December 11, 2006, New York, NY – Today the Episcopal Church Foundation announced a call for applications to its newly recreated ECF Fellowship Partners Program.

“Building upon a heritage of more than 40 years of supporting theological scholarship, our new Fellowship Partners Program is intended to develop and nurture lay and clergy leaders to empower people at the congregational grassroots levels for mission and ministry,” explained Donald V. Romanik, President of the Episcopal Church Foundation. “We are especially pleased,” he added, “that we will now be able to award both academic and transformational ministry fellowships, and that applications will be accepted from candidates throughout the Episcopal Church and the global Anglican Communion”.

Antoinette (Toni) Daniels, Director of Learning & Leadership at the Foundation, will oversee the program. “One of the key components of the new program is that it will be a true partnership,” she said. “Fellows will share their knowledge, experience and best practices with the wider Church in practical ways, be it some form of service, publications, workshops, or presentations.” Ms. Daniels went on to stress that special consideration would be given to candidates working in locations with limited resources or among underserved communities, and to those engaged in a course of study with the potential to impact congregations, address a recognized shortage area, or is one in which the Episcopal Church needs to develop expertise.

A transformational ministry is considered to be one that is at the grassroots or congregational level, and one which will change individuals, groups, or communities in positive ways, impacting their ability to see and use God’s gifts, bringing them into a closer relationship with God. Transformational ministries will bring about measurable change and should serve as models that can be used in different settings. Examples include, but are not limited to, pilot projects in an emerging area of congregational development, adaptations of existing programs in new locations, or the development and testing of resources designed for congregational or community use.

The application deadline for the ECF Fellowship Partners Program is March 15, 2007.  Full details about the Fellowship awards, eligibility, application requirements, and online applications can be found on the Foundation's website at:  ECF Fellowship Partners Program