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EDS' Lilly-funded program focuses on parishes in northern New England
Episcopal News Service
Issue:
Section:
2002-227-1
Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002
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Episcopal Divinity School has been selected to receive a grant of $1,593,117 from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment to participate in a national program called 'Sustaining Pastoral Excellence.' The EDS proposal calls for the development of a sustainable regional learning system that promotes excellence in Episcopal clergy in areas of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont in collaboration with the bishops of the three dioceses.
'Our vision of ministry is one of pastors providing excellent care derived from their own spiritual depth, supported by those who share responsibility for ministry in their congregations, connected to other excellent pastors, and sustained by access to quality lifelong learning opportunities,' said Bishop Steven Charleston, president and dean of EDS. 'Our goal is to design and offer a system of supports and learning opportunities that will nurture, sustain, and deepen pastoral excellence among all ordained and selected lay leaders who are part of ministry teams in rural and regional ministries in Northern New England's Episcopal ministries.
'This program has been designed after extensive assessment with the Episcopal pastors in these communities. Working closely with them, we will accelerate the growth of local teams that will ground the ministry in even the most isolated communities. In cooperation with the Episcopal dioceses of Northern New England, we will use existing networks to weave a new fabric of mission support across this region,' Charleston said.
At the same time, the seminary's training and resources will be made available to these communities through creative new models of information. This layered approach to strengthening regional mission will be thoroughly evaluated at the end of the project and offered as a blueprint for effective ministry that other dioceses throughout the United States and Canada can replicate.
The EDS award is for a five-year period.
'This project will unite the dioceses of Northern New England in a bold and unique partnership with a distinguished seminary of the Episcopal Church and will address urgent needs in support of innovative avenues for fostering and sustaining pastoral excellence in rural and regional ministry in our dioceses,' said Bishop Chilton R. Knudsen of Maine. 'We are poised to move forward in this endeavor, and are pleased the Lilly Endowment shares our enthusiasm for this unique partnership in service to the church of tomorrow.'
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