| Striving to make visible God's gift (John 17:21) of unity in Jesus Christ and the quality of community God wills for the human family.
The Church Federation brings together Christian groups (denominations, congregations, church-based and parachurch organizations and Christian educational institutions) to fellowship and to celebrate our diversity, to serve one another and to serve the community.
For 94 years, with ever changing societal and cultural issues, the Federation has organized, energized and mobilized the Christian faith community to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As a catalyst for creating and strengthening relationships across congregational, denominational and ministry lines, The Church Federation facilitates the unity to organize, energize and mobilize...!
For more information, also see The Church Federation's 2006 Annual Report.
CHURCH FEDERATION PROGRAMS
Benevolence Ministry-C.R.O.P. (Church World Service)
Provides small grants to churches or faith-based communities to assist in establishing programs that foster unity and collaboration with community concerns such as education, crime, race relations and hunger. CROP grants are also distributed from Church World Service “CROP WALK” funds. For more details, see the program brochure.
“Celebration of Hope” (Racial Reconciliation Focus Groups)
The Church Federation is a co-partner for convening cross-racial dialogue among both laity and clergy within the religious and secular communities. As a partner with “Celebration of Hope,” an annual cross-racial worship service is held. Focus group gatherings throughout the year open follow-up dialogue.
Clergy ID Badge Program
The Church Federation identifies ministers and provides photo ID badges to facilitate their ministries in specialized settings and working with other organizations that are in need of pastoral care.
Congregational Mentoring Program
Youth and family mentoring programs are offered through New Birth Ministries/Emmanual Christian Fellowship on the south side of Indianapolis and at First Meridian Heights (The Joy Program) on the north side of Indianapolis.
The Ecumenical Project for Reconciliation & Healing (EPRH)
Laity and clergy are trained to serve as mentors to individuals and families affected by homicide. These “survivors” are also victims who struggle with the pain and anguish of violent death. EPRH mentors have made contact with hundreds of families in an attempt to stand with them and show them Christ’s compassion during extremely painful times. For more details, see the program brochure.
Prayer Vigils
After every homicide in Indianapolis, family members, friends and other caring Christians from across the city gather together at the site of the violent death to pray for victims and survivors. Services of Remembrance and Peacemaking are held twice yearly on behalf of the victims’ loved ones. “To stand in prayer with families who have lost a loved one is a grace-filled moment,” says Coordinator Joe Zelenka. “To hear the prayers of families who are asking for grace from God to truly forgive the perpetrator is for me a sign of God’s presence."
Services of Reconciliation & Healing
After every homicide in Indianapolis, family members, friends and other caring Christians from across the city gather together at the site of the violent death to pray for victims and survivors. Services of Remembrance and Peacemaking are held twice yearly on behalf of the victims’ loved ones. “To stand in prayer with families who have lost a loved one is a grace-filled moment,” says Coordinator Joe Zelenka. “To hear the prayers of families who are asking for grace from God to truly forgive the perpetrator is for me a sign of God’s presence."
Mentoring Program for Families Affected by Homicide
After every homicide in Indianapolis, family members, friends and other caring Christians from across the city gather together at the site of the violent death to pray for victims and survivors. Services of Remembrance and Peacemaking are held twice yearly on behalf of the victims’ loved ones. “To stand in prayer with families who have lost a loved one is a grace-filled moment,” says Coordinator Joe Zelenka. “To hear the prayers of families who are asking for grace from God to truly forgive the perpetrator is for me a sign of God’s presence."
Faith & Fathers Mentoring Program
Young men in the Indianapolis area Juvenile Correctional Facility have an opportunity to turn their lives around through the weekly visits of mentors from area congregations, as well as fatherhood classes and counseling support. The mentors are men of faith trained to give spiritual encouragement to youth as a brother in Christ and to provide witness to responsible parenting as a friend.
Hispanic-Latino Forum
This effort brings community members together to discuss and address the issues of central Indiana’s growing Hispanic-Latino population. At each seminar, the forum hosts civic and church leaders of the Hispanic-Latino and non-Hispanic-Latino communities. “Cultural encounter initiatives” and “public forums” facilitate opportunities for cross-cultural relationships in an environment that promotes dynamic common experiences.
Loaves & Fishes Advocacy Network
Churches are often the first and most frequented place for people who seek immediate assistance. Yet churches can be ill prepared to deal with those appearing on their doorstep. Loaves & Fishes aims to optimize the delivery of church-based social services and spiritual support. The program fosters collaborative resources and provides the professional expertise of participating churches that serve as sponsors. In doing so, individual and family needs are met with insightful, specific and appropriate support.
Ministry to Women in Prison
Through this ministry, The Church Federation offers resources and programming designed and implemented by a coalition of clergy, laity and community partners to address the unique needs of women presently in prison and those recently released, as well as their children.
Television Programming
These Federation-produced programs air weekly:
Faces of Faith—Look for a new time and location in 2007. Engages the sacred and secular in a discussion on contemporary issues of faith.
Religion in the News—Sundays, WISH-TV at 5 a.m. Returning on May 20, 2007 after a brief hiatus, this new and improved program provides a forum for diverse ministries to share activities through interviews and calendar announcements.
Time for Timothy—This classic religious-based program for children is available on DVD.
What About the Children? Building Relationships Between Faith & Education
A partnership, including IPS, that encourages congregations and schools to work together to address the problems of children and youth through after-school programs, Saturday academies, tutoring and other specialized programs.
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