In June, 2011, the Massachusetts Conference officially launched a $3.5 million Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Endowment campaign aimed at providing a permanent source of income for the Pastoral Excellence Programs, which for the past nine years have been funded through the Lilly Endowment. 

"The Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ is now a nationally recognized leader in nurturing pastoral excellence," says Conference Minister & President Jim Antal.  "In our grant request to Lilly Endowment, Inc., we asked them to invest in our hunch that excellent pastors are indispensable for creating excellent churches. Since receiving that initial major grant in 2002, Lilly has renewed funding for this project. Why? Because the Massachusetts Conference has shown that it’s true – excellent pastors are indispensable for creating excellent churches." 

However, that funding expired at the end of 2012, so the endowment campaign is necessary to keep the Pastoral Excellence Program running.  Support can come in many forms.

Churches can support the campaign in any of the following ways:

• A pledge over a 3- to 5-year period;
• Participating in special offerings over the next five years;
• Holding wrap-around Capital Campaigns, in which the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Endowment Fund is included in the mission component;
• Making a gift from invested funds.

Individuals can participate by:

• Making a 3- to 5-year pledge;
• Making a one-time gift; (go to online donation form)
• Contributing stock or another asset;
• Pledging a planned gift, such as a gift annuity or bequest.

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