Iona School of WNC awarded Locally Grown Leaders Grant
- Diocese of WNC
- May 21
- 1 min read
The Iona School of WNC has been awarded the Locally Grown Leaders Grant by the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest, made possible by the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative. Our diocese will receive a grant of $25,000 per year for the next five years, along with site visits and personalized support from the Locally Grown Leaders staff team, to create and implement lay leader certifications in worship and preaching, collaborate with the Disaster Response Team in the creation of a church wide certificate focused on community organization for Disaster Response and Critical Incidents, and implement tools and resources to make Iona WNC more accessible.
The Iona WNC deans, the Rev. Pam Bright, the Rev. Anita Ware, and the Rev. Richard Biega are honored that Iona WNC has been awarded the grant and look forward to working alongside Diocesan Formation leaders, the Canon to Ordinary, and small church leaders, to provide educational opportunities for lay leadership that will increase the vitality and sustainability of smaller congregations.

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