The vestry of St. Columba's Episcopal Church is pleased to announce that the Christian Theological Seminary, in its role of administering the Lily Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program, has awarded a $50,000 Clergy Renewal Grant to St. Columba's and its rector, The Rev. Maria Hoecker. Awards were granted this year to 146 congregations located in 37 states and the District of Columbia. The 2016 program allows congregations to support their pastors with a designated gift which funds an extended time away from ministerial duties and responsibilities. Pastors use the respite from congregational leadership for reflection and renewal, which often includes travel with family, scholarly research and immersive experiences with different cultures and traditions.

Maria will be on sabbatical away from her service to St. Columba's from July through October 2017. Per diocesan standards, clergy are granted a sabbatical after five years of service to the parish. This clergy renewal grant affords St. Columba's parish with designated funds to compensate supply clergy for four months, organize three parish prayer retreats on Celtic spirituality in 2017 and purchase books for a parish-wide book study. This grant will fully fund Maria's sabbatical travels and study of Celtic Christian spirituality in Iona, Scotland with noted author John Phillip Newell.

A parish meeting was held on Sunday, Nov. 13 where details of the grant were presented by Maria and The Rev. Cn. Michael Ambler of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine. The sabbatical details and timelines will also be presented at the parish annual meeting in late January 2017.

Lily Endowment intends for this program to provide the means for pastors to live for a while at a different pace and in a new environment, in Sabbath time and space. The Rev. Dr. Robert Saler, director of the Lily Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, noted that the National Clergy Renewal Program leverages the reciprocal dynamics of support, trust and encouragement reflective of healthy congregations. Soler states, "The program is designed to respect the innate human need for times of service and replenishment. It provides a means for congregations to express appreciation for their leaders' service and respect for his or her health and energy for continued ministry."