http://www.unitycrc.org/ en Copyright 2008 Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:08:03 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss grant for studying what a physical worship space communicates about God and mission, and how the church can use its physical space to engage worshippers with God and mission through creative worship. The Worship Renewal grant was awarded by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan. As Unity Church looks to expand their facilities by adding a new sanctuary, Pastor Jeff Fisher, the Project Director of Unity’s Worship Grant, said, “We want our worship space to communicate that God is awesome and deserving of all our reverence, respect, honor, and worship. But at the same time we want it to communicate that God is here, close to each person, and that he desires to dwell not just among his people but in his people. The study and work that this grant enables us to do will be extremely valuable in helping us achieve these goals.” In its seventh year, the grants program will support a variety of creative and thoughtful projects to stimulate and deepen worship renewal. This year CICW is granting almost $750,000 to 57 churches and organizations across North America, from a variety of worship traditions. “The selection of grant recipients from a large number of excellent proposals is a thoughtful and prayerful process that involves many people,” said Betty Grit, Program Manager of the Worship Renewal Grants Program. “We have found that grant projects that are designed to bring people together in a collaborative process of planning worship based on Scripture often create the deepest and longest lasting renewal in worship,” Grit said. “It is our prayer that this grant money will help develop habits of worship that will continue the process of renewal for many years.” A complete list of this year’s grant recipients is available at the Grants section of the Institute’s website, www.calvin.edu/worship. This year, CICW received over 180 proposals from 32 denominations and 42 states and four provinces. CICW consulted with an advisory board of liturgical leaders and scholars from a variety of backgrounds to evaluate grant proposals. “We pay careful attention to budget proposals to see how grant funds will be used,” Grit said. “We consider the stewardly use of these resources to be essential to faithful worship. And yet, we trust that for many of our recipients, the true value of these grants is not a sum of money, but a long-term process of learning, growing, and worship renewal.” John Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, said one common theme in this year’s grant projects is reflecting on how worship forms worshipers to be Christian disciples. “Many of this year’s recipients represent a renewed hunger in the church for reflecting on the meaning and purpose of worship, and rediscovering how the words and music of our worship shape us for Christian service in all areas of life,” Witvliet said. The Worship Renewal Grants Program is generously supported by Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1937, the Endowment’s major areas of concern are community development, education, and religion.]]> http://www.unitycrc.org/worship_grant_project/unity_church_re/ http://www.unitycrc.org/worship_grant_project/unity_church_re/ Worship Grant Project Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:08:03 -0600