wfn.org | UCC, Disciples receive Lilly grant

[powellb@ucc.org]

United Church of Christ
Barb Powell, press contact
216.736.2175
<powellb@ucc.org>
On the web: <http://www.ucc.org>

In Nebraska, contact:
The Rev. George S. Worcester
402.202.7233

For immediate release
Nov. 25, 2003

    United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
     receive $1.3-million Lilly Endowment grant in support of pastoral
				excellence

CLEVELAND ?? The Nebraska Conference of the United Church of Christ and the

Nebraska Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have been

awarded a $1.3 million grant from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment

Inc. to participate in its national "Sustaining Pastoral Excellence"

program.

      The United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of

Christ) have a long, outstanding history of working together. The Nebraska

proposal is unique in that it envisions a new model for sustaining

excellence in ministry based on a covenantal, supportive relationship among

pastors, the 149 Nebraska congregations they serve and the wider church. It

is targeted to meet the special needs of a setting where ministers and

churches are isolated from one another and where resources for continuing

education are often limited. Significant financial incentives also will be

provided, allowing pastors to pursue a variety of educational opportunities

and, at times, to become teachers of one another.

      "We're excited to have received this award from the Lilly Endowment

Inc.," said the Rev. George S. Worcester, Project Director and former UCC

Nebraska Conference Minister. "We look forward to finding new ways to

provide continuing education of our local church pastors."

      With the changing dimensions in the role of the church in U.S.

culture, supporting excellence in ministry requires nurturing and educating

pastors to prepare them for leadership positions. Church leaders today must

deal with such issues as globalization, medical ethics, economic justice

and sexual orientation. The "Sustaining Pastoral Excellence" program will

enable pastors to pursue educational projects that will equip them to

address such issues.

      The Nebraska "Sustaining Pastoral Excellence" project will be

administered by a team of representatives from both denominations' regional

Nebraska offices and the Disciples' Cotner College Educational Ministries

in Lincoln, Neb.

      The 1.4-million-member United Church of Christ, with national offices

in Cleveland, and the 800,000-member Christian Church (Disciples of

Christ), with headquarters in Indianapolis, have been full communion,

ecumenical partners since 1989. Though each denomination remains

independent and distinct, each recognizes the other's sacraments and

ordained clergy, and seeks opportunities for common ministry.

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