First Methodist Receives Clergy Renewal Grant
We are pleased to announce that First United Methodist Church of Bloomington has received a grant of $59,989 to enable Rev. Lisa Schubert Nowling to participate in the 2023 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations!
First Methodist is one of 30 congregations in Indiana selected to participate in this competitive program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Established by the Endowment in 1999, the program’s grants allow congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.
Ministers whose congregations are awarded the grants use their renewal experiences to engage in reflection and renewal. The approach respects the “Sabbath time” concept, offering ministers a carefully considered respite that may include travel, study, rest, prayer and immersive arts and cultural experiences.
Through the program, Indiana congregations may apply for grants of up to $60,000 to support renewal experiences for their pastors. Collaborative in nature and implementation, the program allows congregations to partner with their ministers in developing experiences that address 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 $25,000 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.
Starting in summer 2024, Pastor Lisa, in the spirit of a sabbatical, will split her time between Bloomington and several travel experiences to South Africa and the Olympics, focusing on rest and renewal, as well as education and spiritual formation. The theme for her journey is “Champions,” meaning both champions of sports, which her family enjoys, and champions of justice, whom she deeply admires. Simultaneously, the community of First Methodist will enjoy the interim leadership of Rev. John Nyota and Rev. Donna Goings. We will also welcome guest preachers, teachers, and programs centered around topics of environmental and racial justice, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. We will celebrate champions with our own inter-generational Olympics.
It is truly an honor and privilege for First Methodist and Pastor Lisa to be recipients of this grant from the 2023 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations. It will truly facilitate a time of renewal for both Pastor Lisa and the life of the congregation. We are grateful and look forward to what God has in store for our faith community in 2024.