East Second Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has received a $10,589 grant to explore the meaning and purposes of changes in its worship practices in the context of the church’s history as a 159 year old African-American (Disciples of Christ) congregation. The Worship Renewal grant was awarded by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan. "This is an exciting time in the life of the congregation and we are pleased to have received this award", said Reverend Donald Gillett, senior pastor. East Second Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is located in Lexington, KY.
In the past few years, several changes were made to the worship service. The church added more instruments, changed the welcome and greeting period, and stepped up its Praise and Worship ministry. These additions and changes to the worship service were designed to help the members share in the experience of worship. What the church leadership discovered was that these seemingly small changes were a source of anxiety for some. Rather than ignore or dismiss these concerns, the worship and leadership teams began to see these changes and the corresponding concerns as an opportunity to rethink the purpose and nature of worship. It was also a chance to help congregants delve deeper into the meaning of corporate worship. "This grant gives us a chance to fully explore how changes in worship can usher in a renewed spirit and presence of God in our midst," said Rev. Gillett, senior pastor. Dr. Charisse Gillett, Minister Joyce Higgins, Deacon Eureka Washington, and Reverend Dikea Ellery will give primary leadership to the work of the grant. We feel enormously blessed to be able to receive this grant and thank the Calvin Institute for selecting us for this year’s program, said Dr. Charisse Gillett, grant coordinator.
This year, the program’s eleventh, CICW will award almost $500,000 to support a variety of worship renewal projects in 40 churches and organizations across North America.
"These projects have much to teach us about how prayerful, resourceful leaders in a remarkable variety of contexts are thinking about the needs of the church and opportunities for ministry," says CICW director John Witvliet. "We are eager to learn from them."
For a complete list of this year’s grant recipients and summaries of their projects, see the Grants section of the CICW website, www.calvin.edu/worship.
For 2010 grant recipients, learning begins in earnest this June when project directors gather at Calvin College to dialogue with 2009 recipients and CICW staff.
"Ecumenical conversations with congregational leaders who have created a year long process of worship renewal provides encouragement and innovative ideas for renewal," says Betty Grit, Program Manager of the Worship Renewal Grants Program.
This year, CICW received proposals from 22 denominations and 24 states and 3 Canadian provinces. An advisory board of pastors and teachers from a variety of backgrounds assisted in the grant selection. Grant recipients for 2010 represent congregations and schools from 15 denominations in 16 states and 1 Canadian province.
The Worship Renewal Grants Program is generously supported by Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1937, the Endowment’s major areas of concern are community development, education, and religion. The next application deadline for the Worship Renewal Grants Program is January 10, 2011. For an overview of the grants program and information about the application process, see the Grants section of the CICW website, www.calvin.edu/worship.
