$500K Lilly Endowment Inc. Thriving in Ministry Sustainability Grant Poised to Transform Diocese
- Written by Marti Pieper
- Length 16 minutes, 42 seconds
- Category Articles, Diocesan Family, Episcopal & Anglican News, Leadership, Stewardship
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The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida has received a $500,000 sustainability grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to continue its clergy mentoring and development programs through 2028, building on a previous $1 million grant that fostered emotional, spiritual, and professional support for clergy. The funds will enhance initiatives like deanery events, clergy conferences, and leadership training, with the goal of strengthening both clergy health and church vitality across the diocese.
Today Bishop Justin Holcomb @justinholcomb visited All Saints Enterprise @allsaintsenterprise, where they celebrated 15 confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations of faith. They also rejoiced in the celebration of new ministry for The Rev. Stephen Feibelman @stephenyoung_93, who has recently accepted a call to serve as rector. Fr. Stephen began the day by celebrating his first service in the historic church at 8:00 am, before the Bishop’s visit, and there was a lovely reception afterward.
The day was filled with joy and community — including the fun moment when Bishop Justin, Fr. Stephen, and Fr. Stu Shelby @stu.shelby from All Saints Winter Park @allsaintswinterpark discovered they were all wearing the same shoes. Stephen’s parents were present to share in this special occasion, and the parish was also excited to welcome Fr. Bob Mountford, who served as Associate Priest during much of the transition at All Saints.
We give thanks for the witness of this parish, for the new season of ministry beginning at All Saints, and for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all who took these steps in faith. Please join us in praying for them as they continue their journey with Christ.
Today Bishop Justin Holcomb @justinholcomb visited All Saints Enterprise @allsaintsenterprise, where they celebrated 15 confirmations, receptions, and reaffirmations of faith. They also rejoiced in the celebration of new ministry for The Rev. Stephen Feibelman @stephenyoung_93, who has recently accepted a call to serve as rector. Fr. Stephen began the day by celebrating his first service in the historic church at 8:00 am, before the Bishop’s visit, and there was a lovely reception afterward.
The day was filled with joy and community — including the fun moment when Bishop Justin, Fr. Stephen, and Fr. Stu Shelby @stu.shelby from All Saints Winter Park @allsaintswinterpark discovered they were all wearing the same shoes. Stephen’s parents were present to share in this special occasion, and the parish was also excited to welcome Fr. Bob Mountford, who served as Associate Priest during much of the transition at All Saints.
We give thanks for the witness of this parish, for the new season of ministry beginning at All Saints, and for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all who took these steps in faith. Please join us in praying for them as they continue their journey with Christ.
Bishop Justin (@justinholcomb) is in Dallas today for the consecration of the Rt. Rev. Rob Price as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Dallas (@dallasdiocese).
He is joined by leaders from across the Anglican Communion, including Bishop Anthony Poggo, General Secretary of the Anglican Communion, and Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, former General Secretary.
We give thanks for Bishop Price’s new ministry and pray for the Diocese of Dallas as they step into this next chapter of gospel service and witness.
Bishop Justin (@justinholcomb) is in Dallas today for the consecration of the Rt. Rev. Rob Price as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Dallas (@dallasdiocese).
He is joined by leaders from across the Anglican Communion, including Bishop Anthony Poggo, General Secretary of the Anglican Communion, and Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, former General Secretary.
We give thanks for Bishop Price’s new ministry and pray for the Diocese of Dallas as they step into this next chapter of gospel service and witness.
Exciting news! Our own canon to the ordinary, the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith, and CFO Roman Franklin are leading a webinar for the Episcopal Parish Network. They`ll explore a vital question for all church leaders: "Church Treasurers: Managers or Leaders?"
The discussion will emphasize building true partnerships and a long-term vision for ministry, moving beyond just numbers to focus on people and purpose. Who needs to attend from your church? Learn more and register using the link in our bio!
Exciting news! Our own canon to the ordinary, the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith, and CFO Roman Franklin are leading a webinar for the Episcopal Parish Network. They`ll explore a vital question for all church leaders: "Church Treasurers: Managers or Leaders?"
