Christ Church UCC Awarded $60,000 Lilly Endowment Grant for Clergy Renewal

I am excited to share that Christ Church United Church of Christ has been awarded a $60,000 grant through the 2026 Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program, administered by Christian Theological Seminary.

Our congregation is one of just 210 congregations nationwide selected for this competitive program!

Under the theme "Reconnecting with Our Roots," this grant will support my sabbatical during the summer of 2027, when I will reconnect with my ancestral, cultural, and spiritual heritage in Spain and Mexico. Meanwhile, our congregation will embark on its own journey of renewal, rediscovering the United Church of Christ's historical commitments to social justice, inclusion, advocacy, and creating a more just world for all.

I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and excited about what it means for our shared ministry.

Attached is our official news release announcing this exciting milestone.