Boston, MA – On Friday May 1, 2020, the Massachusetts Council of Churches launched the One Church Fund a major fundraising effort to support immigrant, Black, unhoused, and unaffiliated churches during COVID19. “Churches are essential service providers, especially in immigrant, Black, poor, and homeless communities,” said Rev. David Wright, Executive Director of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston, serving on the One Church Fund Disbursement Committee. “Humanitarian needs are increasing exponentially during COVID19. Immigrant churches and Black churches need help now to serve our communities.”

One Church Fund aims to provide financial, practical, and relational support to churches doing essential ministry in communities which have borne the brunt of systemic inequities since long before COVID19. One Church Fund will raise resources for immigrant, Black, poor, unhoused, and unaffiliated churches. One Church Mutual Aid offers a platform for people to share and seek skills.

“We are writing history now,” said Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches. “God’s economy is not the coronavirus economy. We believe there is enough for everyone, if we share. This is our opportunity to be the Church that is holy, brave, and just.”

MCC President and Senior Pastor of Old South Union Church in Weymouth Rev. Jennie Barrett Siegal said, “One Church Fund is a thoughtful, faithful, and prophetic call to the common cause for building up the whole body of Christ. We invite all people who care about justice to give and ask for what they need.”

MCC Past President Anthony Barsamian said, “As Armenian Orthodox Christians, arriving on these shores as refugees 100 years ago, we are keenly aware and appreciate those who opened homes and parishes to worship and provide food, shelter and financial opportunities to start over. Now is the moment when we help our neighbors to ensure that there is enough for everyone.”

The Massachusetts Council of Churches is the state’s ecumenical network of eighteen Orthodox and Protestant denominations in the Commonwealth with thousands of affiliated congregations. Modeled on the Boston Marathon bombing One Fund and the national “Churches Helping Churches” initiative, One Church Fund will open for applications when the initial fundraising goal of $50,000 is met.

Individuals, congregations, foundations, businesses, interfaith partners, and people of good will are invited to give generously, share their skills and ask for what they need.