Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is a ministry arm of the Diocese of Northern California. Since its founding in 1970, ECS has assisted congregations who wish to make a difference in their communities. We accomplish this goal utilizing a group of financial grants that range from one to five years in length.
Our current grant cycle (2026-27) is referred to as our “Year of Abundance.” We distributed $55,250 to support congregations and community partners working to meet pressing needs across the Diocese! This year our funding supported food ministries, ministries that will focus on the well-being of vulnerable neighbors, ministries shaping leaders and ministries advancing social justice. We supported congregations that were reaching out to other ministries in new and creative ways. And, for the first time, we financially supported other diocesan ministries in their work (Cursillo, Health Ministries and the Diocesan Commission on Intercultural Ministries). For a full report on the details of this year’s grants, we invite you to visit our website: norcalecs.org.
ECS Board members have continued to deliver grant checks in person, when possible. The checks are presented to the congregations on a Sunday morning. We utilize this time to learn about our congregations and to talk about ECS and the work that we do.
Board members are also meeting with Diocesan partners to learn about the work that they do within the Diocese. This past year we have met with representatives from Social Justice, Health, Rainbow, and Refugees and Immigrants. These meetings include an invitation to apply for funding from the next ECS funding cycle. This upcoming year we hope to meet with representatives of The Foundation, Youth and the Disaster Resilience.
In 2021 we developed The Rt. Reverend Megan H. Traquair “Transformer Award.” These awards are given annually to smaller congregations in the Diocese who have made a real difference in their communities, working outside their church walls, doing outreach. This year we decided to focus our Transformer Awards on a different segment within the Diocese: OUR YOUTH!
- The first recipient of the Transformer Award is the congregation of St. Mary’s, Napa. Since 2008, St. Mary’s has been taking its youth on Sierra Service Project Mission trips. In 2026 St. Mary’s partnered with other churches and took a total of 13 youth and 4 adults to Arizona. They worked repairing roofs and building ramps for residents of a reservation. About 50 members of St. Mary’s and their families showed up to see the team off, a testament to the value the congregation places on this project. A check of $500 accompanies this award, to be used to support the project in the future!
- The second Transformer recipient is St. Paul’s, Benicia. St. Paul’s participates in Dignity Day, a biannual community event serving people experiencing homelessness in Solano County. St. Paul’s provides shelf-stable meals, hygiene supplies and pet food to the guests at Dignity Day. The children of St. Paul’s are central to this project. They engage in fundraising throughout the year, they package the food, and distribute the food at the event. St. Paul’s also hosts two large events to benefit the older youth in their community. They host s St. Patrick’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner and a chili dinner on the night of the Benicia Christmas Tree Lighting. These funds help send teens from Benicia High School to the Sierra Service Project Program, which helps to fulfill their school’s volunteer hours commitment. A check of $500 also goes to St. Paul’s, Benicia to help continue fundraising activities for their youth.
Lastly, the Episcopal Services Board of Directors want to say a big thank you to everyone who donates to ECS. Be on the lookout for information about our Fall Annual Appeal. We can assure you that every donation matters, no matter how small. Your support makes it possible for ECS to award grants that strengthen ministries and help communities build bridges with compassion, presence and hope!
