Note to media: Please check the list of recipients in the body of this release to see if a congregation(s) in your community is among award recipients. This release and a full list of recipients is available at https://www.cts.edu/cpe/clergy-renewal/resources/#grantees and www.lillyendowment.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2022
Contact: Robert Saler 317-931-2348 / rsaler@cts.edu
Christian Theological Seminary, an ecumenical seminary based in Indianapolis, today announces 197 U.S. congregations have been selected to receive grants through the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program and the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations. The grants help congregations honor and support their pastors by funding a respite from ministerial duties and enabling pastors to engage in a period of extended reflection and renewal. Recipients may use the respite for activities that allow them to reflect and renew while engaging in activities such a travel, scholarly research or immersive experiences with different cultures and traditions.
“Pastors play such an important role in nurturing our spiritual lives and guiding the ministries of our congregations,” said Christopher Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “The past two years have been exceptionally challenging for pastoral leaders as they have helped their congregations navigate the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that these clergy renewal grants will help congregations celebrate the extraordinary service of their pastors and honor them by giving them opportunities to step away from the daily demands of ministry for rest and renewal.”
Congregations in the 2022 programs represent diverse Christian traditions, including Roman Catholic and Orthodox parishes and congregations from more than 24 Protestant denominations. Reflecting the collaborative nature of the grant programs, congregations and their pastors worked together to determine how the pastors will use the grants to replenish, restore and renew their ministries.
Pastors also plan to use the awards to fund domestic and international travel. For example, one pastor will travel with family to South Korea, his country of birth, and to Japan, his country of ancestry, to hike and make pilgrimages to mountain summits. Other pastors’ plans include: a pilgrimage in the United Kingdom exploring Anglican roots by bicycle; a tour of civil rights museums across the southern United States; a journey to France to experience the rhythms and spiritual exercises of the Taizé community; and travel to Costa Rica to study Spanish via a language immersion program.
In addition to travel as a form of renewal, some pastors will use time away from their congregations to engage in new spiritual disciplines, focus on time with loved ones, and study topics that renew their excitement for preaching and congregational life. Activities for congregations include engaging intercultural faith narratives, seeking insight into the history of racism and race relations in the life of the church, exploring the meaning and application of Sabbath rest, and equipping lay leaders.
Dr. Robert Saler, director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary, noted that the grant programs integrate elements of support, trust and encouragement, which are all indicators of healthy congregations. “The programs are engineered to honor an innate human need to balance active service to others with periods of reflection and renewal. Animated by a spirit of gratitude and generosity, the programs provide a means for congregations to show appreciation for their leaders and actively invest in their pastors’ health and energy for continued ministry,” Saler says.
Since Lilly Endowment introduced the Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations and the National Clergy Renewal Program in 1999 and 2000 respectively, more than 3,400 congregations across the nation have received funds to support their pastors’ renewal experiences.
In 2022, congregations have received grants totaling nearly $9 million. Congregations were invited to apply for program grants of up to $50,000. The application process encourages congregations to be actively engaged in designing and developing their pastors’ proposed renewal experiences. Pastors’ families can also participate in the renewal activities. Congregations can allocate up to $15,000 of the grant to fund interim pastoral leadership, as well as renewal activities within the congregation.
Christian Theological Seminary has administered the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs since 2012. “As our nation and our world navigate complex health, environmental and geopolitical threats, these grants enable pastors and their congregations to actively partake in the gifts of retreat and renewal that are so needed today,” Saler says.
Award Recipients in the National Clergy Renewal Program:
Alaska
Skagway, AK – First Presbyterian Church of Skagway, the Rev. Ryan Mandeville
Alabama
Mobile, AL – Central Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Chris Bullock
Montgomery, AL – Saint Paul AME Church, the Rev. Agnes Maria Lover
Arizona
Peoria, AZ – Antioch Church of God in Christ, the Rev. Jonathan Earl Logan
Tempe, AZ – First United Methodist Church of Tempe, the Rev. Paul Hyung Cho
Tucson, AZ – Lord of Grace Lutheran Church, the Rev. Lars Hammar
California
Castro Valley, CA – Castro Valley United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Shijung Shim
Claremont, CA – Claremont United Church of Christ, Congregational, the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Strickland
Fairfield, CA – Mount Calvary Baptist Church Corporation, the Rev. Claybon Lea, Jr.
