$20,000 Grant from Wartburg Seminary to Support 6261

On Friday, June 13, our Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod received a grant for $20,000 from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa to support our congregations exploring ecumenical 6261 Ministry Communities – the new collaboration concept where 6 congregations share 2 pastors, 6 licensed lay ministers, and 1 deacon to do mission and ministry together.

This grant is part of a new initiative by Wartburg Seminary called the CASTLE Project to encourage rural ministry, lay ministry, and collaborations across denominations. NEPS is one of just 18 synods (out of 65 synods across the country) who were grant recipients. We applied for this particular grant to provide resources for our congregations who are exploring 6261 with ecumenical, full-communion partners – especially with Episcopal and UCC congregations.

Deacon Kat Tigerman, our synod’s Director for Evangelical Mission, also takes lead-support for 6261. Says Bishop Chris deForest: “I am excited to see this support coming from the larger church. Wartburg has invited us to apply for further grants and we are seeking a variety of granting opportunities in the months and years to come. With over 90 congregations in our synod in conversation around 6261, the time is now to support our congregations in this life-giving work of shared ministry.”

For more information about this grant and which other synods received one, please refer to this press release from Wartburg Seminary.