VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/13/11)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) is accepting requests for proposals (applications) for the 2011-2012 Palmer grants in partnership with the American Baptist Foundation. The grants will enhance ministries of discipleship and incarnational practice in American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) congregations and ABCUSA-related organizations. Grants of $5,000 to $25,000 will be awarded in fall 2011. Approved projects may be funded for one to two years.

The 2011-2012 theme for the ABHMS Palmer grants focuses on Luke 10:1‐9, in which Jesus sent his followers two by two into communities to heal the sick and announce the nearness of God’s reign. The passage communicates a sense of urgency to carry the Gospel (as in verse 4): “greet no one on the road.” The grants are meant to enhance outreach that is grounded in a study, community action and theological reflection methodology. The grant process is designed for participants to enable communities of radical discipleship who embody within their local contexts the caring heart, serving hands, going feet and prophetic voice of Jesus.

The Palmer grants bear the name of two lifelong Baptists—Virginia and Gordon Palmer Jr. Virginia came from what she termed a “very poor family.” A speech pathologist and educator, she helped to develop the speech and hearing clinic at Temple University, Philadelphia. Gordon, an electrical engineer and a founder of an electronics component company, was a son of Gordon Palmer Sr., an American Baptist pastor who later served as president of what is now known as Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa.

To be considered for a grant, 10 copies of your completed proposal, including all attachments, must be received by ABHMS no later than June 1, 2011. Materials should be sent to American Baptist Home Mission Societies, in care of Sue Peterman, either by certified mail to P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, Pa., 19482‐0851, or by UPS or FedEx overnight delivery to 588 N. Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pa., 19406.

For a downloadable request for proposal and additional information—including theme, methodology, expectations and submission instructions—go to www.abhms.org or contact Peterman at Susan.Peterman@abhms.org or 800‐222‐3872, x2422.

Si usted desea recibir información en español sobre las becas de Palmer para Discipulado y Practica Incarnacional, favor de llamar a Susan Bogle al 800- 222-3872, x2028. Formularios en español también están disponibles en la página del web ABHMS.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.