Hanford, CA – Iglesia La Gran Comision, the Rev. Xavier Pina
La Puente, CA – Vida Church, the Rev. Silvia Carrizo
Loomis, CA – Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ, the Rev. Casey Brian Tinnin
Los Angeles, CA – Holy Mountain Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Ohgueon Paul Kwon
Los Angeles, CA – St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Matthew Keadle
Los Angeles, CA – Transformados En Cristo, the Rev. Darmaris Lopez Malave
Oakland, CA – St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Rev. Holly Christene Jolly McHale-Larsen
Oakland, CA – City of Refuge Community Church, Inc., the Rev. Yvette Adrienne Flunder
Palo Alto, CA – University African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Rev. Kaloma A. Smith
Pasadena, CA – La Fuente Ministries, the Rev. Marcos Canales
Ripon, CA – Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church, the Rev. Mark VanDyke
Sacramento, CA – St. John’s Lutheran Church of Sacramento, the Rev. Jon Thomas Haug
San Francisco, CA – Radiance Christian Church, the Rev. Mark Chun
Santa Clara, CA – Santa Clara First Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Wungreiso Valui
Visalia, CA – Nehemiah Project-The House, the Rev. Rogelio Ovalle
Santa Monica, CA – Church in Ocean Park, United Methodist Church, the Rev. Gollery McKeithen
Walnut Creek, CA – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Krista Fregoso
West Covina, CA – Iglesia Cristiana Ebenezer, the Rev. Josue Gustavo Jordan Mejia
Whittier, CA – First United Methodist Church of Whittier, the Rev. Dr. Angela Galanis Price
Colorado
Boulder, CO – St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Jacqueline Decker Vanderpol
Centennial, CO – Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church ELCA, the Rev. Margot Faith Wright
Durango, CO – St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Debra Ann Metzgar Shew
Englewood, CO – The Sacred Grace, the Rev. Nathan Hoag
New Castle, CO – Iglesia Cristo La Roca, the Rev. Robin Vega
Wheat Ridge, CO – Wheat Ridge Congregational Church UCC, the Rev. Claudia Carolyn Schmitt
Connecticut
Fairfield, CT – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Curtis Andrew Farr
Fairfield, CT – Trinity Baptist Church Fairfield, the Rev. Dan Van Horne
Manchester, CT – Center Congregational Church, UCC, the Rev. Joyce Olive Crutchfield
Mystic, CT – Mystic Congregational Church, the Rev. Christa D. Swenson
Florida
Brandon, FL – Iglesia Hispana de Brandon, the Rev. Alain Lopez
Jacksonville, FL – Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, the Rev. Joseph A. Gibbes
Jacksonville, FL – The Well at Springfield, the Rev. Susan Rogers
Miami, FL – New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church, the Rev. Kenneth A. Duke
Oakland Park, FL – Body of Christ Church of Broward County, the Rev. Winifred E. Adams
Pembroke Pines, FL – The Passion Center, the Rev. Elizabeth Rios
Sarasota, FL – Church of the Palms Presbyterian (U.S.A.), the Rev. Laurie Goodwin Haas
Tampa, FL – Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, the Rev. Jakob Hero-Shaw
Winter Park, FL – St. Richard’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Alison P. Harrity
Georgia
Decatur, GA – North Decatur Presbyterian Church, the Rev. David T. Lewicki
Decatur, GA – Ray of Hope Christian Church, the Rev. Cynthia Hale
Hawaii
Honolulu, HI – International Baptist Church of Honolulu, the Rev. Scottland Custer
Honolulu, HI – Korean Presbyterian Church of Honolulu, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Cho
Kailua, HI – St. John Lutheran Church Kailua, the Rev. Kathryn Zurcher
Iowa
Wayland, IA – Wayland Mennonite Church, the Rev. Michael Miller Mast Swartzendruber
