Lilly Endowment Awards Clergy Renewal Grants To Congregations In 40 states
Charlotte – Carmel Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Congratulations To Our Senior Pastor
James M. Szeyller Awarded - $45,321
A record number of congregations – 158 – have been selected for the 12th class of the National Clergy Renewal Program, funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. The program allows these congregations to send their pastors for an extended time of renewal and reflection. They can step back from their busy lives and gain the fresh perspective and renewed energy that a carefully considered season of travel, study, rest and prayer can provide.
Many of these pastors will work to regain spiritual vitality through the ancient Christian practice of walking as pilgrims in several countries: the path of Jesus in Israel, the path of the Exodus, some or all of the 500-mile Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) in Spain. Others plan extended time in retreat settings or monastic communities in the United States, Europe and Australia to devote themselves to Ignatian spiritual exercises or the Benedictine practice of hospitality. Still others will seek spiritual guidance and sustenance by becoming part of the Taize community in France known since 1940 for its strong devotion to peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Many pastors participate in the prayer and worship of the community on Iona, a tiny island off the west coast of Scotland whose monastic history goes back to the 6thcentury.
This class of 158 brings to 1,598 the number of congregations that have participated since the program began in 2000. Through this program the Endowment invites Christian congregations to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support an extended period of intentional reflection and renewal for their ministers. Working with their congregations, the ministers design their renewal periods to suit their own needs and aspirations. The pastors are encouraged to include their families in the renewal activities. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for the congregation to pay for interim pastoral leadership while the pastor is away, as well as for renewal activities within the congregations.
**The intensity and demanding character of pastoral work in most congregations is difficult for many to appreciate,said Craig Dykstra, senior vice president for religion at the Endowment.
**They write and preach sermons, make hospital visits, administer the business of their churches, preside at weddings and funerals, and counsel parishioners. And they are expected to ‗be there,‘ to be available at both the best and the most difficult times in people‘s lives.
**The National Clergy Renewal Program gives pastors the gift of being able to live for a while at a different pace and in an alternative environment – to live in sabbath time and space, and to honor that moment as God-given,Dykstra said. ―Many clergy renewal participants have reported to the Endowment that when they returned they found their vision for ministry enlarged and their call and commitment renewed.
**We find that these programs can be transformative for the congregation, too,Dykstra continued. ―Not only do members grow in their leadership abilities in the pastor‘s absence, they also learn how to create an environment at their churches that supports their pastor‘s continued service at a pace that he or she can sustain. Many of them discover ways to renew and refresh their own lives and spirits as well.
**What these pastors do with their three- or four-month ―gift of time‖ varies widely. Music makes the heart sing for many of these pastors, whether it‘s singing or lessons in flute, piano, cello or double bass. Pastors also plan to build guitars, study drumming in Uganda and attend the Oregon Bach Festival.
As in past years, clergy continue to pay attention to their health. Hikers will walk among the world‘s natural wonders – the Himalayas, Swiss Alps, mountains of Nepal, rim of the Grand Canyon. Bikers will cycle the coasts of England or take a riding tour of France. One runner will invite others to join him on a 30-mile leg of his planned 300-mile marathon. Many pastors will join health centers, begin or intensify a regular exercise program, or take classes to learn healthy cooking and food choices.
While several pastors will travel to the Mediterranean to follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul or to Israel for an archaeological dig or to take classes at St. George‘s College, one pastor will trace the footsteps of Dr. David Livingstone in England and Africa. Another is a descendant of John Knox, so his travels will lead him to his ancestral roots in Scotland. Other pastors will visit relatives in Vietnam, Korea, China and India or do mission work in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Kenya or other areas of Africa. Three plan to make a pilgrimage to the major sites of the
American civil rights movement, while several others will be in South Africa to learn about that country‘s efforts at reconciliation.
This year‘s group includes congregations in 40 states. For the first time, Alaska is represented with two Anchorage congregations. The grantees are affiliated with 23 denominational bodies; one is nondenominational and one is a union of two denominations. The average size of the grants is $43,177, and Endowment support for this 2011 program is $6.8 million. While 13 churches regularly see more than 1,000 at worship services, 75 report attendance ranging from 51 to 200.
All these renewal programs exhibit the basic thrust of the Endowment‘s initiative: a chance for congregations and ministers to engage in renewal of a kind that will have an important impact on their churches, their individual members and their communities.
The wealth of imagination unleashed by this program is truly wonderful to see,‖ said the Endowment‘s Dykstra. We can think of no better way to honor these hardworking, faithful men and women than to help them experience personal growth and renewal in ways that they themselves believe will feed them most deeply
The Endowment will continue the program in 2012. Application materials are available at clergyrenewal.org.