The discussion will emphasize building true partnerships and a long-term vision for ministry, moving beyond just numbers to focus on people and purpose. Who needs to attend from your church? Learn more and register using the link in our bio!
Something special is happening at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Sanford! Since the Rev. Jared Jones arrived in late 2023, the church has experienced a vibrant revitalization, with Sunday attendance growing from 68 to 114 people. It`s a testament to the power of a gospel-centered message, renewed worship and a focus on Christ’s redeeming love. Come and see what the Holy Spirit is doing!
Read more using the link in our bio!
Something special is happening at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Sanford! Since the Rev. Jared Jones arrived in late 2023, the church has experienced a vibrant revitalization, with Sunday attendance growing from 68 to 114 people. It`s a testament to the power of a gospel-centered message, renewed worship and a focus on Christ’s redeeming love. Come and see what the Holy Spirit is doing!
Read more using the link in our bio!
What a touching moment! Today, during Bishop Holcomb‘s Northwest Deanery clericus at St. Thomas, Eustis, the clergy presented him with 14 stuffed sheep, each bearing the name of a different parish. This thoughtful gift, planned well in advance of today, was presented after the bishop’s clericus sermon on Matthew 9:36-38 in which he spoke of Christ’s compassion for the “sheep without a shepherd.”
This humorous divine coincidence provided an opportunity for the clergy to celebrate the bishop’s deep pastoral care and remind him that he is their shepherd as well. Thanks to Dean Matthew Perreault and St. Thomas for their incredible hospitality, and the clergy of the Northwest Deanery for a day and a gift that the bishop will hold close to his shepherd‘s heart!
What a touching moment! Today, during Bishop Holcomb‘s Northwest Deanery clericus at St. Thomas, Eustis, the clergy presented him with 14 stuffed sheep, each bearing the name of a different parish. This thoughtful gift, planned well in advance of today, was presented after the bishop’s clericus sermon on Matthew 9:36-38 in which he spoke of Christ’s compassion for the “sheep without a shepherd.”
This humorous divine coincidence provided an opportunity for the clergy to celebrate the bishop’s deep pastoral care and remind him that he is their shepherd as well. Thanks to Dean Matthew Perreault and St. Thomas for their incredible hospitality, and the clergy of the Northwest Deanery for a day and a gift that the bishop will hold close to his shepherd‘s heart!
Today, clergy and lay leaders from 27 churches in the Diocese of Central Florida gathered at St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando, (@stmaryangels) for our diocesan stewardship workshop.james.taylor.261099
We explored how gratitude fuels generosity with the Rev. Dr. James Taylor, learned about transforming congregational stewardship, and heard success stories from local parishes. The day also included a roundtable with diocesan leaders and time for fellowship over lunch.
We’re grateful for all who attended and look forward to seeing the fruit of faithful, joyful stewardship across our diocese.
Today, clergy and lay leaders from 27 churches in the Diocese of Central Florida gathered at St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando, (@stmaryangels) for our diocesan stewardship workshop.james.taylor.261099
We explored how gratitude fuels generosity with the Rev. Dr. James Taylor, learned about transforming congregational stewardship, and heard success stories from local parishes. The day also included a roundtable with diocesan leaders and time for fellowship over lunch.
We’re grateful for all who attended and look forward to seeing the fruit of faithful, joyful stewardship across our diocese.
After 26 years of faithful service, we say a heartfelt thank you and farewell to our vice chancellor, William “Bill” Grimm, as he enters retirement. His legal expertise, wise counsel, and quiet humility have been an immense gift to the Diocese of Central Florida, guiding our leaders and helping to shape our canons. We are profoundly grateful for his dedication and lasting impact.
Please join us in wishing Bill a joyful and restful retirement!
Read more using the link in our bio!
After 26 years of faithful service, we say a heartfelt thank you and farewell to our vice chancellor, William “Bill” Grimm, as he enters retirement. His legal expertise, wise counsel, and quiet humility have been an immense gift to the Diocese of Central Florida, guiding our leaders and helping to shape our canons. We are profoundly grateful for his dedication and lasting impact.
