Pastor Seeks Spiritual Renewal from Celts, American Indians

A Dunedin pastor recently won a sabbatical grant so she can learn from the ancient Celts and American Indians, according to media reports.

The Rev. Victoria “Vicki” ByRoade, of the , received a $49,470 grant from The Lilly Endowment Inc. for spiritual learning and renewal that it believes will better her congregation. 

ByRoade and her congregation are among 158 religious groups across 40 states that learned in October they would win awards through the Lilly Endowment's National Clergy Renewal Program.

The Dunedin Beacon caught up with ByRoade. Her reaction and plans appeared in a Dec. 29 article.

The Lilly Foundation is a private, Indianapolis-based religion, education and community development endowment. It has funded more than $29 million in awards through the National Clergy Renewal Program since it was founded in 2000, according to the program website.

ByRoade has ministered the First Presbyterian Church of Dunedin on Scotland Street for 12 years, according to the Dunedin Beacon, and will travel to Scotland, Europe and Albuquerque, N.M., from May to September.

Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used to cover the needs of her congregation while she is traveling.

The deadline to submit proposals for consideration for the 2012 National Clergy Renewal Program grants is May 11.