Good News!!
Good Shepherd has received a grant for Pastor Mary to participate in the 2023 National Clergy Renewal Program. Good Shepherd is one of 177 congregations across the United States selected to participate in this competitive grant program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. Established by the Endowment in 2000, the program’s grants allow Christian congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away (usually three months) from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.
Lilly’s national Clergy Renewal program was started in 2000 to help congregations and pastors grow be revitalized via sabbatical.
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, prayer and immersive arts and cultural experiences.
Through the National Clergy Renewal Program, congregations apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support renewal programs for their pastors, with up to $15,000 of the awarded grant to be used for congregation renewal activities. 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.
Pastor Mary’s sabbatical plan is to embark on an ancient Christian pilgrimage. She will walk the Camino de Santiago from Portugal and Spain next summer. This pilgrimage path is a 400-mile trek from Lisbon, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. At the end of the pilgrimage, she will travel with her family in Spain. This will take place in late Spring-early Summer of 2024.
Good Shepherd members Karl and Carolyn stand in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Campostela. Pr. Mary’s journey will bring her to this same place in June 2024.
The part of the grant reserved for congregational renewal activities is going to be used by the program staff of Good Shepherd for staff development and enrichment. A healthy and connected staff team helps the congregation stay healthy and connected.
The background of this pilgrimage: There are 7 main routes from various parts of Portugal, Spain, or France to the city of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. This city is where the tomb of the Apostle James is located.
The path that Pastor Mary will take is called the Portuguese Camino and is considered the most solitary and spiritual path.
The path that Pastor Mary will take is called the Portuguese Camino and is considered the most solitary and spiritual path. This path is 650 km or 403 miles long. It takes about 30 days to complete the pilgrimage by walking 10-20 miles per day. It will be a stark change from the hectic pace of everyday life - a chance for the body to get accustomed to the pace of walking. Part of the challenge of a pilgrimage is walking so many miles each day to the next public hostel before night fall. The other part of the challenge will be mental and spiritual as Pastor Mary will not be using air pods or headphones. She says, “It will just be me and my thoughts and God, and the people I may meet along the way.”
The Spanish poet, Antonio Machado, once wrote "Traveler, your footprints are the only road, nothing else. Traveler, there is no road; you make your own path as you walk. " An integral part of growing into the vocation of pastor is constantly putting one foot in front of the other. Pastors learn as they go. Pr. Mary says, “I have reached a stage in leadership at Good Shepherd where I feel confident AND understand that I have so much more to learn. I look forward to learning and growing on this walk, encountering God and discerning how God will continue working through me and through Good Shepherd in the future.”
Quote from Antonio Machado
“Pastors play an important role in nourishing the spiritual lives of individuals and in guiding the work of the Christian congregations they serve,” said Christopher L. Coble, the Endowment’s vice president for religion. “Through these grants, we seek to honor pastors for their extraordinary service and enable them to engage in a brief period of rest and renewal. We have learned that such experiences invigorate the leadership of pastors and bring new vitality to their congregations as well.”
Dr. Robert Saler, 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.”
We are so excited to celebrate Pr. Mary on this journey! Would you please add Mary to your prayers as she prepares for this journey?
Many thanks to the Lilly program for making this opportunity possible!