From the Orthodox Christian Network:
“In a recent article in Religion News Service, it was announced that the Lilly Endowment Inc. is launching a $19.4 million initiative to help congregations engage young adults and work with them to design innovative ministries that support and enrich their religious lives.
“At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to help faith communities transform the ways they think about young adults and how they respond to their spiritual needs.”
Young Adults Desire:
- A place to explore questions of identity and purpose
- Theological traditions as they make life-defining choices about work, friendship, family and service to others
- Quality relationships with peers and mentors as they seek religious nourishment and support for understanding their religious identities
- Self-sufficiency and religious experiences that reflect personal convictions and diverse cultural, political, social and theological perspectives
- Communities that gather beyond the perceived boundaries of a local church
Hellenic College Holy Cross’ Office of Vocation and Ministry is thrilled to be one of twelve colleges and seminaries that are participating in five-year Lilly Endowment young adult initiative.
HCHC received $1.5 million for a new program titled the Telos Project. The Telos Project is an initiative that will assist Orthodox Christian parishes in developing new ministries with young adults ages 23-29 over a five-year period.
Other organizations that are receiving grants through the Young Adult Initiative include:
- Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN – $1,496,533
- Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX – $1,499,263
- Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO – $1,500,000
- Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA – $1,500,000
- Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL – $1,500,000
- Indianapolis Center for Congregations Inc., Indianapolis, IN – $1,571,000
- Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA – $1,500,000
- Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ – $1,500,000
- Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN – $1,380,620
- Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA – $1,499,826
- Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL – $1,500,000
- Wesley Theological Seminary of the United Methodist Church, Washington, DC – $1,500,000.”
You can read the entire press release here.