Parish resources

Congregational team spirit

Over the years many parishes have found that working together to raise funds for the Bishop’s Fund for Children has had the added benefit of building congregational “team” spirit.

The Bishop's 5K for Kids ( www.bishops5kforkids.org )

 
This 5K road race (3.1 miles) takes place every May, the Saturday after Mothers' Day. It is open to runners and walkers. Organizing a team to race, making announcements on Sunday mornings, and gathering pledges to support your team gets everyone, of  all ages involved. Some parishes...

•      Wear team t-shirts or hats, or carry balloons on race day
•      Have a special dinner the night before the race
•      Have a special recognition of team members and pledgers the following Sunday morning to celebrate.

Designated offerings:

For special services, like confirmations, Bishops' visitations, new ministry, children's services, baptisms, concerts, etc., consider designating the collection, for the Bishop's Fund for Children.

Here are some creative ways parishes have supported the Bishop's Fund for Children:

• St. Michael's, Naugatuck - proceeds from the Village Greens Fair and Naugatuck Teen Theater productions
• Trinity Church, Portland - Every year a group of parishioners taps maple trees, collects sap and sells the syrup
• Epiphanie Eglise, Stamford - Their summer camp (a bIshop'd Fund grant recipeint) gives back each year by having the children collect change in mite boxes
• Grace Church, Windsor does a Sunday School penny collection and St. John's, West Hartford has penny wars
• Christ Church Cathedral's artists donate proceeds from their annual art show
• Ben Larson, son of the Rev. Erik W. Larsen, canon for transition ministry, has used his talent as a cellist and organized concerts all over the state - he alone has raised thousands of dollars over the years

Thanks to all of the parishes in the diocese who have donated, volunteered, prayed, ran/walked, sponsored, collected, and helped countless children in Connecticut !