The Presbytery of Baltimore’s first Congregational Transformation Grants are bearing fruit, and 2026 applications are open now.
What does church renewal look like in 2025? Across the Presbytery of Baltimore, it looks like a lot of different things.
Thirteen congregations received Congregational Transformation Grants last spring, awards of $3,000–$10,000 for initiatives in evangelism, discipleship, technology, hospitality, and accessibility. Six months in, here’s a glimpse of what’s happening.
Faith Presbyterian installed a commercial dishwasher that had been broken for five years, and immediately hosted four community meals, plus a cooking program for teens from a residential treatment facility across the street. “On the surface, it looks like we just want to install a dishwasher,” their application read. “But at its heart, this is community caring, peace-building, justice work.” Their interim report said it simply: SUCCESS!!!
Dickey Memorial launched a weekly Taizé contemplative service, drawing people who are grieving, searching, or simply in need of a quiet place to breathe. One attendee comes every week to help her husband prepare for death. Another is a Catholic neighbor who found his way in and hasn’t left.
Madison Avenue renamed and deepened their initiative to “L’Academie (UBUNTU)” — I am because we are. Five youth were baptized. Sunday School relaunched after 18 months dormant. A community garden is being planted. Youth participants have grown from 12 to 16, and the children are leading the way.
Towson Presbyterian’s LOGOs program drew 60+ participants per session in its first fall run, weaving together multiple generations around a shared meal. Their P5 Moms Connect group has quietly become a place where divorced mothers find each other, where preschool families find a church home, where grandmothers find new community.
Chestnut Grove’s “Be the Bridge” campaign set out to connect the congregation with the 250+ families already using their building through preschool, scouts, theater, and AA — and at least one new family has already joined the church as a result.
Ark and Dove, Knox, First & Franklin, Havre de Grace, and Springfield are all investing in technology and communications — upgrading hybrid meeting rooms, digital signs, websites, and streaming capability — to reach members and neighbors wherever they are.
Hope Presbyterian has youth ages 5–15 leading worship every second Sunday. The congregation is showering them with gifts. “The youth are now inviting their friends to worship.”
Frostburg renovated bathrooms that hadn’t been touched since the 1960s, making them ADA accessible for the first time. Pastor Stan Howes: “We are a church of older people so as they say our prayers are answered.”
These projects share almost nothing on the surface. Underneath, they share everything: congregations rising to the occasion, and finding new ways to grow their ministries.
2026 applications are open through May 1. Grants of $3,000–$10,000 are available. If you want to know what the process is like, there are now thirteen congregations who would be glad to tell you. Apply now
