CICW has awarded Vital 91ÁÔÆæ, Vital Preaching Grants for over 20 years to teacher-scholars and worshiping communities in 45+ states and provinces and across 40+ denominations and traditions—including Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, non-denominational, and other Protestant communities.
While worship styles and practices vary greatly across these traditions, the grant projects typically explore at least one of CICW’s ten core convictions related to worship. Explore the hundreds of projects we’ve funded across both streams of the program.
Jeff Street Baptist Community at Liberty
To develop intergenerational worship by connecting the seasons of worshipers' lives to the seasons of the Christian year through art, story-telling, music, and education.
More Than 12 Church
To collaboratively plan multicultural worship services that present newly written biblically inspired psalms and multimedia experiences related to those psalms.
New Brighton Free Methodist Church
To articulate a shared theology of worship and understanding of the Lord's Supper in order to enrich worship participation and practices throughout the church year.
Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
To implement an alternative worship service that includes an innovative and participative liturgy using musical styles from around the world that appeal to all ages.
Resurrection United Methodist Church
To implement a study of the theology of worship that includes Scripture, Psalms, prayer and communion, and to apply this learning to planning worship events.
Robbinsdale United Church of Christ
To deepen understanding and develop creative practices of communion and community in gathering around the table with people of other Christian denominations.
Avon Lake United Church of Christ
To strengthen youth ministry and worship through youth interns who will learn about worship, participate in worship planning and leading, and develop intergenerational relationships throughout the congregation.
Bridge Street AME Church
To bring together multiple generations to plan liturgies that connect Sunday worship to daily life and to enhance the liturgy through artistic interpretations of scripture.
Central Presbyterian Church
To develop a year-long emphasis on all ages living in the presence of God in worship by encouraging deeper participation in scripture, sacraments, prayer, and the arts.
Rainbow Mennonite Church
To provide music, worship, dance, and art opportunities to train young congregants for participation and leadership in worship.
The Light @ Bare Bulb Coffee
To gather families for worship in order to promote a practice of family-based worship and intergenerational spiritual formation.
Trinity Presbyterian Church
To connect a theology of worship and the arts with the mission of the church through a monthly series of ecumenical worship services partnering with local homeless shelters, hospitals, and nursing homes.