Please join us in wishing Bill a joyful and restful retirement!
Read more using the link in our bio!
Bishop @justinholcomb visited Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, where we celebrated 3 Adult Confirmations and 3 Youth Confirmations. One of the adults came from St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando, a reminder of the hospitality and connectedness within our Diocese.
It was especially moving to see two young people joined by their godparents as the Bishop prayed over them. Years ago, their godparents and parents stood at the baptismal font and promised to nurture them in the Christian faith. Today, they stood together once again, witnessing their godchildren make their own mature commitment to Christ.
We also give thanks for all those who helped make this day so special:
• Fr. Charles Myers, his wife Monique, and son Moses
• Dr. Lorraine Harris, St. John’s Membership Chair, who made the day possible
• Carl Maultsby, musician for the Bishop’s consecration, with Dr. John Robertson, retired UBE leader and champion for Becoming Beloved Community
• Miss Alberta, who celebrated her 100th birthday
• Deacon Pat Roberts
• Ama Brown-Fenton, Diocesan Board Member, who shared additional photos
• Carrie A. Brown, President of the Canon Nelson Pinder UBE Chapter of Central Florida
A day of joy, faith, and deep community in Christ.
Bishop @justinholcomb visited Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, where we celebrated 3 Adult Confirmations and 3 Youth Confirmations. One of the adults came from St. Mary of the Angels, Orlando, a reminder of the hospitality and connectedness within our Diocese.
It was especially moving to see two young people joined by their godparents as the Bishop prayed over them. Years ago, their godparents and parents stood at the baptismal font and promised to nurture them in the Christian faith. Today, they stood together once again, witnessing their godchildren make their own mature commitment to Christ.
We also give thanks for all those who helped make this day so special:
• Fr. Charles Myers, his wife Monique, and son Moses
• Dr. Lorraine Harris, St. John’s Membership Chair, who made the day possible
• Carl Maultsby, musician for the Bishop’s consecration, with Dr. John Robertson, retired UBE leader and champion for Becoming Beloved Community
• Miss Alberta, who celebrated her 100th birthday
• Deacon Pat Roberts
• Ama Brown-Fenton, Diocesan Board Member, who shared additional photos
• Carrie A. Brown, President of the Canon Nelson Pinder UBE Chapter of Central Florida
A day of joy, faith, and deep community in Christ.
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The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida will have new opportunities to equip and encourage clergy, thanks to the June 20 awarding of a $500,000 Thriving in Ministry sustainability grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The funds will allow for continued diocesan support for clergy mentoring and collegiality for a three-year period that begins in January 2026.
The new grant continues the work supported by the $1 million Thriving in Ministry grant awarded to the diocese by Lilly Endowment in December 2020. Funds from this grant, disbursed from then through 2023, with an extension to 2024, continued the diocesan Fostering Clergy Mentoring and Collegiality program. This program, now set to continue, subsidizes robust mentoring, collegiality and continued clergy development. With a four-pronged approach, it is designed to sustain the emotional, relational, professional and spiritual health of clergy.
Grant Overview
“The sustainability grant will provide the diocese the financial means to carry out initiatives that foster healthy clergy and thriving churches,” said Canon Sarah Caprani, chief of staff for the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb. “The bishop and the diocese believe you can’t have one without the other. This grant will help us to continue the good work we’ve been able to do with the million-dollar Thriving in Ministry grant for leadership development that we were awarded back in 2020.”
Caprani and Holcomb served as primary writers of the grant application, with assistance from diocesan CFO Roman Franklin. “The grant would not have happened without Canon Sarah’s efforts,” Franklin said. “I put a budget together and did 5% of the work for this, but she and the bishop did the vast majority. It was a relatively short time window, and it was an amazing proposal. From a budget perspective, the most exciting part about this for me is that this new sustainability grant continues to support ministry started by the first grant we received from Lilly Endowment in 2020.”
