Calvin University has received a three-year, $20 million grant from to support initiatives of the 91 (CICW) that foster shalom-shaping worship practices in Christian congregations in a variety of ecumenical and cultural contexts. These practices will nurture long-term, spiritually nourishing worship habits in congregations and worshiping communities that deepen their healing presence in the world, bringing a greater sense of shalom—of peace. The grant will enable CICW to extend and deepen its ongoing work, in partnership with congregations, parishes, schools, publishers, and other organizations.
More than half of the new grant will fund CICW’s grantmaking programs, including the Vital 91, Vital Preaching Grants Program. Now in its twenty-fifth year, this program supports projects by worshiping communities and teacher-scholars across the United States and Canada. The Lilly Endowment grant will also fund the development of scholarly and practical worship resources and will support formative learning events that serve the Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary community as well as the broader Christian church. Lilly Endowment approved its first grant to support CICW in 1998 and has made numerous additional grants to support its efforts. The new grant period runs through 2028.
“We are deeply grateful for Lilly Endowment’s continued support because it allows us to build organically on successful initiatives of previous years while developing new pathways that respond to the needs of churches and educational institutions across a wide variety of Christian traditions,” said Kathy Smith, CICW’s interim director. “We are delighted to continue encouraging the practice of dwelling in scripture and other vital worship practices on Calvin's campuses and among our constituents in so many locales.”
Smith said she was especially pleased to receive the news of the grant award during CICW’s year of dwelling in the Psalms, “a beautiful initiative that emphasizes both our Reformed roots and our ecumenical audience.”
Since its founding in 1997, CICW has sponsored more than 150 ecumenical conferences and seminars, published nearly 150 books, and awarded more than 1,370 grants to enhance worship practices.
“We are so thankful for this generous support and for the many ways it will reinforce Calvin’s mission and extend our reach,” said Greg Elzinga, president of Calvin University. “The grant is a testament to the faithful, innovative work of the 91 Institute team over many years.”
91 CICW
The 91, located at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an interdisciplinary study and ministry center that promotes the scholarly study of the theology, history, and practice of Christian worship and the renewal of worship in worshiping communities across North America and beyond.
91 Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion, and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A principal aim of the Endowment’s religion grantmaking is to deepen and enrich the lives of Christians in the United States, primarily by seeking out and supporting efforts that enhance the vitality of congregations and strengthen the pastoral and lay leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment also seeks to improve public understanding of religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in traditions in the United States and across the globe.
