Thriving
congregations
Thanks to the Lilly Endowment, the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane has been awarded a $1.24 million grant as part of the Thriving Congregations initiative
This initiative is designed to encourage the flourishing of congregations by helping them deepen their relationships with God, enhance their connections with each other, and contribute to the vitality of their communities and the world.
WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE AWARD?
Building Bridges; Healing Divides
OUR GOAL
To advance the diocesan strategic priority of creating a culture of listening, learning, and development; with an emphasis on each of these desired practices as a means of strengthening relationships, particularly among individuals and groups who differ from one another in meaningful ways.
OUR FOCUS
Listening
for the purpose of action
Developing
new practices of ministry and relationship that heal rather than ignore or exacerbate the wounds caused by the social, cultural and political divisions of our current time and context.
Learning
about the congregation itself, our Episcopal/Anglican theology and tradition, and the cares and concerns of the people in our communities
WHAT DO CONGREGATIONS NEED TO KNOW RIGHT NOW?
(1) Over 20 congregations in our diocese will have the opportunity to participate in Building Bridges; Healing Divides over the next 5 years.
(2) All expenses for participation will be covered by the grant.
(3) Please read on and plan to attend one of our January information sessions to learn more about the program and the application process. Information Zoom sessions will be held at 7 PM Thursday, January 18th & Wednesday, January 31st.
(4) Applications for the first cohort of congregations (10 congregations) will be available February 1st. If your congregation is not yet ready to apply, an opportunity to participate in the second cohort will be available in 2026.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PROGRAM ELEMENTS,
TIMELINES, AND PARTICIPANT
EXPECTATIONS AND GOALS
WATCH THE INFORMATIONAL ZOOM SESSION
APPLICATION TIMELINE
FEB 1, 2024 - Applications available for cohort 1
MAR 15, 2024 - Application submissions due for cohort 1
END OF MARCH 2024 - Congregations chosen for cohort 1 will be notified
APR 2024 - Congregational teams in Cohort 1 will begin reading and other prepatory work
JUN 7-8, 2024 - The 1st in-person Cohort 1 gathering will be in Spokane
EARLY 2026 - Applications for Cohort 2 will be available
COHORT 1 MEETING DATES
PROGRAM STAFF
Cn. Caroline McCall
Canon for Congregational Development
& Grant Program Director
carolinem@spokanediocese.org
Mallory Davis
Grant Program Manager
malloryd@spokanediocese.org
