the good news so that more people may know the way of Jesus.

Beginning today, your congregation is invited to apply for an Open Doors Grant. Any ELCA congregation can apply for funding with a specific and actionable idea for how its ministry might meet new people while we consider this time of transition and regather in community as COVID-19 considerations allow.

What does an actionable, specific and new idea look like?

Don’t overthink it! Most congregations have been innovating and adapting in real time throughout the pandemic. A good place to start is where the church always has started — with people. Whom have you met during this pandemic time, and who is God calling you to love and serve today?

• Are there students in your area who are craving connection in new ways?

• Have you “met” new people who joined your virtual worship or digital activities? How might we stay connected with people who have not visited our church buildings but have joined us online?

• Have you built new connections with health care workers, first responders and other essential workers? How might they feel invited into the life of your congregation?

• How can your congregation be intentional about making new connections during this anticipated time of transition?

Have an idea? Grant applications are now open at ELCA.org/OpenDoors.

Want to share your idea and inspire others? Add it to our virtual idea-sharing space! You don’t have to apply for a grant to share your ministry idea for (safely!) meeting new people. And, you just might be inspired by someone else’s idea!

A good idea can come from anywhere, and though not every good idea needs money, no good idea should be held back due to a lack of seed money to get it started.

Open doors invite us in to gather, and open doors send us out to meet our neighbors. Apply today!