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Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Lilly Endowment Awards Major Grant to FTE to Support Young “Volunteers Exploring Vocation”
Program expansion supports college graduates seeking to serve the common good
Contact: Tasha Schroeder
(404) 727-1137
ATLANTA, August XX, 2006—With a new grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) will partner with 10 national faith-based young adult volunteer programs to help recent college graduates embark on a theological exploration of vocation. The project will help participants explore possible career paths geared toward serving others, including Christian ministry.
The $498,000 grant will fund a one-year expansion of Volunteers Exploring Vocation, an FTE pilot project launched in 2005 with five national organizations—the Brethren Volunteer Service, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Atlanta Mission Year and the Presbyterian Church (USA) Young Adult Volunteers. This year, the program will include five additional partners: Catholic Volunteers in Florida, the Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship, Mennonite Voluntary Service, the New York Intern Program, and the US2 program of the United Methodist Church.
Organization representatives and FTE program officers gathered recently in Atlanta to plan programs that will serve more than 150 recent college graduates across the U.S.
“Young adults need support as they decide what they will do with their lives,” said Melissa Wiginton, vice president for FTE Ministry Programs and Planning. “Students engaged in voluntary year-of-service programs are asking serious questions about how they can serve the common good. This initiative helps them on that journey. In particular, it assists young people who want to explore Christian ministry as a profession that can embody the best of who they want to be.”
FTE’s Volunteers Exploring Vocation program provides structured discussions and materials that help guide program participants through personal reflection about their lives and professional goals. It also offers funding to attend a national conference, led by educators and pastors, for young volunteers interested in exploring theological education and congregational ministry. In addition, five selected volunteers will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to pursue a Master of Divinity degree.
The Fund for Theological Education is a leading ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. It supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, annually providing more than $1.2 million in fellowships and a network of support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
The Fund is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs that encourage highly capable candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, the Atlanta-based Fund has awarded more than 5,700 fellowships in partnership with others committed to the future of quality leadership for the church.
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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
Contact: Tasha Schroeder
(404) 727-1137
ATLANTA, August XX, 2006—With a new grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) will partner with 10 national faith-based young adult volunteer programs to help recent college graduates embark on a theological exploration of vocation. The project will help participants explore possible career paths geared toward serving others, including Christian ministry.
The $498,000 grant will fund a one-year expansion of Volunteers Exploring Vocation, an FTE pilot project launched in 2005 with five national organizations—the Brethren Volunteer Service, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Atlanta Mission Year and the Presbyterian Church (USA) Young Adult Volunteers. This year, the program will include five additional partners: Catholic Volunteers in Florida, the Krista Foundation for Global Citizenship, Mennonite Voluntary Service, the New York Intern Program, and the US2 program of the United Methodist Church.
Organization representatives and FTE program officers gathered recently in Atlanta to plan programs that will serve more than 150 recent college graduates across the U.S.
“Young adults need support as they decide what they will do with their lives,” said Melissa Wiginton, vice president for FTE Ministry Programs and Planning. “Students engaged in voluntary year-of-service programs are asking serious questions about how they can serve the common good. This initiative helps them on that journey. In particular, it assists young people who want to explore Christian ministry as a profession that can embody the best of who they want to be.”
FTE’s Volunteers Exploring Vocation program provides structured discussions and materials that help guide program participants through personal reflection about their lives and professional goals. It also offers funding to attend a national conference, led by educators and pastors, for young volunteers interested in exploring theological education and congregational ministry. In addition, five selected volunteers will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to pursue a Master of Divinity degree.
The Fund for Theological Education is a leading ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. It supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, annually providing more than $1.2 million in fellowships and a network of support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
The Fund is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs that encourage highly capable candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, the Atlanta-based Fund has awarded more than 5,700 fellowships in partnership with others committed to the future of quality leadership for the church.
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