After submitting the grant proposal, Caprani attended a Lilly Endowment gathering in Indianapolis on March 25-27. “There, I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from other religious organizations that have also been recipients of Thriving in Ministry grants,” she explained. “Throughout the three days, there were opportunities for networking and a lot of great breakout sessions. There was also an educational group time where we learned how to fundraise and about taking a program and moving it into its next life cycle.
“The diocese is now entering the sustainability phase,” she continued. “The initiatives have been birthed; they have their footing, and now we’re figuring out how to sustain the work that needs to go forward.”
Grant Specifics
The good news of the grant brings both opportunity and accompanying responsibility. “This has opened doors to us that we only dreamed of before,” Caprani said. “It will cover programs we’ve always wanted to offer – and some we’ve already offered – and allow us to do them at a high level of excellence.
“As a part of this grant, we’re required to do some fundraising,” she added. “I think that where the gospel’s concerned, your money reveals your heart. That’s a whole added component, and I’m very excited to say that I’ve just confirmed that at our 2026 Diocesan Convention, the Rev. Meredith McNabb, an amazing speaker whom I heard at the Lilly Endowment gathering, will lead breakout sessions to teach leaders in our churches how to do fundraising well.” McNabb is the associate director of education for the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Deanery Events
“In our current operating budget, we have $5,000 budgeted per deanery – so $25,000 in total – that each of the deans can use to conduct events in their deaneries,” Caprani explained. “Those initiatives were introduced through the $1 million Lilly Endowment grant, and we realized they were success stories, so the diocese has been committed to continuing this ministry.”
Previous programs and events at the deanery level now eligible for support through the Sustainability Grant include various trainings, clergy days and events to support clergy collegiality. In addition, the grant funds will offset a portion of both the bishop’s and Caprani’s salary and benefits, since they will serve respectively as grant director and manager.
“Lilly Endowment completely supports using grant money in that way,” Caprani said. “As we look at the operating budget, that’s really good news.”
Ministry, Leadership and Mission
Ministry, Leadership and Mission is one of the existing diocesan programs that, from 2026-2027, will be fully funded by the sustainability grant. This program provides training and support for clergy who are new rectors or in other new positions. The Very Rev. Dr. Dave Johnson, dean of the Central Deanery and rector, Church of the Resurrection, Longwood, facilitates MLM, which meets monthly at the diocesan office, with a new group beginning each spring and fall. He also invites special guests, including Holcomb; the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith; and Ms. Monica Taffinder, a professional counselor with expertise in trauma, to speak on topics of benefit to the clergy.
“When Bishop Justin was the canon for vocations in our diocese, he wanted to foster additional mentorship and collegiality,” Caprani said. “So every spring and fall, we offer four MLM classes, so a new priest or someone new to being a rector will do eight classes total. Although the spring and fall sessions don’t always contain the same people, MLM gives these priests a chance to know each other, which allows for mentoring between more experienced and less experienced priests. We’ve seen that happen organically in the past, and we expect it to continue.”
Clergy Conferences/Clergy Days
The sustainability grant will also support the popular diocesan Clergy Conference to continue each year at what Caprani termed a “spectacular” level.
“This new grant means we can really look after our leaders and bring in some top-notch training,” she said. “We’re excited about that prospect. It will also mean we can do some great Clergy Days throughout the year, complete with training and excellent hospitality. The point of all this is that if our leaders are healthy, our churches will be healthy too. There’s not so much burnout and isolation when we can keep initiatives like these in place.”
Gospel Impact: Transformation
“When I think about the impact of this grant, ‘transformation’ is the word that comes to mind,” Caprani said. “Because, by the grace of God, we’ve received this opportunity, we’re truly going to see him transform the clergy and the people of our diocese. Through these trainings and opportunities for collegiality, the grant funds will provide opportunities for people to have a closer relationship with God and with each other. The revitalization opportunities will also be innovative, allowing us to take our diocese into the decades ahead in a way that honors God and extends the kingdom.”
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. Although the Endowment maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana, it also funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. 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 foster public understanding about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the roles that people of all faiths and various religious communities play in the United State and around the globe.