Educate, Equip, Enact (3E)
The Grand Canyon Synod is pleased to announce that it is sharing in a grant awarded to the Rocky Mountain Synod as part of the Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. The purpose of the grant is to build a Ministerial Excellence Fund and to help congregations enhance stewardship. Funds for the match will be contributed by generous congregations and individuals who understand that we share a common purpose and that lifting the welfare of one lifts the welfare of all.
The grant will expend a total of $1,000,000 in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Synod. Half of that amount consists of Lilly dollars, and half is required to be raised in order to match each grant dollar. The plan is to expend $700,000 in the Rocky Mountain Synod and $300,000 in the Grand Canyon Synod.
The new program, titled Educate, Equip, Enact (3E), will increase capacity for healthy ministry by alleviating rostered ministers' crippling debt and give tools to congregations to increase generosity and renew focus on mission. In the Grand Canyon Synod, 3E will have three components, Stewardship for All Seasons, Vital Right-Shaped Ministry, and the Ministerial Excellence Fund for rostered ministers and candidates.
The objective of Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS) is to guide rostered ministers and congregational leaders to learn tried and true principles of fundraising and effective methodologies to carry out fruitful, broad-range stewardship programs that enliven a culture of generosity.
The Ministerial Excellence Fund (MEF) will enable us to partner with any Grand Canyon Synod rostered minister to develop strong financial literacy and financial management skills, while providing aid to reduce or eliminate education (seminary or undergraduate) or medical debt. A portion of the grant is also reserved for aiding those in a time of emergency, when all avenues of alternate relief have been investigated and applied for.
To learn more about the opportunities available through 3E visit gcsynod.org. If you have questions about the stewardship opportunities contact Miguel Gomez-Acosta at miguel.gomez-acosta@elca.org If you are wondering if the Ministerial Excellence Funds are right for you contact Molly Gary at marykgary@gmail.com to share your situation or raise your questions.
There are two spots left for this year’s cohort of Stewardship for All Seasons. Please let Pr. Miguel know if you are interested in taking one of those spots by May 4, 2023. First come first served.
This will be the last year that a $2,900 scholarship will be provided, making the costs to our congregations only $250 for a quality yearlong stewardship program. View a PDF flyer here.
The Grand Canyon Synod has the opportunity to provide 10 scholarships for Stewardship for All Seasons. This will be the last year that a $2,900 scholarship will be provided, making the costs to our congregations only $250 for a quality yearlong stewardship program. View a PDF flyer here.
The cohort begins May 27, 2023, so please notify Pr. Miguel Gomez-Acosta if you are interested in participating by May 4, 2023.
These scholarships are made possible because of our partnership with Rocky Mountain Synod and the Lilly Endowment, as well as your generous donations to the Growing Generosity Appeal.
In this post and video we explore Growing Future Campus Ministries: Planting seeds for Lutheran Campus Ministry and new & emerging ministries.
With gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals, we can meet our $750,000 goal. Thank you to all who have helped us with gifts of $644,617 so far towards our Growing Generosity Appeal. We invite you to consider a gift. Please visit our pledge page for more info.
In this post and video we explore Growing Future Ministries: Planting seeds for Lutheran Campus Ministry and new & emerging ministries.
With gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals, we can meet our $750,000 goal. Thank you to all who have helped us with gifts of $627,731 so far towards our Growing Generosity Appeal.
On June 16, 2022, four congregations and ministries in the Grand Canyon Synod were awarded a total of $16,000 in 2022 VRSM Vitality and Innovation grants: Vida Nueva, Lutheran Campus Ministry (ASU, UA, NAU), Central Lutheran’s ACE Program (Adult Community Education), and Trinity Lutheran’s Food Bank.
Parts of the grant were funded by the Lilly 3E initiative with Rocky Mountain Synod, as well as our synod’s Growing Generosity Appeal, which thanks to the generosity of individuals and congregations now exceeds $600,000.
Having already raised over $500,000 to fund our Growing Generosity Appeal, let’s create possibilities together. With your help, we can top our next goal to raise another $250,00 by the end of 2023 through gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals!
The plans for these additional funds will benefit Lutheran Campus Ministries, new & emerging ministries, and our advocacy efforts. In this post we explore Growing Financial Viability: Planting seeds of financial support for pastors and congregations through 3E Lilly Grants and programs.
The New and Renewing Team of the Grand Canyon Synod is excited to announce the 2nd round of Lilly 3E Vital Right Shaped Ministries Vitality and Innovation Grants. Apply using this Word document.
Applications are due by June 10, 2022. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Pr. Miguel Gomez-Acosta at miguel.gomez-acosta@elca.org.
Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain Synods announce a Lutheran cohort for ASU Lodestar Center’s Best Skills Best Churches certificate program starting in July. View a PDF brochure for more info and click here to register.
Thanks to the Lilly Endowment and funding from our Growing Generosity appeal, we provide this opportunity for rostered and lay leaders for only $150 per student. Act now: space is limited to 20 students from our synod and the deadline to register is June 13, 2022.
A new cohort of Stewardship for All Seasons begins May 21, 2022. This year’s program is subsidized significantly by the last year of our Lilly 3E grant and other donors. For more info, view our web page or PDF.
We highly recommend that congregations that participated in Beginning a Culture of Generosity consider signing up for this last cohort of SAS. Scholarships are also be available for second year SAS congregations. If you have questions or want to sign up, please contact Pr. Miguel Gomez-Acosta.
UPDATE: We have 20 spots remaining for pastors, deacons, and lay leaders, especially congregational council members.
Best Skills, Best Churches, offered online, is a graduate/executive level certificate program designed to advance rostered ministers' and lay leaders’ knowledge and skills for effective management of congregations and ministries. Enroll here for Best Skills, Best Churches, which begins July 11, 2023. The cost is only $150 per participant, a $775 value made possible by the 3E Lilly Grant. View a PDF flyer here.
Questions? Contact Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, Director for Evangelical Mission and Bishop’s Associate for Congregational Vitality.