Institute For Ecumenical & Cultural Research

Called to lives of meaning and purpose initiative: in the coordination's sixth year, our team focused on providing educational opportunities for grantees and operational support for endowment program staff, overseeing the research project and supporting the creation of resources for grantees and their congregations. We are currently working with 13 organizations who are supporting approximately 250 congregations representing 36 states and three canadian provinces.

The collegeville institute welcomes scholars, clergy, church leaders, thinkers, artists, and writers from around the world seeking to discern and communicate the meaning of christian identity and unity in a religiously and culturally diverse world. Well-trained, creative, articulate women and men gather for one or two semesters for careful thought in a place of inquiry and prayer, engaging in independent study within a community setting. This program was put on hold for this fiscal year.

Communities of calling initiative's goal and purpose continues to be: support 13 congregations as they become communities of calling who engage vocation in their worship life, through theological study, and in conversation with and service to their neighbors. Encourage and support a vibrant ecumenical learning community among the congregations that models how focusing on vocation, both individual and communal, revitalizes the local church for its mission in the world. Together with the congregations, to create varied resources on vocation that are contextually appropriate. This is the final year of this program.