The Lilly Endowment has awarded the Episcopal Diocese of Indiana two Thriving Congregation Initiative grants in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis and the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Watch Bishop Doug’s announcement below!
The first grant is in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis has been awarded a three-year, $1 million grant by Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish a joint program with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana titled “Maximizing Church Building Assets in Advancement of Mission and Ministry.” Learn more by reading the press release from the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.
The second grant is in partnership with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the ELCA as well as United Church of Christ, Presbyterian USA, and Episcopal churches located in Indiana and Kentucky. The Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has received a grant of $994,255 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish an ecumenical expansion of Connect Transformational Ministry Process. Funded through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative, the aim of the national initiative is to strengthen Christian congregations so they can help people deepen their relationships with God, build strong relationships with each other and contribute to the flourishing of local communities and the world. Learn more by reading the press release from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
About the Lilly Endowment Thriving Congregations Initiative
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is one of 92 organizations taking part in the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations initiative. The 92 organizations represent and serve churches in a broad spectrum of Christian traditions, including Anabaptist, Baptist, Episcopal, evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Restoration, Roman Catholic and Orthodox, as well as congregations that describe themselves as nondenominational. Several organizations serve congregations in Black, Hispanic and Asian-American traditions.
“In the midst of a rapidly changing world, Christian congregations are grappling with how they can best carry forward their ministries,” said Christopher Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These grants will help congregations assess their ministries and draw on practices in their theological traditions to address new challenges and better nurture the spiritual vitality of the people they serve.”
Lilly Endowment launched the Thriving Congregations Initiative in 2019 as part of its commitment to support efforts that enhance the vitality of Christian congregations.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis and home state, Indiana. The principal aim of the Endowment’s grantmaking in religion is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen their pastoral and lay leadership.