Please see the attached list of recipients. Click Here
Lilly Endowment Awards Clergy Renewal Grants To Congregations In 40 states
Charlotte – Carmel Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Congratulations To Our Senior Pastor
James M. Szeyller Awarded - $45,321
A record number of congregations – 158 – have been selected for the 12th class of the National Clergy Renewal Program, funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. The program allows these congregations to send their pastors for an extended time of renewal and reflection. They can step back from their busy lives and gain the fresh perspective and renewed energy that a carefully considered season of travel, study, rest and prayer can provide.
Many of these pastors will work to regain spiritual vitality through the ancient Christian practice of walking as pilgrims in several countries: the path of Jesus in Israel, the path of the Exodus, some or all of the 500-mile Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) in Spain. Others plan extended time in retreat settings or monastic communities in the United States, Europe and Australia to devote themselves to Ignatian spiritual exercises or the Benedictine practice of hospitality. Still others will seek spiritual guidance and sustenance by becoming part of the Taize community in France known since 1940 for its strong devotion to peace and justice through prayer and meditation. Many pastors participate in the prayer and worship of the community on Iona, a tiny island off the west coast of Scotland whose monastic history goes back to the 6thcentury.
This class of 158 brings to 1,598 the number of congregations that have participated since the program began in 2000. Through this program the Endowment invites Christian congregations to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support an extended period of intentional reflection and renewal for their ministers. Working with their congregations, the ministers design their renewal periods to suit their own needs and aspirations. The pastors are encouraged to include their families in the renewal activities. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for the congregation to pay for interim pastoral leadership while the pastor is away, as well as for renewal activities within the congregations.
**The intensity and demanding character of pastoral work in most congregations is difficult for many to appreciate,said Craig Dykstra, senior vice president for religion at the Endowment.
**They write and preach sermons, make hospital visits, administer the business of their churches, preside at weddings and funerals, and counsel parishioners. And they are expected to ‗be there,‘ to be available at both the best and the most difficult times in people‘s lives.
**The National Clergy Renewal Program gives pastors the gift of being able to live for a while at a different pace and in an alternative environment – to live in sabbath time and space, and to honor that moment as God-given,Dykstra said. ―Many clergy renewal participants have reported to the Endowment that when they returned they found their vision for ministry enlarged and their call and commitment renewed.
**We find that these programs can be transformative for the congregation, too,Dykstra continued. ―Not only do members grow in their leadership abilities in the pastor‘s absence, they also learn how to create an environment at their churches that supports their pastor‘s continued service at a pace that he or she can sustain. Many of them discover ways to renew and refresh their own lives and spirits as well.
**What these pastors do with their three- or four-month ―gift of time‖ varies widely. Music makes the heart sing for many of these pastors, whether it‘s singing or lessons in flute, piano, cello or double bass. Pastors also plan to build guitars, study drumming in Uganda and attend the Oregon Bach Festival.
As in past years, clergy continue to pay attention to their health. Hikers will walk among the world‘s natural wonders – the Himalayas, Swiss Alps, mountains of Nepal, rim of the Grand Canyon. Bikers will cycle the coasts of England or take a riding tour of France. One runner will invite others to join him on a 30-mile leg of his planned 300-mile marathon. Many pastors will join health centers, begin or intensify a regular exercise program, or take classes to learn healthy cooking and food choices.
While several pastors will travel to the Mediterranean to follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul or to Israel for an archaeological dig or to take classes at St. George‘s College, one pastor will trace the footsteps of Dr. David Livingstone in England and Africa. Another is a descendant of John Knox, so his travels will lead him to his ancestral roots in Scotland. Other pastors will visit relatives in Vietnam, Korea, China and India or do mission work in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Kenya or other areas of Africa. Three plan to make a pilgrimage to the major sites of the
American civil rights movement, while several others will be in South Africa to learn about that country‘s efforts at reconciliation.
This year‘s group includes congregations in 40 states. For the first time, Alaska is represented with two Anchorage congregations. The grantees are affiliated with 23 denominational bodies; one is nondenominational and one is a union of two denominations. The average size of the grants is $43,177, and Endowment support for this 2011 program is $6.8 million. While 13 churches regularly see more than 1,000 at worship services, 75 report attendance ranging from 51 to 200.
All these renewal programs exhibit the basic thrust of the Endowment‘s initiative: a chance for congregations and ministers to engage in renewal of a kind that will have an important impact on their churches, their individual members and their communities.
The wealth of imagination unleashed by this program is truly wonderful to see,‖ said the Endowment‘s Dykstra. We can think of no better way to honor these hardworking, faithful men and women than to help them experience personal growth and renewal in ways that they themselves believe will feed them most deeply
The Endowment will continue the program in 2012. Application materials are available at clergyrenewal.org.
Please see the attached list of recipients. Click Here