ALEXANDRIA — First Congregational United Church of Christ of Alexandria has received a grant of $50,000 to enable its minister, the Rev. Dr. Jill Sanders, to participate in the 2025 National Clergy Renewal Program.

First Congregational United Church of Christ is one of 200 congregations across the United States selected to participate in this competitive grant program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.

Established by the Endowment in 2000, the program’s grants allow Christian congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.

Ministers whose congregations are awarded the grants use their time away from the demands of daily ministry to pur

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