CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Four teachers serving in schools affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) have been awarded grants of up to $1,000 each that are intended to offer financial relief from educational loans.
This year's recipients and the schools they represent are Stacy Hart, Our Saviour Lutheran Church and School, San Clemente, Calif.; Rachel Rennegarbe, Christ Lutheran School and Preschool, Odessa, Texas; Jennifer Vogler, St. Paul Lutheran School and Nursery, East Northport, N.Y.; and Jamie Wade, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and School, West Hills, Calif.
This the first time "Founders Grants" were awarded by the Department for Schools of the ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools, said John J. Scibilia, ELCA director for schools. The grants are awarded through the Lutheran Day School Endowment Fund, which is maintained in the ELCA Foundation.
The endowment fund, established when the ELCA was formed in 1988, was created to assist teachers with repayment of college loans, Scibilia said. When the fund was established, it was agreed endowment proceeds would be awarded only when the fund reached a particular amount, he said.
"Now that the fund has reached that level, the Founders Grant program is being made available to all ELCA elementary and secondary school teachers in their first three years of teaching," he said.
"Founders Grant recipient nominations distinguish these teachers in the vital areas of teaching effectiveness, Christian influence in the spiritual formation of students and a positive witness in the school community," Scibilia said. "Their schools and the students are blessed by the presence of their teaching ministry."
Founders Grants are given in honor of four school leaders who established the endowment fund. They are Glenn Bracht, Coon Rapids, Minn.; Mel Kieschnick, Rancho La Costa, Calif.; Don Vetter, Cedar Falls, Iowa; and the late Rev. Delbert Schulz. -- -- --
Information on the Founders Grant program can be found at http://www.elca.org/dhes/schools/foundersgrant.html on the ELCA's Web site.
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