Idaho
McCall, ID – McCall Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Michael Adam Curry
Illinois
Chicago, IL – Grace Episcopal Church of Chicago, the Rev. Amity Carrubba
Chicago, IL – Resurrection Lutheran Church, the Rev. Dr. Kelly Kathleen Faulstich
Deerfield, IL – St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church Deerfield, the Rev. Anne B. Jolly
Elmhurst, IL – Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, the Rev. Shireen Ruth Baker
Jacksonville, IL – First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, the Rev. Jonathan Allen Warren
Niles, IL – Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church, the Rev. Matthew Ronald Bozovsky
Prospect Heights, IL – One In Christ Episcopal Church, the Rev. Indon Paul Joo
Rockford, IL – Northeast Christian Church, the Rev. Dr. Michael Leitz
Streamwood, IL – Immanuel United Church of Christ of Streamwood, the Rev. Jeanne Santucci Murawski
Waukegan, IL – Journey Church, the Rev. Carlos Herrera
Kentucky
Anchorage, KY – Anchorage Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Tara Nicholas Reck
Mt. Sterling, KY – First Christian Church Mt. Sterling, the Rev. Michelle Ballard
Massachusetts
Boston, MA – Old West United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Sara Taylor Garrard
Cambridge, MA – Reservoir Church, the Rev. Steve Watson
Dedham, MA – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Melanie Leigh McCarley
Lexington, MA – Hancock United Church of Christ, the Rev. Barbara Lea Callaghan
Worcester, MA – The First Baptist Church of Worcester, the Rev. Brent Andrew Newberry
Maryland
Bethesda, MD – North Bethesda United Methodist Church, the Rev. Kara June Scroggins
Bethesda, MD – Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, Trinity Parish, the Rev. Jessica Katherine Hitchcock
Fulton, MD – Grace Community Church, the Rev. Mitchel Lee Prince
Frederick, MD – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. R. Matthew Humm
Westminster, MD – Westminster Church of the Brethren, the Rev. Glenn Anthony McCrickard
Maine
Portland, ME – South Portland Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Abhyudaya Ajay Vyas
Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI – First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, the Rev. Nancy Sophia Lynn
Grand Rapids, MI – St. Nicholas Orthodox Church of Grand Rapids, the Rev. Michael Nasser
Hazel Park, MI – Serenity Christian Church, the Rev. John C. Harvey
Holland, MI – Faith Christian Reformed Church, the Rev. Dr. Chad T. Pierce
Minnesota
Cottage Grove, MN – St. Luke Lutheran Church, the Rev. Keith Adam Long
Maple Grove, MN – Advent Lutheran Church, the Rev. Elizabeth Anne Felt
Marine on Saint Croix, MN – Christ Lutheran Church, the Rev. Hannah Gerry Bartos
Wayzata, MN – Wayzata Community Church, the Rev. Danielle Hample Jones
Woodbury, MN – Trinity Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. April M Davis Campbell
Missouri
Kansas City, MO – Colonial Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Greg Ealey
Kansas City, MO – River Market Community Church, the Rev. James Hayes
Maplewood, MO – Christ Church United Church of Christ, the Rev. Rebecca Turner
Saint Robert, MO – Shekinah Tabernacle Ministries, the Rev. Willie J. Curry
St. Louis, MO – Webster Groves Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Todd Moore
North Carolina
Boone, NC – Alliance Bible Fellowship of the CMA, the Rev. Michael Bradsher Talley
Castle Hayne, NC – Hope Community Church of Wilmington, the Rev. Nathan Hall Stratman
Chapel Hill, NC – Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Andrew Stephen Taylor-Troutman
Charlotte, NC – St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Jacob E. Pierce
