Author

Beth Felker Jones

Professor, Wheaton College

Beth Felker Jones teaches theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., where she lives with her husband and four children. She is the author of “Marks of His Wounds: Gender Politics and Bodily Resurrection” and “Touched by a Vampire: Discovering the Hidden Messages in the Twilight Series.”

Gospel in the dirt

On Ash Wednesday, we can no longer hide the truth about ourselves: that we are God’s creatures, that we are broken, that the spotless and perfect life is a lie, writes Beth Felker Jones.

droplet on a leaf

Apply for a Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grant 

Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship are designed for worshiping communities. These grants allow a wide range of Christian worshiping communities to focus on projects that connect public worship with Christian discipleship and faith formation. Funding awards range from $8,000 to $25,000. 

The grants support year-long projects that show promise in fostering renewed or strengthened worship practices within worshiping communities in the United States or Canada. Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants for teacher-scholars are also available. Applications for the October 15 deadline will open on July 15, 2026.

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