St. Paul's Episcopal Church in La Porte has received a grant of $60,000 to enable its priest in charge, the Rev. Canon Michelle Walker, to participate in the 2024 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program.
St. Paul's is one of 34 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.
Walker will spend time from May to early September traveling with her family to several national parks in the United States and to the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Her theme for the application for the grant was "When I Am Among the Trees" and focuses on contemplative prayer practices. Leave-taking will occur with a send-off coffee hour celebration April 27. Walker's return will be celebrated at Cummings Lodge Sept. 14, with a Eucharist among the trees, a catered meal, and joyous reunion.
During Walker's absence, the congregation will visit local parks and mirror the contemplative practices that Walker will be doing that same week. At each location, one of 15 contemplative exercises will be used. Each Sunday the current week’s park and practice will be shared during announcements. The community is invited to join us. Visit stpaulslaporte.org for details. Conversations about the previous week’s practice will occur during coffee hour. Coverage for Sunday services will be provided by supply clergy. At the return Eucharist, priest and congregation will reflect on their experiences and renewal.
Since the Endowment established the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations in 1999 and the National Clergy Renewal Program for congregations in the other 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico in 2000, more than 4,293 congregations have participated in the program, including the 34 Indiana congregations receiving grants in 2024.
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.