Durham, NC – Pleasant Green United Methodist Church, the Rev. Laura Keith Thompson
Durham, NC – Westminster Presbyterian Church of Durham, the Rev. Dr. Chris Tuttle
Goldsboro, NC – St. Mark Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ , the Rev. Dr. Alton A. Smith
Raleigh, NC – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, the Rev. Marsha Kate Anderson
Raleigh, NC – Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church, the Rev. Robert Jemonde Taylor
Wake Forest, NC – Centro Cristiano de Vida, the Rev. Raul Colon
Waynesville, NC – Grace Church in the Mountains, the Rev. Joslyn Eleanor Ogden Schaefer
Wilmington, NC – First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Rev. Robert Bradley McDowell
New Hampshire
Hanover, NH – Our Savior Lutheran Church, the Rev. Kyle Seibert
New Jersey
Chatham, NJ – The Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, the Rev. Thomas A. Brown
Denville, NJ – Iglesia Bautista Familia de Dios Inc., the Rev. Daniel Alberto Cali
East Orange, NJ – Rivers of Living Water Ministries NJ Inc., the Rev. Vanessa Motoka Brown
Gladstone, NJ – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Kent Walley
Jersey City, NJ – Iglesia Fuente de Salvacion Jersey City, the Rev. Lipe Fernandez
Montclair, NJ – First Congregational Church at Montclair, the Rev. John Joseph Rogers
New Mexico
Santa Fe, NM – The Open Circle: A Disciples of Christ Community, the Rev. Tiffany Curtis
New York
Buffalo, NY – ELIM Christian Fellowship Inc., the Rev. Troy Bronner
Eggertsville, NY – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the Rev. Steve Biegner
Jamaica, NY – First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, the Rev. Patrick Hugh O’Connor
New York, NY – Iglesia Alianza Oasis de la Alianza Cristiana y Misionera, the Rev. Angel Daniel VillaVentura
New York, NY – Metro Baptist Church of New York City, the Rev. Tiffany Triplett Henkel
New York, NY – St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. James F. “K” Karpen
Rochester, NY – First Presbyterian Church of Chili, the Rev. Brandi Wooten
Ohio
Columbus, OH – Sanctuary Columbus Church, the Rev. Richard Johnson
Columbus, OH – Gospel Lighthouse Church, the Rev. Jerry Delendo Fryar
Elyria OH – St. Andrew’s Episcopal, the Rev. Martha June Hardy Dorsey
Harrison, OH – Legacy Christian Church, the Rev. Mark Garrett
Liberty Twp, OH – Living Hope PCA, the Rev. Chad Grindstaff
Loveland, OH – Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, the Rev. Jonathan L. Eilert
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK – 8th Street Church – A Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Dr. Christopher Mark Pollock
Yukon, OK – Grace Church – Episcopal of Yukon, the Rev. Timothy C. Baer
Oregon
Eugene, OR – Central Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Jennifer Diane Martin
Hood River, OR – Hood River Valley Christian Church, the Rev. Alicia Speidel
Portland, OR – Metropolitan Community Church of Portland, the Rev. Nathan Meckley
Portland, OR – Peace Church of the Brethren, the Rev. Sarah Kinsel
Pennsylvania
Butler, PA – First English Lutheran Church, the Rev. Kimberly Miller van Driel
Harrisburg, PA – The Cathedral Church of St. Stephen, the Rev. Dr. Amy D. Welin
Malvern, PA – Church of St. Francis-in-the-Fields, Sugartown, the Rev. Kevin Dellaria
Mountville, PA – Mountville Mennonite Church, the Rev. James Finley Laverty
Paoli, PA – Paoli Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Jonathan Andre Mikesell
Philadelphia, PA – Oxford Circle Mennonite Church, the Rev. Lynn S. Parks
South Carolina
Charleston, SC – First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Lanneau Holton Siegling, Jr.
