{"id":53649,"date":"2021-01-29T16:00:38","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T16:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/ccv\/?p=53649"},"modified":"2024-12-04T17:29:46","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T17:29:46","slug":"thriving-congregations-learning-partnership-application-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.augsburg.edu\/ccv\/2021\/01\/29\/thriving-congregations-learning-partnership-application-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Thriving Congregations: Learning Partnership Application Process"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minneapolis Area Synod and Augsburg University\u2019s Christensen Center for Vocation were both awarded a Thriving Congregations grant through the Lilly Endowment to support work with area congregations. These individual projects share a commitment to accompanying\u00a0 congregations as they discern their call to BE neighbor, rooted in their faith and opened to the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Our two organizations are partnering to support each other in this work. While the particular experiences of congregations who participate in either project will differ in some key ways, our mutual efforts and curiosities are in sync with each other. This opens room to collaborate and learn together over the life of this initiative.<\/p>\n

Our collaboration begins in offering a joint application process for congregations interested in either (or both) of these projects. Whether you are interested in MAS\u2019s \u201cFaith Practices and Neighboring Practices\u201d learning community or Augsburg\u2019s \u201cRiverside Innovation Hub\u201d learning community, we are providing a single application process. Our staff members are partnering closely to offer congregations a straightforward and thoughtful experience as you discern the exciting opportunities that our Thriving Congregation\u2019s Grants are making available.<\/span><\/p>\n

For brief project descriptions, distinctions, and eligibility for each project you can see this PDF document<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Project Descriptions & Eligibility<\/h2>\n

Riverside Innovation Hub<\/span>\"Riverside<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Riverside Innovation Hub, stewarded by the Christensen Center for Vocation at Augsburg University, will learn and experiment with the Public Church Framework as a method for place based vocational discernment in the public square for the common good. This new opportunity is an invitation to congregations interested in pursuing or deepening this same orientation in their particular place, in relationship with the neighbor and neighborhood, leaning into God\u2019s promises and challenges that meet us there.\u00a0This project is open to all Christian congregations within an hour of the Twin Cities Metro Area. Congregations outside this geographic area may apply but should know their experience in the project may differ slightly. Participation in the learning community will include bringing teams to Augsburg’s campus 3-4 times a year (as COVID-19 allows.)
\nLearn More about Riverside Innovation Hub<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Neighboring Practices and Faith Practices\"Minneapolis<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

Neighboring Practices and Faith Practices, stewarded by the Minneapolis Area Synod, will focus on faith practices and neighboring practices, because congregations connect best with their neighborhood when they practice their faith and they see with new eyes that God is already at work in their neighborhood.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The Minneapolis Area Synod project is open to all Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) congregations within the geographic boundaries of the Minneapolis Area Synod and African Methodist Episcopal (AME) congregations within Minnesota.<\/p>\n

Learn More about Faith Practices and Neighboring Practices<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Application Process<\/h2>\n

Step 1: Learn more:<\/h3>\n
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\"colorful<\/a>Co-hosted informational sessions were offered in February. Each project is hosting one additional opportunity specific to their project.<\/p>\n

For Minneapolis Synod congregations, watch for a workshop at the MAS Toolkit event on Saturday, March 13th.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For congregations interested in the Riverside Innovation Hub, RSVP at the link below for an info session on Tuesday, Mar 16th from 10:30-11:30am.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Note: RIH is open to any Christian denomination in the metro area or surrounding cities. MAS is open to ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod churches and Minnesota AME churches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

RSVP to RIH Info Session<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Step 2: Submit\u00a0Letter of Intent<\/h3>\n

Accepted on a rolling basis<\/h4>\n

Congregations interested in pursuing the application process with either the MAS or RIH projects are asked to have their senior pastor submit a letter of intent to apply, via a google form. Letters of intent will be accepted on a rolling basis, until the end of the application period.<\/p>\n

Submission of your letter of intent will:<\/p>\n