Calvin Worship Institute Announces 54 Grants

May 10, 2005 == MEDIA ADVISORY
<<<for the full story see www.calvin.edu/news >>>

The latest project of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship suggests it is
as important to give as to receive.

After receiving renewed funding from Indiana-based Lilly Endowment Inc., the
Worship Institute has announced its 2005 roster of recipients in the annual
Worship Renewal Grants program.

For 2005 the Institute is awarding almost $700,000 to 54 churches and
organizations across North America, using the support of its Lilly Endowment
grant to give grants to congregations and other Christian organizations for
projects they design to enrich and transform their worship.

The money will fund a variety of initiatives.

For instance a Baptist congregation in Cincinnati will study and incorporate
historic traditions of African American worship through a 13-week study
program. A Presbyterian congregation in San Francisco will work to extend
hospitality throughout its multicultural and multigenerational congregation. A
Christian Reformed Church in Salt Lake City will train area church choirs in
the area of music leadership. And a Lutheran congregation located near a large
medical facility will reflect on practices of prayers for healing.

For the entire recipient list see
http://webapps.calvin.edu/worship/grants/awarded_detail.php?Year=2005

"One of the most heartening parts of this process is discovering so many
faithful and creative people at work outside the limelight, in ways that
nourish the church but don't make headlines," says John Witvliet, director of
the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. "It's a testament to the number of
vital but unheralded forms of the ministry of worship being carried out across
North America."

The Worship Renewal Grants program, which began six years ago, is itself the
beneficiary of a grant. The Worship Institute has received renewed funding from
the Lilly Endowment Inc. totaling $7.5 million for three years of programming
through 2008. The grant, the largest foundation grant in the history of Calvin
College, will help the Worship Institute continue its work as catalyst for
renewal among a broad international, ecumenical constituency.

Witvliet says the Worship Renewal Grants Program is a good representation of
the efforts of the Worship Institute as a whole. It focuses on grass-roots work
in local communities, with Institute staff eager to offer encouragement,
resources and expertise to fit each local context.

Says Witvliet: "We aim to do what church-related colleges and seminaries do
best: mark off time and space for learning and teaching about what it means to
live faithful Christian lives, and then push for implementing that vision in
Christian communities."

Lilly Endowment Inc., an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation,
has supported the Institute since 1998. As part of several broad, national
funding initiatives, the Endowment has also awarded grants to Calvin
Theological Seminary for educational programming in its "Making Connections
Initiative," to the Christian Reformed Church for sustaining excellence in
pastoral ministry, to Church of the Servant in Grand Rapids for a pastoral
residency program, and to Calvin College for programs in the theological
exploration of vocation.

"All these programs," Witvliet says, "speak of the Endowment's strong
commitment to vital congregational life and ministry. They are a source of
great encouragement and learning to so many people nationwide. We are grateful
to be a part of this network."

<<<for the full story see www.calvin.edu/news >>>
Contact John Witvliet at 616-526-6806 or jwitvlie@calvin.edu

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Received on Tue May 10 11:45:37 2005