Nelson and his wife, Kathy, will spend two months in Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Canada, as well as one month in the United States studying the ancient tradition of sacro desco or “sacred table.”
Dean will be re-discovering hospitality through the biblical, religious and cultural perspectives.
Nelson hopes to be able to bring the traditions of sacro desco to the Covenant church and northern Minnesota upon his return.
Craig Dykstra, endowment senior vice-president for religion, said the goal of the program is to allow pastors to pursue personal interests and needs in ways that give them a new energy for ministry. “In our religion grant making, we hope to strengthen today’s excellent pastors because it is no secret that pastors who have reconnected themselves to the passions that led them to the ministry in the first place are more likely to lead healthy and vibrant congregations.”
The Bemidji Covenant Church is one of 133 churches nationwide to receive a grant.
