Welcome to the first issue of Golden Cross Connections, a free bimonthly electronic newsletter published by the Golden Cross Foundation (GCF). Founded in 2013, the GCF is a non-profit corporation and extension ministry of the Tennessee Conference of The United Methodist Church. It provides funding assistance for new and ongoing ministries and services with older adults in the Tennessee Conference and provides expertise and strategic planning to the conference for the expansion of innovative and effective ministries with older adults.

“You might say the foundation exists to give money away,” said GCF Executive Director Kent McNish. “Each year members of the GCF board gather to review and approve grant requests from United Methodist churches and organizations throughout the Tennessee Conference of The United Methodist Church.”

In 2018, 17 grants were awarded ranging from $1,325 to $60,000. Many of the churches receiving grant money applied it toward retrofitting their buildings with ramps, handrails, and grab bars to make them more accessible—inside and out—to people with limited mobility. Other churches used the money to make improvements in sound or projection systems to better accommodate people with vision or hearing issues. Money for the largest grant, $60,000, is being used by Open Table Nashville to build two new micro homes at The Village of Glencliff (on the grounds of Glencliff UMC) earmarked for older adults experiencing homelessness.

To date in 2019, the foundation has awarded 8 grants ranging from $1,000 to $8,000. Since 2013, the GCF has awarded over $425,000 to more than 45 United Methodist churches and organizations. Future issues of Connections will feature information about past or present GCF grant recipients and how the grant money is being used to benefit older adults in churches and communities in the Tennessee Conference as well as updates and information related to the foundation itself.

To receive future issues of Golden Cross Connections, email gcconnections@goldencrossfoundation.org. Thank you for your support and prayers!

Kent McNish
Executive Director, Golden Cross Foundation

Cindy Solomon
Golden Cross Connections Editor