Lilly Grant Update 1: Our Listening Cohorts Launched and Care Packages Sent

The presbytery is excited to announce the launch of a new program made possible by a recently received Lilly grant.  As part of the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving in Ministry 2020 Initiative, this endeavor seeks to assist clergy in operating from a position of having and being enough, rather than the often used dichotomy of either scarcity or abundance.  In particular, this grant is focused on clergy who serve congregations of color, small churches, or church (re)plants.

Fourteen pastors will be participating in our initial conversations, as we seek to glean information from their experiences and contexts.  Rather than assume a solution, we are spending time listening through one-on-one conversations and group discussions.  The pastors who are part of this cohort are: Randy Barge, Rebecca Blake, Laura Colee, Wonjae Choi, Janel Dixon, Tim Dooner, Gadiel Gomez, Carroll Jenkins, Carla Jones-Brown, Jieun Lee, Eustacia Moffett-Marshall, Kari Olson, Schaunel Steinnagel, and Brenton Thompson.  From these conversations and discussions, we will plan ways to support and encourage their ministries utilizing tools such as small groups, spiritual workshops, and a weekend retreat.

During this time of listening and planning, we are also applying for a substantial Lilly grant that would sustain such a program for more pastors in these contexts over the next several years.  Larissa Kwong Abazia is serving as the program director for our current initiative, and Sarah Colwill is acting as program support.  We are encouraged in the midst of so much uncertainty to be launching this new program.  Please keep us in prayer as we seek to embolden and assist our clergy so they can thrive in their leadership as they seek to be the body of Christ in their particular contexts.