For Immediate Release
The United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey (GNJ) has received $750,000 from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to further develop the Bridges program within the GNJ and Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) Conferences. This program seeks to help congregations bridge the gap between the demographics of the church and those of the broader community, as congregational leaders spend time understanding who they are, who their neighbors are, and how they connect. Over an 18-month process, participating congregations engage in experiential learning focused on intercultural experiences, storytelling, small group reflection, art, and intentional opportunities for joy.
In 2020, GNJ received a nearly $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment to launch Bridges. That grant and the new funding were made through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. The aim of the national initiative is to strengthen Christian congregations so they can help people deepen their relationships with God, build strong relationships with each other and contribute to the flourishing of local communities and the world.
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi expressed her gratitude for the grant, stating, “We are grateful to the Lilly Endowment for partnering with the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference as both EPA and GNJ work to strengthen the relationships local churches have with their surrounding communities. This grant validates the work that has been done by the Bridges program and helps us to move forward to expand our impact in local communities with greater relevance and effectiveness.”
To find out more, visit the Bridges project webpage
or contact Alyssa Ruch at aruch@gnjumc.org.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
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 and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. 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 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.