World Service Contingency Fund

The Revs. Joel Hortiales (center, in blue blazer) and David Farley (to Hortiales' right) join parishioners of the Border Church in Tijuana, Mexico, as they lift their arms skyward beneath the fence that marks the border with the U.S.

The World Service Contingency Fund (WSCF) is a way to expand ministry beyond what has been anticipated and to address emerging missional priorities. The Connectional Table (CT) receives and reviews applications to the WSCF for ministry projects in the World Service Fund areas, and works with the General Secretaries Table to assess applications.

This fund has provided needed ministry to address global migration, poverty, domestic violence prevention, global health and a variety of other ministry areas. The CT cannot itself seek monies from this fund. The World Service Contingency Fund mandates are explained in the Book of Discipline (¶ 806.3d).

Examples of ministries supported by this fund since 2016 include:

  • The collaborative work of the Council of Bishop’s Immigration Task Force to address the global migration/immigration crisis;
  • General Commission on United Methodist Men creation and launching of a curriculum to engage men in ending domestic violence;
  • The Global AIDS Task Force of the General Board of Church and Society;
  • General Commission on the Status and Role of Women’s boundaries training “Do No Harm” events and leadership development training in Central Conferences including production of the award-winning, “Whispers with Stones” videos on sexual misconduct; 
  • Seed money grants for racial justice ministry projects initiated and led by young people;
  • Support for a project between the General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Commission on Archives and History to fund research, training and creation of historical resources. This project honored the 50th anniversary of The UMC, focusing on the end of the Central Jurisdiction and institutionalized segregation in the denomination, and promoting conversations about diversity in the church today;
  • Ministry in the Democratic Republic of Congo to support civic elections with work done by the General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries; and
  • A pre-general conference briefing hosted by all the general agencies and the Council of Bishops for all Central Conference delegates. 

Application form and criteria for a grant.

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