Clergy Renewal Program to start its 10th year
Comet staff report

Lilly Endowment Inc. has announced that its Indiana Clergy Renewal Program will continue for its 10th year. So far, more than 280 Indiana congregations have received grants that have enabled them to send their ministers far and wide on voyages of renewal and refreshment. The congregations, too, through their own programs and plans during the sabbaticals often experience renewed energy and purpose.

Through the program the Endowment offers up to 40 grants of up to $45,000 each to support renewal programs for pastors of Indiana congregations. Up to $15,000 of that amount may be used to help the congregation fulfill pastoral duties during the pastor's absence and/or to support renewal activities for the congregation itself.

"It can go unrecognized - even among some members of congregations - that good pastors are usually very busy people who perform many diverse duties," said Craig Dykstra, the Endowment's senior vice president for religion. "Most of them have never taken a sabbatical. These are not 'burned-out' pastors but hardworking people whose duties have left them little time to stop - just stop - for a while. As one pastor told us after h is sabbatical, 'If you think you're too busy to get away, you're busier than you need to be. He renewal program can help you understand that.'"

With these grants, pastors travel to places anywhere in the world, explore the historical traditions of their denominations, renew family and friendship ties, read, write, worship and pray - whatever helps them draw more deeply on the sources of renewal that give them energy and sustain them in their ministries.

The program is open to all Indiana congregations that have an ordained pastor. Also, if a pastor has benefited form a previous clergy renewal program grant received in or before 2002, that pastor's current congregation is eligible to apply for a grant to support a second renewal for that pastor.

Applications must be postmarked by Jan. 29, and recipients will be notified by late May.

An information meeting about the program for Indiana pastors, their spouses and congregational representatives will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 27 at North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. Those who want to attend should fill out the invitation card that accompanies the application (available on the Endowment's website) and return it to the Endowment by Sept. 20. Details about the meeting or application brochures may be found on the Endowment's website, www.lillyendowment.org, click on Religion, or call 317- 916-7350.