- Mission and Goals
Churches' Center for Land and People is an ecumenical organization that brings together churches, groups, and individuals to strengthen rural life and ministry in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.
CCLP fosters unity and hope in a spirit of renewal, earth stewardship, justice, and shared commitment. We serve as a voice for rural perspectives and concerns in our churches and society.
As Churches, organizations and individuals, together we:
- Benefit from the knowledge, skills, and good will of multiple perspectives:
educational, ecclesial, political, social, civic, business
- Sponsors and Patrons
| Church judicatories, religious orders and other organizations share in the co-sponsorship of CCLP. Sponsors give financial support and participate in the direction, fiscal planning, programming, witness, and voice of this organization. Sponsors are represented on the Board, which also includes at large members of grassroots organizations. |
Archdiocese of Dubuque, IA
Diocese of Madison
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, LaCrosse, WI
Iowa Annual Conference, UMC
New Melleray Abbey
Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA
Sinsinawa Dominicans, Sinsinawa, WI
Sisters of Charity, BVM, Dubuque, IA
Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque IA
Sisters of the Presentation, Dubuque, IA
South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA
Southeastern Synod of Iowa, ELCA
The Presbytery of East Iowa
Wisconsin Conference of the UCC, Inc
Wisconsin Conference, UMC
Wisconsin Farmers Union
Humane Society of the United States
Patrons
Diocese of Green Bay, WI
Diocese of Superior, Superior, WI
Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, Dubuque, IA
Sisters of Mercy, Cedar Rapids, IA
Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, Green Bay, WI
Western Yearly Meeting of Friends, Plainfield, IN
- Staff and Executive Committee
Executive Director: Tony Ends
Office Assistant: Holly Deschenes
Harvest of Hope Partnership Project Coordinators
James Earles, Iowa
Rita Lynes and Holly Deschenes, Wisconsin
Executive Committee:
Chairperson: Patrick Lenane
Vice-Chair: Fr. Bernard Rott
Secretary: Rev. Caroline E. Engelbrecht
Treasurer: Rev. Forrest Wells
At the end of the 80's the "rural crisis" was not over. For many it was deepening. Forty church and organizational leaders of the tri-states (Wis. Iowa, Ill.) came to an invitational meeting at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin in March,1989, to consider the following questions: What are the people of our rural communities experiencing? What impact does this reality have on the churches/organizations you represent? What impact does it have on those who are in leadership in church/rural community groups? What are your needs?
On May 31, 1989, these leaders returned to sign a Call Statement (". . .We covenant to strengthen and build upon our common bonds".) They authorized the incorporation of "The Churches' Center for Land and People" and formed a Steering Committee. This committee, representing both churches and grassroots organizations, put a framework on the organization, identifying its program areas and organizing its governance. In July of 1990, before a formal body of representatives, they presented By-Laws for approval and issued the first invitation to "Sponsorship." In its history, CCLP has stayed true to its close-to-the-ground beginnings, attuned to "rural realities" and alert to possibilities and hope. |
Since 1989, CCLP's sponsors and networks have:
Brought together multi-level forums around topics of:
* sustainability of land
* families
* communities and spirit
* spiritual- ethical decision making in creating "the new rural community"
* the Christian challenge of hope
* church presence in changing times.
Modeled ecumenism, collaboration, and community-building: in sponsorship structures for policy and decision-making; broad involvement in financial support; program development, networks and outreach.
Diminished isolation and strengthened commitment by identifying and bringing together people who share compassion and are creating newness; keeping them connected through annual gatherings and on-going opportunities to be involved in projects together.
Increased church visibility in rural life and concerns through publishing a contemplative/active newsletter for almost 2000 homes, churches, agencies five times a year; conducting an annual person-to person phonathon; engaging people in retreats, workshops, and conferences in church, organizational, and community settings; responding to specific concerns: convener of disaster-responders in the flood of '93; pastoral letter to churches regarding the activity of extremist/scam groups; support of rural grassroots efforts for fair milk pricing; pastoral conferences regarding the new farm bill and qustions of the "common good."
Strengthened denominational ministry through orienting workshops for clerical and lay leaders; convening rural directors and task groups for support and resource exchange; provision of prayers and reflective tools appropriate to rural settings; presence to church-body assemblies and congregational life; offering of workshops, retreats conferences for clergy and for parishioners.
CCLP has been a consistent community of hope that loves land and people, acts with eyes open and spirit of integrity; gives with generosity and sings with Jeremiah about fire in our bones.