2023 PoP + Zion Distributions Have Been Made

​The PoP+Zion committee was able to support 22 programs and organizations with our 2023 distributions. The first round of applications and grants went out in the spring, with a second round in the fall. We are excited to continue our mission to Do More Good by supporting the following-

• Creating a concert series at Prince of Peace to both entertain and attract potential new members, upholding our tradition of having strong and compelling music programing 
• Supporting congregants in need via the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund
• Providing a joyful and music-filled banquet for this year’s Synod Assembly after a few tumultuous years and a stressful election process
• Formerly homeless to maintain stability through Lutheran Social Services
• Sending kids from Harmony Community Cares in Chicago to summer camp
• Continuing the community-building and educational Table Talks program here at PoP
• Providing spiritually-lead advocacy for reproductive justice via the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
• Youth leadership retreat at Mt. Cross for Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee (SPSYC) 
• Theater and performing arts programming at Harmony Community Cares
• Computer upgrades for the staff at Family Supportive Housing so they can better serve their community 
• A pickleball court on campus at PoP for intergenerational and active fellowship opportunities
• Humanitarian aid efforts to support Ukraine with Hearts for Ukraine
• Women in Haiti, empowering them with life skills for a life of dignity and hope
• LGBTQIA clergy attending the Proclaim conference lead by Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries
• Free vision care and eyeglasses for low-income community members with AINAK
• Direct assistance to farmworkers in Pajaro following catastrophic flooding with Casa de la Cultura
• Creating a community Resilience Hub at Galilee Lutheran Church to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies
• Supporting our intern and her learning journey at PoP via the Intern Fund
• Supporting for a refugee family currently being supported by many members of PoP
• A service and fellowship group started at PoP who make blankets for the Linus Project
• A gaga ball pit for our PoP youth to play in created by Drew Soleberg’s Eagle project

​As a reminder, the PoP+Zion Endowment Fund was made possible by Zion Lutheran Church (Zion) joining Prince of Peace (PoP) and the sale of their property. By constitution and congregational decision, the PoP+Zion Investment Committee determines the amount available for distribution annually. 

The distribution is to be allocated by the following percentages by category: 
a) Synod – 15%, 
b) Property – 30%, 
c) PoP Missions – 30%, 
d) General Applications – 25%. 

The PoP+Zion Distribution Committee focuses on applications received for parts c) and d).

In total the Pop+Zion Distribution Committee helped to distribute $84,085 over 2023, 
with an additional $22,855 going to the Synod and $45,710 going to Property.