National Clergy Renewal Program grants awarded

First Presbyterian Church of Sandpoint has received a grant of $ 31,120 to enable its pastor, the Rev. Andy Kennaly, to participate in the 2016 National Clergy Renewal Program.

First Presbyterian Church is one of 146 congregations across the United States selected to participate in this competitive grant program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. 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.

First Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Fourth Ave., Sandpoint, worships at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Ministers whose congregations are awarded the grants use their time away from the demands of daily ministry 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, immersive arts and cultural experiences, and prayer.

Through the National Clergy Renewal Program, congregations apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support renewal programs for their pastors. Collaborative in nature and implementation, the program allows congregations to partner with their ministers in developing experiences 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 support interim pastoral leadership during the pastor’s retreat, as well as renewal activities within the congregation. Since the National Clergy Renewal Program’s inception, more than 2,300 congregations have participated in the program, including the 146 congregations receiving grants in 2016.

First Presbyterian Church is one of the 146 churches to receive full funding for its grant application. Pastor Kennaly will travel with his wife during the summer of 2017 to the United Kingdom and Europe, visiting many historic places to explore Celtic Christianity, the Protestant Reformation on its 500th anniversary, and Franciscan spirituality, all tied together by the theme of exploring contemplative prayer through beekeeping. Many monasteries have long histories of beekeeping for wax and honey. Bees are also an important part of food security and food justice issues. In addition, an “apitour” looking at the Slovenian A-Z hive system will be a special focus. Pastor Kennaly will also purchase some equipment to set up a local demonstration site for this traditional way of keeping bees that varies from American techniques. The congregation will also be studying similar themes during the three-month time frame, having guest speakers, a retreat open to the community to explore Celtic Christianity, and experiencing contemplative prayer. Pastor Kennaly will present a beekeeping workshop to share the A-Z Hive System upon his return.

“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, the endowment’s vice president for religion. “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.”

The Rev. Rev. Robert Saler, research fellow and director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs, 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.”

Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis directs the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations and a second program for congregations across the United States through its Center for Pastoral Excellence.