Updated March, 2025
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Worship Renewal Grants Program
Last year we listed the eleven recipients out of 250 applicants in the first year of the Worship Renewal Grants Program (RW 55, p. 46) offered by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW). The overwhelming response to that program—both in the number and quality of applications—resulted in a substantial supplemental grant from the Lilly Endowment to expand the grants program. Therefore, in the second year of the program, CICW was pleased to be able to award new grants to 47 churches and organizations. The grants ranged from $5,000 to $15,000.
Once more, the recipients represent many different denominations and organizations across the United States and Canada. For a description of all forty-seven winning grant projects, visit the Institute website: www.calvin.edu/worship.
According to Cindy Holtrop, office manager of CICW, many applicants reported that even the process of preparing a proposal was an excellent exercise. RW subscribers who have been thinking about submitting a proposal are encouraged to do so. For a brochure on how to apply for a Worship Renewal Grant, please contact the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546; 616-957-6088; e-mail: worship@calvin.edu. Or print the brochure from their website: www.calvin.edu/worship. Grant proposals for 2002 must be postmarked by September 1, 2001.
Planning and Leading Congregational Worship,
June 18–21, 2001
All are welcome—seminarians, pastors, worship planners, elders, musicians—to this week-long summer enrichment course offered by Calvin Seminary (for credit or audit). Led by Dr. John Witvliet, the course features worship, lectures, discussion, and practical training. Housing and meals are available at Calvin College. Come as a team from your congregation! For more information visit www.calvin.edu/worship or contact the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 616-957-6088; worship@calvin.edu.
COLAM, July 11-19, 2001
By now all RW subscribers should have received a brochure about the upcoming conference to be held in Wheaton, Illinois, one of the western suburbs of Chicago. If you haven't received a brochure, please check our website: www.reformedworship.org
The conference itself starts on Wednesday evening, July 11, with a hymn festival; we’ve scheduled that opening event for Edman Chapel at Wheaton College, and we hope to hear the brand-new world class Casavant organ to be installed this spring. The rest of the sessions will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton.
Four plenary speakers are scheduled. We’re delighted that John Bell is returning to COLAM; anyone who attended COLAM 95 will certainly remember this “modern-day John the Baptist” (see the interview in RW 27; also check out the Iona Community’s website: ionacomm@gla.iona.org.uk). Another plenary speaker will be Marty Haugen, who was interviewed in RW 58. For those interested in drama, Dennis Dewey will proclaim Scripture from memory; his full-time ministry is to make the biblical stories come alive. We also we look forward to hearing John Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, speak to us. See the exciting Institute news about the Worship Renewal Grants Program on page **.
Check the brochure for information about scholarships for high school and college students as well as a composition contest.
There will be many workshops and time for good fellowship. But the heart of COLAM has become our worship together. Twenty years ago these conferences began with the vision of offering full worship services throughout the conference as a way for pastors and other worship leaders to have the privilege of sitting in the pews and being nourished, receiving the gift of God’s grace in word and song. This year as well we will begin and end each day with worship. Come to be nourished and equipped in your ministry of following Christ and leading others to him in your home churches.
Be sure to talk among all your musicians, visual artists, drama team members, and pastors—registration is reduced when four or more people come from one congregation. Come as a team; some of the best learning happens when groups from one congregation share and discuss together what they are learning and experiencing.
See you at COLAM 2001!