Columbia, SC – Riverside Community Church, the Rev. James B. Walden
Greenville, SC – Augusta Heights Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Greg Dover
Lancaster, SC – Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Carson M. Overstreet
Rock Hill, SC – Neely’s Creek Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Matthew J Joldersma
South Dakota
Huron, SD – Grace Episcopal Church, the Rev. Jean Elisabeth Mornard
Tennessee
Franklin, TN – The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, the Rev. Stephen Chad Jones
Hendersonville, TN – New Creation Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Keith Maxwell Gunter
Texas
Austin, TX – The Vine Covenant Church, the Rev. Mark Charbonneau
Dallas, TX – The Gathering Experience DFW, the Rev. Dr. Irie Lynne Session
Denton, TX – St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Lisa Patterson
McAllen, TX – Iglesia Bautista Tierra Prometida – McAllen, the Rev. Caleb Jonathan Garcia
Pharr, TX – Iglesia Cristiana Alianza, the Rev. Dr. Armando Vera
Pharr, TX – McAllen International Missionary Church, the Rev. Chulsu Jo
Richardson, TX – Binnerri Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Ki Joong Ahn
Utah
Bountiful, UT – Flourishing Grace Church, the Rev. Joshua Knight
Virginia
Annandale, VA – Ravensworth Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Leah Grundset Davis
Fairlawn, VA – Fairlawn Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Allison Unroe
Manassas, VA – First Baptist Church of Manassas, the Rev. Keith Savage
McLean, VA – Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Dr. Harmon Scott Ramsey
Newport News, VA – St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Anne Ruth Kirchmier
Norfolk, VA – Abyssinia Baptist Church Inc., the Rev. Sheridan D. Nelson
Richmond, VA – Anointed New Life Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Catherine Diane Mosby
Richmond, VA – The Light Community Church, the Rev. Dr. Kimberly A. Ridley
Toano, VA – Hickory Neck Episcopal Church, the Rev. Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly
Washington
Bellingham, WA – First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Kerrie Bauer
Renton, WA – Radiant Covenant Church, the Rev. Michael D. Thomas
Seattle, WA – University Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Aaron Williams
Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. – Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, the Rev. Cary James
Wisconsin
Madison, WI – Madison Mennonite Church, the Rev. Valerie Showalter
Wyoming
Riverton, WY – St. Margaret’s Catholic Church , the Rev. Louis Shea
Award Recipients in the Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations:
Avon, IN – Branches Community Church, the Rev. Alex Hershey
Beech Grove, IN – First Christian Church of Beech Grove, the Rev. Paul Hartig
Bloomington, IN – St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, the Rev. James R. (Jimmy) Moore
Columbus, IN – New Hope Christian Church of Columbus, the Rev. John Mark Sichting
Elkhart, IN – Southside Fellowship, the Rev. David Moser
Goshen, IN – Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship, the Rev. Mark R. Schloneger
Greenfield, IN – St. Michael Catholic Church, the Rev. Aaron Jenkins
Greensburg, IN – Community Church of Greensburg, the Rev. Seth Michael Bartal
Greenwood, IN – First Baptist Church of Greenwood, the Rev. Sean D. Holloway
Indianapolis, IN – Church of the Master, the Rev. Brenda Darmelio
Indianapolis, IN – East 91st Street Christian Church, the Rev. Dr. David Michael Faust
Indianapolis, IN – Eden Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Adrienne Overton
Indianapolis, IN – First Congregational Church of Indianapolis, the Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund
Indianapolis, IN – Mount Zion Baptist Church of Indianapolis, the Rev. Dr. Phillip Karl James
Indianapolis, IN – Northside New Era Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Clarence Moore
Indianapolis, IN – St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Frank S. Impicciche
Indianapolis, IN – St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, the Rev. Rebecca Jo Nickel
Indianapolis, IN – Trinity Episcopal Church, the Rev. Julia E. Whitworth
Indianapolis, IN – Trinity Church, the Rev. Melissa Millis
Indianapolis, IN – University Heights United Methodist Church, the Rev. David Wyatt Neuen
Muncie, IN – Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Muncie, the Rev. Dr. Jerome O’Neal
Munster, IN – Ridge United Methodist Church, the Rev. Jared M. Kendall
New Albany, IN – Trinity New Albany United Methodist Church, the Rev. Christopher Dale Neikirk
New Haven, IN – St. James Lutheran Church, the Rev. Martha Jean Hampton
New Palestine, IN – Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, the Rev. Mark R. Havel
Roann, IN – Olive Branch Church, the Rev. Ashley Haupert
Tell City, IN – Saint Paul Catholic Church, the Rev. Anthony Paul Hollowell
Valparaiso, IN – Christ Lutheran Church, the Rev. Erica Gibson-Even
Wabash, IN – The Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Wabash, the Rev. Todd D. Render
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. Additional information about Lilly Endowment is available at lillyendowment.org. About Christian Theological Seminary Located in Indianapolis, IN, Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) is a fully accredited ecumenical seminary, open to all, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It offers nine graduate- level degree programs, each rooted in a rich history of biblical scholarship, theological openness, and spiritual discernment. More than 30 denominations are represented among CTS faculty and students. Additional information about CTS is available at www.cts.edu.
