CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Sixteen ministry projects of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will share $383,500 in grants awarded by Lutheran Brotherhood as part of its 1999 ELCA Churchwide Block Grants Program.
In addition, $16,500, also provided by Lutheran Brotherhood, will be allocated to ministry projects to be determined in the near future, said Tammy Jackson, associate director of the ELCA Department for Synodical Relations. Jackson oversees the block grant program for the ELCA.
Lutheran Brotherhood is a fraternal benefits society based in Minneapolis.
"The generous financial support of Lutheran Brotherhood is a critical component of the churchwide ministries of the ELCA," said the Rev. Michael Cooper-White, director of the ELCA Department for Synodical Relations and assistant to the presiding bishop.
Proposals for grants were considered from several ELCA churchwide units and awarded as follows: =20
"2000 Congregations," Division for Outreach, $25,000: The project's goal is to equip existing congregations to sponsor the development of 2,000 new congregations in 20 years. Funds help pay for a video and training materials.
"Strategic Alliances for Leadership Development," Division for Outreach, $25,000: Funds will be used to train consultants for "turn around" congregations.
"Congregation-Based Immigration Service Pilot Project," Division for Outreach, $25,000: The project will fund technical assistance for congregational leaders to support four congregation-based immigration service centers. Partnerships will be established with ecumenical networks.
"National Recruitment Strategy for Ethnic Leaders," Division for Ministry, $30,000: This project attempts to develop a recruitment strategy for potential pastors and associates in ministry.
"Adventures in Vocations for Ethnic High School Youth," Division for Ministry, $25,000: Funds will be used to provide a "summer immersion" experience for 40 young people.
"Contextualized Theological Education for Leadership Within the Hispanic Community," Division for Ministry, $25,000: The project will develop a model for theological education to equip future church leaders.
"Evangelism Strategies and Leadership Practices that Work in Rural Congregations, Phase 2," Division for Congregational Ministries and Division for Outreach, $25,000: Studies of leadership practices in rural congregations will be done.
"Getting Ready for Worship in the 21st Century," Division for Congregational Ministries, Commission for Multicultural Ministries, $20,000: Findings from a six-year Lutheran World Federation study on worship and culture will be shared with worship and music leaders of ethnic communities of the ELCA.
"Women of Color Clergy Training, Development and Networking," Commission for Women, Division for Ministry, Department for Synodical Relations, Commission for Multicultural Ministries and Division for Congregational Ministries, $22,000: The project will fund partnerships, mentoring and networking.
"Whole Bodies: Whole Spirits. Parish Nurses Provide Healing and Hope for Victims of Abuse," Commission for Women, $20,000: A training event will be funded to equip parish nurses on issues related to domestic violence.
"National Hispanic Strategy," Commission for Multicultural Ministries, $13,000: The project will develop a comprehensive strategy which will help the ELCA achieve more diverse representation.
"Multicultural Seminarians Conference," Commission for Multicultural Ministries, $25,000: Funds will support a gathering of seminarians in the ELCA.
"Asian Youth Leadership Training Camps," Commission for Multicultural Ministries, $24,750: Funds will be used to train 90 young people to be youth leaders in their congregations. Thirty youth mentors will also be trained.
"Multimedia Web Catalog of ELCA Resources," Department for Communication, $20,000: A catalog of ELCA-recommended resources available will be established on the World Wide Web.
"ELCA Attorney Association," Office of the Secretary, $40,000: Funds will be used to establish a network of civil lawyers throughout the ELCA who will provide legal services and advice to synods and congregations.
"Multicultural Youth Writers Workshop," Commission for Multicultural Ministries, $18,750: The project will identify and train young writers.
In addition to the block grants, Lutheran Brotherhood has made a multi-year, $1 million commitment to "In the City for Good," an ELCA initiative aimed at revitalizing urban ministries in the United States and Caribbean, Cooper-White said. Annually, $900,000 is provided to the Division for Outreach in "church extension" grants to new mission congregations, he said. Lutheran Brotherhood has also provided grants totaling $220,000 for use at the 1999 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Denver.
Presenting the checks to the ELCA were Will Williamson and Kristen Nicholson, agency resource managers for Lutheran Brotherhood, Itasca, Ill.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
