United Church of Christ ministers will take time out for all kinds of creative renewal, and their congregations will have special spiritual opportunities while they're away, thanks to grants announced by the Lilly Endowment and Christian Theological Seminary.

Eighteen UCC churches are among 150 congregations of various denominations that received 2019 National Clergy Renewal Program Grants. The grants are announced each fall by the seminary, which manages the program for Indianapolis-based Lilly.

"Pastors play an important role in nourishing the spiritual lives of individuals and in guiding the work of the Christian congregations they serve," said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment's vice president for religion. "Through these grants, we seek to honor pastors for their extraordinary service and enable them to engage in a brief period of rest and renewal. We have learned that such experiences invigorate the leadership of pastors and bring new vitality to congregations as well."

Congrats to Rev. Brady Abel and United Church of Sun City on receiving one of the 18 grants!