May 20, 2008, New York, NY – The Episcopal Church Foundation has awarded five new grants under the Fellowship Partners Program to: the Rev. Joseph F. Duggan, the Rev. Joseph Hyvenson Joseph, the Rev. Susan Richardson, the Rev. Steven R. Smith, and the Rev. Stephanie Spellers.

ECF’s Fellowship Partners Program includes both academic and transformational ministry grants. With emphasis on the idea of partnership, Fellows are expected to share their knowledge, experience and best practices with the wider Church in practical ways. The Rev. Lynne A. Grifo, ECF Program Director noted, "These are not potential scholars and transformational leaders – they are already persuasive educators and passionate leaders. They are modeling Christ-like action by building bridges that will help TEC embrace anew the meaning of communion."

The new Fellows are engaged in ministries and studies centered around the idea of enhancing multi-cultural competency – that is, the Christian calling to welcome the stranger -- and will have important impact in their communities and beyond.

"Through our programs, products and services, ECF strives not only to strengthen the capacity of individual congregations to pursue their mission and ministry," said Donald V. Romanik, President of the Episcopal Church Foundation, "but to identify, adapt and share effective models and best practices that can be used in many different contexts. Through the work of our Fellows we will be able to empower many Episcopalians to live out the Gospel."

The 2007 recipients included Fellows engaged in work around the Millennium Development Goals, Prison Ministry, and Women’s Empowerment. All three have had their grants renewed for 2008.

For more information about the work of the new ECF Fellows, please click here.