Six United Methodist pastors, their churches receive Lilly Endowment funded clergy renewal leaves

INDIANAPOLIS - Hoosier United Methodist pastors serve six of the 27 congregations that have received grants in the 2006 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations. They join more than 230 congregations that have received grants since the program began in 1999.

"It is apparent from the proposals that these congregations are fond of their ministers and want to keep them."

- Craig Dykstra

Any congregation in Indiana with an ordained minister is eligible to apply for a clergy renewal grant. The maximum award is $45,000, and up to $15,000 of that may be used for congregational activities while the pastor is away.

"It is a delight for us to see these congregations and ministers formulate intentional sabbatical renewal programs," said Craig Dykstra, the Endowment's senior vice president for religion. "The most successful ones blend time for prayer, reflection and rest with new adventures that expand their horizons. Many pastors spend some of their time in retreat by themselves; this complements other time spent with friends and family.

"It is apparent from the proposals that these congregations are fond of their ministers and want to keep them. They realize that their ministers work hard and are 'there' for them at both the best and worst times of their lives - and at most points in between," he said. "In order for good ministry to be sustained over the long haul, it is important for pastors periodically to get away for an extended time to reconnect with spiritual and personal energies that give them life. The ministers and the congregation members almost always come away from this experience with a renewed appreciation and understanding of one another."

This year's recipients come from 21 counties in the state, from Lake County in the north to Floyd County in the south. Twelve denominations, including United Methodist, are represented; two congregations are nondenominational.

United Methodist congregations and pastors selected for the 2006 program are:

The Rev. Michael D. Mather of Broadway UMC in Indianapolis received $45,000.
The Rev. Michelle L. Kallock Knight and Calvary UMC in Brownsburg received $44,769.
The Rev. Jeffrie Van Zirkle and Chapel Hill UMC in Indianapolis received $45,000.
The Rev. Herbert J. Buwalda Jr. and Clay UMC in South Bend received $44,034.
The Rev. Stephen A. Beutler and Grace UMC in Kokomo received $43,918.
The Rev. Vickie L. Perkins and Hanover (Ind.) UMC received $44,149.

Besides this program, the Endowment offers the National Clergy Renewal Program for congregations and their ministers in the other 49 states. For more information about either program, see the Endowment's Web site, www.lillyendowment.org.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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