La Crosse Area Synod receives Nurturing Children Initiative Grant

Published: November 19, 2024

The La Crosse Area Synod (ELCA) has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Engaging Children Initiative.

The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally engage children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices. 

The La Crosse Area Synod has a mission of “Cultivating life Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s Love.” As we endeavor to expand our capacity to creatively and inclusively engage children in worship, we will be nurturing the roots of faith of our young people, enriching the relationships of all those involved in worship and exploring our way into the next iteration of who we are as church together. We are excited by the potential of this opportunity to strengthen connections between ecumenical faith formation leaders, regional camps, experts and the synod in ways that will intentionally infuse energy and equip congregations of all sizes to embrace and engage children in worship and prayer. 

“We are poised to embark on a project that may impact ministry in this area for generations to come; helping communities experience the difference God’s love makes in their lives.” Bishop Rev. Felix J Malpica.

The La Crosse Area Synod is one of 91 organizations receiving funding through the latest round of the initiative. The various recipients represent and serve congregations in a broad spectrum of Christian traditions, including Catholic, mainline Protestant, evangelical, Orthodox, Anabaptist and Pentecostal faith communities. Several organizations are rooted in Black Church and Hispanic and Asian American Christian traditions. 

“Congregational worship and prayer play a critical role in the spiritual growth of children and offer settings for children to acquire the language of faith, learn their faith traditions and experience the love of God as part of a supportive community,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These programs will help congregations give greater attention to children and how they can more intentionally nurture the faith of children, as well as adults, through worship and prayer.”

About Lilly Endowment Inc

Lilly Endowment Inc. is a private philanthropic 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. The 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 diverse religious traditions by supporting fair and accurate portrayals of the role religion plays in the United States and across the globe.