PARISH IMPACT GIVING CAMPAIGN
What Does It Take for an Orthodox Parish to Thrive?
It begins with healthy, supported Clergy and Clergy Families.
Thriving in Ministry creates trusted Orthodox Christian peer communities where priests and clergy wives are strengthened for faithful, sustainable parish ministry.
Strengthening the People Who Strengthen Our Parishes
Parish ministry is deeply rewarding. It can also be isolating.
Thriving in Ministry brings priests and clergy wives into separate, facilitator-led peer communities where they can pray together, speak honestly about ministry, share wisdom, and build trusted relationships.
These relationships strengthen the people serving our parishes, and that impact reaches the whole Church.
When those entrusted with ministry are strengthened, our parishes are strengthened. When clergy are connected rather than isolated, the whole Church benefits.
Help Us Reach Our $60,000 Goal!
Help Carry Thriving in Ministry Forward
Thriving in Ministry originally anticipated supporting about 20 peer groups.
Today, there are 28 active groups and growing.
This campaign has a goal of $60,000 to help sustain these communities, train new facilitators, and make room for more priests and clergy wives to participate.
Help Us Reach Our $60,000 Goal!
Make a one-time gift or choose monthly giving to provide dependable support throughout the year.
Your Gift Strengthens More Than One Person
Supporting Thriving in Ministry creates an impact that extends far beyond each peer group.
Priests
Trusted relationships with peers who understand the challenges and responsibilities of parish ministry.
Clergy Wives
Meaningful connection, encouragement, and community with other clergy wives.
Clergy Families
Supported clergy and spouses are better equipped to care for their families while serving the Church.
Parishes
When clergy are healthy, connected, and supported, the entire parish community benefits.
A Growing Ministry
Active Peer
Groups
Clergy Groups +
Clergy Wives Groups
Active
Participants
Orthodox Jurisdictions Represented
Growing Beyond Expectations
TiM originally planned to support approximately 20 groups.
Today, 28 groups are active, and the ministry continues to grow.
7 groups have now been meeting for more than five years.
This October, 5 new facilitators will be trained to help make additional groups possible.
%
of clergy participants report that their TiM groups have energized them for ministry in the long term.
Ministry Is Not Meant to Be Lived Alone
Each Thriving in Ministry group receives approximately 20 hours of professionally facilitated peer learning each year, along with shared meals and an annual participant-designed gathering.
These communities give priests and clergy wives a trusted place to speak openly, pray together, learn from one another, and gain perspective from people who understand the realities of ministry.
Some of these relationships have endured for years.
12 currently active groups began between 2020 and 2022, during the pandemic. Some began virtually and later transitioned to meeting in person.
The Impact Goes Beyond the Group
Stronger relationships support healthier clergy, healthier families, and healthier parish life.
What Your Gift Makes Possible
TiM budgets approximately $5,000 each year for every in-person peer group, supporting professionally facilitated gatherings, shared meals, and an annual participant-designed session.
Additional program expenses support facilitator training, staff coordination, travel, outreach, and the broader work needed to sustain and grow the ministry.
Monthly gifts are especially valuable because they provide dependable support as existing groups continue and new groups are formed.
$1,000
Helps Sustain a Thriving in Ministry Group
Supports peer learning, fellowship, facilitated conversation, and the ongoing work of a TiM community.
$2,500
Provides Half of a Group’s Direct Annual Budget
Helps provide the resources needed for facilitated gatherings throughout the year.
$5,000
Covers the Direct Annual Budget of One In-Person Group
Provides a full year of direct group support.
The Value of Trusted Community
Supporting Thriving in Ministry creates an impact that extends far beyond each peer group.
Help the Church Carry This Ministry Forward
Support from Lilly Endowment helped the Office of Pastoral Life build, launch, and expand Thriving in Ministry.
Today, the ministry has grown beyond its original expectations.
Your support helps sustain the communities already serving priests and clergy wives while creating opportunities for new groups to form.
When Clergy Thrive, Parishes Flourish.
Help us reach our $60,000 goal and give more priests and clergy wives the opportunity to experience the gift of trusted community.