ELCA Announces Recipients of AAL Synodical Initiatives Grants

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Twenty-seven grants totaling $277,500 have been awarded to synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The grants were awarded as part of the Synodical Initiatives Grant Program of Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL). AAL is a fraternal benefits organization based in Appleton, Wis.
"The awards funded new initiatives that have the potential for leading ELCA synods in new directions in critical areas of ministry," said Tammy Jackson, associate director, ELCA Department for Synodical Relations. Jackson provides staff assistance to the Churchwide- Synodical Relations Committee of the Conference of Bishops, which recommended the synod proposals to AAL for funding. "The grants awarded this year primarily funded new opportunities in the area of leadership development," she said.
The grants included:
+"Building Community Connections" :The Northwest Washington Synod received $17,875 to support the development and coordination of a network that links the synod's trained lay leaders. Plans call for four workshops.
+ "Rostered Persons Assessment Retreat": The Northwest Washington Synod received $15,000 to help people become effective mission-oriented leaders. An intensive spiritual and comprehensive self-assessment retreat process is included.
+ "Leaders for Mission Project": The Sierra Pacific Synod was awarded $20,000 to help five of the synod's congregations become reconnected with their communities and with each other. "The Leaders for Mission Project is the Lutheran component of a multi-congregation, multi-denomination organization being formed to renew congregations in their missions to their communities," said the Rev. Robert W. Mattheis, bishop, ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod. By bringing 10 different denominations together for leadership training, the synod will foster a community-wide dialogue.
+ "Reaching Out to the Next Generations": The Northeastern Minnesota Synod was awarded $4,700 for the purpose of educating parents and congregations on how to involve people ages 18-32 effectively in the church. Through workshops and training the synod will strive to involve this critical age group in future church growth.
+ "Southwestern Minnesota Ministry Consultation": The Southwestern Minnesota Synod was awarded $8,000 to develop a cooperative strategic plan with Lutheran organizations to help young adults remain active in congregations.
+ "A Time to Build Up": The Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod was awarded $10,000 to build a stronger partnership among pastors, congregational leaders, synod staff and volunteer ministry teams through education.
+ "Seminary Recruitment Project": The Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, Southwestern Texas Synod and the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod were awarded $15,000 to identify and support Latino lay leaders for candidacy. Those identified will be people who can serve in developing Spanish-speaking congregations.
+ "Synodical Lutheran Youth Peer Ministry Training": The Nebraska Synod was awarded $5,500 to implement a synod-wide training event to equip three people from each of 50 congregations to be "peer ministers." Peer ministers will share their expertise with the young people in their congregations to develop opportunities for them to serve in their communities.
+ "Lay Ministry Academy": The Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod was awarded $12,500 to offer courses in theology, worship, history and pastoral care for those who want to become parish lay ministers. When the two-year course is completed, participants will be certified to serve in remote rural settings and in Spanish-speaking congregations.
+ "The Bethany House of Studies": The Central States Synod was awarded $20,000 to fund courses that will encourage life-long learning and spiritual growth among the people of central and western Kansas. Partners for this project include the synod and its congregations, the parish ministry associate program, a ministry that provides laity an opportunity to take up leadership roles and other positions in congregations and Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan.
+ "Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Resource Center": The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod was awarded $5,500 for the establishment of a synod resource center. This center will strengthen the mission and partnership of its congregations by providing a central location and system for sharing videos, books and other resources.
+ "The Youth & Family Ministry Certification School": The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod was awarded $10,000 to launch a three- week intensive training program for congregation leaders in the synod. Leaders will gain professional skills in youth and family ministry provided through the Center for Youth Ministries at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa.
+ "Student Leadership Academy": The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod was awarded $10,000 to fund a student leadership training event to support high school students. The Student Leadership Academy will link faithful leadership to the everyday lives of these youth and help them discern their everyday life calling.
+ "Healthy Kids - Wholly Lives": The Northern Great Lakes Synod was awarded $6,000 to promote the spiritual, physical and emotional health of children, youth and teenagers in the synod.
+ "Resource Center with Internet Component": The Northwest Synod of Wisconsin was awarded $20,000 to create a resource center that will make information available via the Internet and through its physical facility at First Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wis. A Web site will be linked to a vast number of sites that offer information on topics such as youth and adult education, youth ministry, lay leadership development, stewardship and evangelism.
+ "Arts and Spirituality": The Greater Milwaukee Synod was awarded $8,625 to develop a youth-focused outreach ministry and resource center for congregations in Milwaukee. The outreach ministry and resource center will provide youth with ways to participate in the life of the church through the arts.
+ "Leadership Development & Empowerment Project": The Greater Milwaukee Synod was awarded $10,000 to aid congregations in understanding the cultural context of ministry as well as to identify and train people for church leadership roles.
+ "Youth Involvement Program": The LaCrosse (Wis.) Area Synod was awarded $4,000 to challenge high school youth to remain active in the church after confirmation. They will be trained as leaders in the church and encouraged to consider careers in ordained leadership.
+ "Rural Stewardship Program": The LaCrosse Area Synod was awarded $2,000 to involve rural youth in the future of their church by fostering their involvement as stewardship leaders through a rural stewardship program.
+ "Youth Leadership Training": The LaCrosse Area Synod and the South- Central Synod of Wisconsin were awarded $1,500 to further program development of their second annual Youth Leadership Lab. The program is designed to provide personal growth opportunities in leadership and ministry skills for the youth of the synods.
+ "Discerning the Church's Response to Gay and Lesbian Relationships": The Southeast Michigan Synod was awarded $14,000 to enable the staff and synod council to lead a process that would better assess where they agree and disagree about clergy blessing of gay and lesbian relationships. This process would involve eight synod-wide study, discussion and discernment events to assess this issue in a suitable way.
+ "Evangelism School": The Indiana-Kentucky Synod was awarded $20,000 to commence educational seminars that will provide resources, training and encouragement as a source of outreach to "make Christ known" throughout the synod. The synod's goal for 2004 is to have all members understand the importance of their own personal roles as missionari