September 21, 2013

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Contact: Archpriest Thomas Moore    803 318 6093     frthomas@holyapostles.org

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            Holy Apostles Orthodox Church has received a grant of $35,000 to enable its minister, Fr. Thomas Moore, to participate in the 2013 National Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary. Holy Apostles is one of 87 congregations across the country selected to participate in this competitive grant program. Established by the Endowment in 2000, the program’s grants allow Christian congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.

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            Ministers whose congregations are awarded the grants use their time away from the demands of daily ministry to engage in a period of reflection and renewal. The approach respects the “Sabbath time” concept, offering ministers a carefully considered respite that may include travel, study, rest, immersive arts and cultural experiences, and prayer.

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            Through the National Clergy Renewal Program, congregations apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support a renewal program for their pastors. Collaborative in nature and implementation, the program allows congregations to partner with their ministers in developing an experience that addresses their unique renewal needs and aspirations. Recognizing that ministers’ families are subject to the stress and demands placed on pastoral leaders, the program encourages pastors to involve their families in renewal activities. Congregational needs during the minister’s renewal experience also are considered. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used to fund interim pastoral leadership during the pastor’s retreat, as well as for renewal activities within the congregation. Since the National Clergy Renewal Program’s inception, more than 1,800 congregations have participated in the program, including the 87 congregations receiving grants in 2013.

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            There three parts of the grant requested by Holy Apostles.  The first is to address one of the challenges facing Orthodox Churches as they grow.  Priests often serve in the same parish for many years.  After many years of close relationships, when the priest moves or retires, it is often difficult for the faithful to embrace a new pastor. As Fr. Thomas is getting close to retirement age, he plans to spend some of his time visiting monasteries and parishes that have recently changed leadership to discuss what worked and what didn’t.  Secondly, he will spend some quiet time gardening and bookbinding which his current responsibilities hinder. Finally, one of the questions asked in the Grant packet is “What would make your heart sing?”.  Fr. Thomas has always wanted to learn to fly, but couldn’t justify the money or time.  The Grant will provide funds for a substitute priest at Holy Apostles for four months, travel expenses, and for flying lessons to obtain his pilot’s license.

 

            “Lilly Endowment intends for this program to enable pastors to live for a while at a different pace and in a new environment, in Sabbath time and space,” said Dr. Christopher L. Coble, vice president for religion at the Endowment. “We can think of no better way to honor these hardworking, faithful men and women than to help them experience personal growth and spiritual renewal in ways that they themselves design and find meaningful. We regularly hear that these renewal experiences are transformative for pastors, their families and their congregations.”

 

            Dr. Rev. Robert Saler, research fellow and director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs, part of the Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, noted that the National Clergy Renewal Program integrates key attributes of healthy congregations, including a mutual respect for the renewal needs of both ministers and the congregations they serve.

 

            “The program provides an opportunity for congregations to express appreciation for their ministers’ service and leadership,” Saler said. “At a time when leaders are often praised for their pace of innovation and productivity, the National Clergy Renewal Program pays homage to the timeless wisdom embedded in the practice of reflection and renewal.”