University Christian Church has received a grant of $60,000 to enable its senior minister, Rev. Megan Peglar, to participate in the 2024 National Clergy Renewal Program. UCC is one of 163 congregations across the United States selected to participate in this competitive grant program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Established by the Endowment in 2000, the program’s grants allow Christian congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.
Ministers whose congregations are awarded the grants use their time away from the demands of daily ministry to engage in reflection and renewal. The approach respects the “Sabbath time” concept, offering ministers a carefully considered respite that may include travel, study, rest, prayer and immersive arts and cultural experiences.
Through the National Clergy Renewal Program, congregations apply for grants of up to $60,000 to support renewal programs for their pastors. Collaborative in nature and implementation, the program allows congregations to partner with their ministers in developing experiences that address their unique renewal needs and aspirations. Recognizing that ministers’ families are subject to the stress and demands placed on pastoral leaders, the program encourages pastors to involve their families in renewal activities. Congregational needs during the minister’s renewal experience also are considered. Up to $20,000 of the grant may be used to support interim pastoral leadership during the pastor’s retreat, as well as renewal activities within the congregation. Since the National Clergy Renewal Program’s inception, more than 4,293 congregations have participated in the program, including the 163 congregations receiving grants in 2024.
Applicants were invited to answer the prompt question “What makes your heart sing?” Music enlivens the lives and ministry of both Rev. Peglar and University Christian Church, so music infuses the plans and activities for both the congregation and minister during the renewal period. Some highlights include: Commissioning nine new pieces of liturgical music to be composed by current or former UT students; purchasing supplemental hymnals to accompany the Chalice Hymnal; paying for guest preachers’ and speakers’ honoraria – hopefully including special lecturers from UT who will provide presentations about music composition and lyric writing; travel for Rev. Peglar and her companions, to include attending a music festival and a solo songwriting retreat, among other trips; and an open mic night upon Rev. Peglar’s return to celebrate the talents of our community as well as our collective time of reset and renewal. The sabbatical will take place in Fall 2025.
“Pastors play such important roles in nurturing the spiritual lives of individuals and families and guiding the ministries of congregations,” said Christopher L. Coble, Vice President for Religion at Lilly Endowment. “Yet the demands of ministry can seem relentless. We hope that these grants will help congregations honor their pastors for their extraordinary service and give them time to step away for rest and renewal so they can come back to their communities reenergized.”
Dr. Robert Saler, Director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary, noted that the grant programs integrate elements of support, trust, and encouragement, which are all indicators of healthy congregations. “The programs are designed to affirm an innate human need to balance active service to others with periods of reflection and renewal. Our goal is that these programs supply congregations with the means to express appreciation for their leaders and actively invest in their pastors’ health and energy for continued ministry,” Saler said.
Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis also directs the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations. Click here to view the full list of recipients.