On October 8th the Diocese of New York and New Jersey was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Forum for Theological Exploration [FTE], a Christian ecumenical organization that provides grants, fellowships, and other resources to cultivate tomorrow's leaders in the church. The “Recruitment for Ministry Grant” provides leaders in the church opportunities to identify young adults with gifts for ministry, accompany them in the exploration of their purpose and cultivate them for Christian leadership. The grant will fund “Exploring Ministry: A Day in NYC for Youth and Young Adults to Learn How They Can Serve the Church and Change their World” slated to be held in the Spring of 2016.

FTE awards grants to diverse alumni who are leaders of congregations, academic institutions or church-related organizations. Father Matthew Brown (Rector, Holy Apostles Church in Saddle Brook NJ), an alumni of FTE, researched and wrote the grant proposal. Father Matthew was a recipient of a fellowship from FTE while he was in seminary.

“Exploring Ministry: A Day in NYC for Youth and Young Adults to Learn How They Can Serve the Church and Change their World” will draw young men and women from across the diocese and other neighboring jurisdictions and give them an opportunity to hear from men and women who are currently serving the church in a variety of roles such as missionaries, parish priests, deacons, monastics, professors, choir directors, and social workers. It will also provide an opportunity for these young adults to meet peers exploring ministry in the church.

Details regarding this upcoming event will be available in 2016.