ONE YOUNG LEADER’S JOURNEY Through a variety of experiences at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., Helen Kyle graduated with a heart for servant leadership, specifically in nonprofit work. She was able to cultivate her yearning with a campaign- funded internship at Ecumen, a senior services organization in Shoreview, Minn., that aims to create a home for older adults and change the way society thinks about aging. “The ELCA campaign allowed me to start my career in philanthropy
by funding my internship with Ecumen,” she said. “I can’t stress enough how essential it is for recent graduates to have the opportunity to explore a variety of careers while also receiving compensation.” Kyle’s internship helped her confirm that the nonprofit sector was the
right vocational path for her. After impressing colleagues with her good work, Ecumen offered Kyle a full-time position with its philanthropy team as development specialist. Now she can continue to pursue her passions and develop into a leader who will make an impact in her community.
Common Ground Recovery Community
VITAL NEW MINISTRIES Led by Tom Scornavacchi, Common Ground Recovery Ministry is one new congregation that has benefited from the Campaign for the ELCA (see also page 22). With campaign funds, what was originally a local congregation’s small, once-a-month program has become three separate, growing ministries in Pennsylvania—in Wyomissing, Reading and Douglassville. Initially, Common Ground was an addiction recovery program
using space at Atonement Lutheran, Wyomissing, and aimed to join that congregation for worship and community. Now it’s a completely independent and fully functioning congregation, gathering weekly with 50 to more than 100 for worship. “Without the campaign funding, Common Ground couldn’t have
existed the way it does today. It would have remained a small program within the church. Now it is able to flourish,” said Scornavacchi, an ELCA pastor who is also a recovering addict. While the ministry still focuses on reaching struggling and recovering
addicts, it also attracts those living in poverty or who have previously been hurt by the church. The program in Reading, for example, is a meal ministry for individuals and families impacted by addiction, poverty and food scarcity. The service, which welcomes 60 or more for worship each week, uses the dinner meal as the eucharist celebration.
Camp-ABLE is another new
ministry whose work would not be possible without the campaign— it’s a recipient of the disability ministries fund. Held at Joy Ranch near Watertown, S.D., the camp was formed to serve youth with disabilities. “I feel a strong sense of call
from God to do ministry with people who have disabilities,” said Brian Krause, pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Ohio. Krause, who has cerebral palsy,
led Bible studies for campers at Camp-ABLE its first summer. “The smile on the kids’ faces at camp reminds me just how important the work of sharing the good news with people with disabilities is.”
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