News Detail

The New Dreams-New Visions (NDNV) Coordinating Committee has chosen 5 new dioceses to join the NDNV Pilot Project, bringing the total number of participating dioceses to 14.

NDNV is a pilot project that connects vital, retired clergy with vibrant, small worshipping communities.

"The dioceses recently added to the pilot project offer us an opportunity to explore a deeper range of both potential clergy availability and parish and diocesan contexts,” notes the Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard, Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of East Carolina and member of the NDNV Coordinating Committee. “We're excited to have the opportunity to add their feedback, wisdom and experience to this pilot, as we seek to find fresh ways to develop and support parish leadership, both lay and clergy."

The Rev. Canon Anne Reed, Canon for Mission in the Diocese of Southern Ohio adds, “We are very excited; this has such great potential.”

The 5 new participating dioceses are: the Diocese of East Tennessee, the Diocese of Kansas, the Diocese of Indianapolis, the Diocese of Massachusetts, and the Diocese of Southern Ohio. Additionally joining the pilot are the dioceses of Iowa, Spokane and the Anglican Diocese of Southeast Mexico.

Thousands of priests will be eligible to retire within the next few years, yet still feel called to minister in new ways. At the same time, more and more family, or pastoral sized congregations or faith communities, with an average Sunday attendance of 140 or less, are unable to support a full-time priest. This is an opportunity for NDNV to help clergy and congregations explore new models of leadership and ministry.

NDNV is a collaborative effort of the Church Pension Group, the Episcopal Church Center, and the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) working closely with the CREDO Institute and Fresh Start.

For more information visit www.EpiscopalNewDreams.org or contact the Rev. Thaddeus Bennett, Pilot Project Coordinator at NDNV@svcable.net or 802-365-7269.