
Welcome to the Participating Congregations Page!
The Nourishing Vocation Project accompanies congregations in a learning community model of engagement. The congregations are formed into Cohorts.
Cohort 1 includes five ElCA congregations from three states – Illinois, Texas, and Minnesota. Cohort 1 began in July 2022.
Cohort 2 includes nine congregations from four denominations – ELCA, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, and United Methodist. They come from five states – North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Cohort 2 began in January 2023.
Cohort 3 includes nine congregations from two denominations – ELCA and United Methodist. They come from four states – Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Nebraska.
Click on the links below to learn more about the participating congregations.
NVP Congregations

Please click on the drop-down boxes to learn more about the congregations participating in the Nourishing Vocation Project.
Illinois
Minnesota
Denomination: ELCA SWMN Synod
Address: 1200 4th Ave, Worthington, MN 56187
Denomination: ELCA SEMN Synod
Address: 7525 Garfield Ave, Lonsdale, MN 55046
Texas
Denomination: ELCA NTNL
Address: 800 N New Road, Waco, TX 76710
Denomination: ELCA NTNL
Address: 1333 Beltline Rd, Garland, TX 75040
Minnesota
Denomination: ELCA SPA Synod
Address: 2499 Helen St N, St Paul, MN 55109
St. Olaf College Student Congregation
Denomination: ELCA _ SE MN
Address: 1520 St Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057
Denomination: ELCA – NWMN
Address: 205 S. Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716
Wesley United Methodist Church
Denomination: United Methodist
Address: 701 Eickhof Blvd, Crookston, MN 56716
Denomination: Presbyterian
Address: 510 N Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716
Oklahoma
Ohio
Denomination: UCC
Address: 51 W. Central Ave., Delaware, OH 43015
Denomination: UMC
South Dakota
Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer
Denomination: ELCA SD Synod
Address: 2001 Second Street NW, Watertown, South Dakota 57201
North Carolina
Cobles Evangelical Lutheran Church
Denomination: ELCA – NC Synod
Address: 5200 Coble Church Rd, Julian, NC 27283
Illinois
Denomination: ELCA NIL Synod
Address: 380 W 3rd Ave, Woodhull, Illinois, 61490
Denomination: ELCA NIL Synod
Address: 364 E Water Street, Galesburg IL 61401
Denomination: ELCA Metro Chicago Synod
Address: 1124 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
Denomination: United Methodist
Address: 211 N School St, Normal, IL 61761
Denomination: ELCA
Address: 2700 W Stephenson St, Freeport, IL 61032
Indiana
Denomination: ELCA Indiana Kentucky Synod
Address: 201 N. Washington St. Valparaiso, IN 46383
Minnesota
Denomination: ELCA SE Minnesota Synod
Address: 1321 North Avenue, Northfield, MN, 55057
Nebraska
Michigan
Pennsylvania
First Evangelical Lutheran
Denomination: ELCA
Address: 615 Cowpath Road, Montgomeryville, PA
South Dakota

Testimonials
“What we find exciting and energizing is that this is not just another strategy pulled from the secular world, or a list of necessary tasks to complete, or a “10-step program for growth.” It is entirely rooted in a Spiritual practice returning us to the core of what discernment truly is.” Pr. Sue Leibnitz – Trondhjem Lutheran Church
“We were drawn to this program because we are at a launching-off point within the history of the church. Post-pandemic our congregation doesn’t look the same. We grieved as many of our beloved saints died over that two year time, but we rejoice as we welcomed back members who weren’t active for a long time as well as welcomed new members. The Spirit is moving with a renewed sense of energy at St. Matthew. Our hope with the NVP is to channel that energy as we walk with the Holy Spirit into the future.” Pr. Kelsey Fitting-Snyder – St. Matthew Lutheran Church.
Congregational Planning Resources

Please see the Phase 2 materials below
- We Discern Outline
- Basic Outline with Explanations
- The Called Life. Ministry on Purpose for the Common Good
- VOCARE Congregational Reflection
- Discerning Our Values – Resourcing Conversation Process Guide
- Values Template
- My Living Faith
- Parish Gathering 1: Where have we been? Worksheet
- Parish Gathering 2: Where are we now? Worksheet
- Distinguishing Technical and Adaptive Work
- Near and Nows and Engaging The Living Words for Phase 2

Values: Project & Reflection Worksheet
This section is focused on values and will help you find, narrow down, and focus and reflect on what your values are. Doing this can help us live more intentionally and purposefully.