Ministry Outside the Parish (M.O.P.)

What is St. Paul’s M.O.P.?

Ministry Outside the Parish (M.O.P.), as a committee, evolved from discussions after the devastating fire that nearly burned down St. Paul’s in January of 1976.

Some members of the parish felt that since there were two other Episcopal churches in Brookline the church should not be rebuilt. That group wanted instead to give the money received from insurance to aid outside organizations that help those in need.

The final decision of the St. Paul’s community in 1978, after a large insurance settlement on the lost sanctuary stained glass windows had been received, was a compelling and courageous compromise: the church would be rebuilt but without restoring the elaborate stained glass and money would be allocated every year thereafter to other organizations for the support of ”Christian purposes outside of St. Paul’s." The visionary compromise has turned out to amount to more aid for those outside the parish than if the original money was given away and the parish had never been rebuilt.

FUNDING

Initially, the amount set aside each year was the income from a $100,000 bond (in the late 1970s, that was about $10,000 per year). That amount changed when the bond used to fund Ministry Outside the Parish was sold in the mid-1980s. The amount set aside then became 10% of the previous year’s income, less the previous year's M.O.P. budget. In the mid 2000s before calculating the M.O.P. budget, the previous year’s diocesan assessment was also subtracted from income. Ten percent (10%) as a biblical tithe continues to be an important guideline.

Currently, the M.O.P. formula is 10% of the previous year’s pledge income.

WHO Is Eligible to RECEIVE M.O.P. FUNDS?

Since the early 1990’s there has been a tradition of awarding grants to organizations recommended by a St. Paul’s congregant, who is now named in the grant application. The areas of focus of recipient organizations can vary. For example, organizations receiving an M.O.P. grant may do work to fight poverty, do community service, promote social justice or support health-related causes. The grants go to: a) groups locally within the Boston area, b) groups within the United States, and c) international efforts, on an approximately 1/3,1/3,1/3 basis. There is also a mandate that M.O.P. respond to immediate needs presented by crises or disasters at the global, national, or local level. In the case of disaster relief, a grant application is not required, only an affirmative majority vote of the M.O.P. committee.

While it is not a requirement that a grant be sponsored by a St. Paul’s member, it is a preference of MOP that this be the case. Engaging the parish in ministry outside the parish is an important part of M.O.P.’s mission. Priority is given to small organizations, for which a grant of no more that $2,500 will have significant impact.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A M.O.P. GRANT?

Simply use the outline in the M.O.P. Grant Application form (MS Version) to structure your response.  Email or mail the completed application as indicated at the bottom of the form. Applications will not be considered if they are incomplete.   Whenever possible M.O.P. makes a wire transfer from St Paul’s bank to the bank of the organization awarded the grant.  If necessary, a check can be sent to the organization.  Grants cannot be awarded for personal expenses, projects, or ventures.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR AN MOP GRANT, AND WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF I HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING?

MOP grant applications should be submitted via email to MOP@stpaulsbrookline.org. Applications are accepted year-round and will be decided on the following schedule:

Round One: Application Due, March 3; Proposal Forum, March 17; Notification, April/May

Round Two: Application Due, May 26; Proposal Forum, June 9; Notification, July

Round Three: Application Due, September 29; Proposal Forum, October 20; Notification, November

CAN I GET ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING FOR A M.O.P. GRANT?

Yes!  Any M.O.P. Committee member would be happy to answer further questions and assist you in completing the application process. Contact any of the following members:

Chairs: Kate Kelley and Clara Batchelor Secretary: Tim Hintz

Members: Jay Ballard, Elisabeth Choi, Martha Curtis, Ouida Foster, Kate Kelley, Cricket Lewis, Steve Morrissey, Leahanne Sarlo, Georgia Smith, Sinjin Smith, The Ven. Pat Zifca,  (Kate Heaton, vestry liaison, non voting member).

HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT M.O.P.

HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED WITH M.O.P.?

All parishioners are invited to attend M.O.P. proposal forums and are encouraged to express their opinions on the applications.  A M.O.P. Committee member will take notes at each forum, and the M.O.P. members who are presenting applications will contact applicants, if necessary, following the forum with additional questions or concerns brought up at the forum. 

WHO CAN VOTE ON APPLICATIONS?

M.O.P. Committee members vote on applications at the meeting where the application is presented. All M.O.P. members are expected to read the applications prior to the meeting. Any parishioner who has attended at least two of the past year’s forums is welcome to join the Committee. 

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF M.O.P. COMMITTEE MEMBERS?

  • Attending all meetings.

  • Participating in one of several subcommittees: communications, outreach, and speaker series

  • Vetting and then presenting up to 1-2 applications at the forum for each cycle

  • Following up with applicants after the forum if necessary

  • Assisting in arranging related parish-wide activities

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE M.O.P. COMMITTEE CHAIR(S)?

  • Accepting applications

  • Coordinating application vetting by members

  • Setting proposal forum and funding meeting dates

  • Moderating proposal forums and funding meetings

  • Notifying applicants of funding decisions

  • Processing checks (in coordination with vestry treasurer/parish finance sec’y)

  • Submitting annual report of the committee

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE M.O.P. COMMITTEE SECRETARY?

  • Recording minutes of M.O.P. meetings

  • Accepting post-funding reports

  • Keeping account of M.O.P. funds (in coordination with the chairs)

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OUTREACH, AND SPEAKERS SERIES SUBCOMMITTEES?

  • Notifying the parish of awards in each cycle and engaging the parish in the work of M.O.P.

  • Notifying the parish of upcoming forums and M.O.P. presentations

  • Arranging related parish-wide enrichment activities

  • Outreach to worthy organizations to encourage grant requests

CAN PARISHIONERS APPLY FOR A M.O.P. GRANT?

Yes!  Parishioners involved in organizations that fall under the funding guidelines are encouraged to seek funding for those organizations and their projects.  Applications by parishioners are vetted and presented by a M.O.P. Committee member in the same manner as other proposals.  Parishioners applying may attend and answer questions during the proposal forum, but must leave during the vote making period. This also applies when M.O.P. Committee members make a grant application and are  asked to recuse themselves during the decision part of the meeting.

WHAT ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN FUNDED BY M.O.P. IN THE PAST?

M.O.P. has funded numerous organizations over its 30 year history.  The following are just a sample: