The following was shared with future Living Waters Clergy on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
The Beloved Community Fund: Growing Our Mission, Strengthening Our Congregations
Beloved Colleagues,
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin introduced the Beloved Community Fund during our recent Regional Assembly. This new initiative is designed to strengthen existing congregations and ministries as they live out the call to serve God and neighbor.
Rooted in our commitment to building beloved community, this initiative reflects our shared vision of growing the table through Worship, Wellness, and the Work of Mission. We recognize that our congregations are often on the front lines of responding to the needs of their communities. From feeding hungry neighbors and supporting individuals experiencing homelessness to providing care for clergy during seasons of transition, our congregations are doing the essential work of embodying Christ’s love in tangible ways.
The Beloved Community Fund is intended to provide financial support to existing congregations seeking assistance with outreach and mission initiatives, including food pantries, ministries serving unhoused neighbors, and other community-based programs. The fund will also provide support for pastoral needs, including sabbaticals and relocation assistance, recognizing the importance of clergy wellness and the sustainability of congregational ministry.
During our recent Regional Assembly, generous gifts totaling $3,842.00 were received to launch this important initiative. We are grateful for the generosity of those who contributed and for their commitment to investing in the life and witness of our congregations. These gifts represent more than financial contributions; they are an investment in ministry, community, and the future of the Church.
We are already witnessing the impact of this generosity! Villa Park Christian Church has received a partial grant to assist with its relocation to a new church home. Gifts to the Beloved Community Fund helped fund a portion of the technology needed to support the congregation’s move and its continued ministry in a new space. We celebrate Villa Park Christian Church and are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside this congregation during an important season of transition.
As we move forward, we will work collaboratively with the Region’s Governance, Policy, and Procedures Committee to establish the policies and guidelines necessary to administer the grant responsibly, transparently, and equitably. We will also work with the Church Foundation to explore the development of an endowment that can grow the fund and provide a sustainable source of support for congregations and ministries in the years ahead.
You can still make a gift to the Beloved Community Fund! Every contribution helps us build a stronger foundation for congregations and ministries throughout our Region. When making your donation, please clearly indicate that your gift is designated for the Beloved Community Fund so that your generosity can be directed to this initiative.
The Beloved Community Fund is an expression of who we are called to be as the Church: a community that shares its resources, supports one another through seasons of challenge and change, and invests in ministries that bring hope and healing to the world.
As we continue building the future of our Region and preparing for the emergence of the Living Waters Region, we invite congregations, clergy, and friends of the Church to join us in nurturing this initiative. Together, we can ensure that congregations have access to resources that strengthen their ministries, support their leaders, and extend the reach of Christ’s love into the communities they serve.
When we invest in one another, we strengthen the whole Church. When we share our gifts, we grow the Beloved Community.
Amen. Asé!
Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr.