Author

Melanie Ave

Communications manager, Concordia Seminary St. Louis

Melanie Ave is the communications manager for Concordia Seminary St. Louis. Before that, she was communications director for Smile Squared and a writer, editor and social media coordinator for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. She was a journalist for 18 years, working for newspapers in Oklahoma, Texas and Florida.

Work and prayer

By Melanie Ave Communications manager, Concordia Seminary St. Louis

Trappist monks become entrepreneurs. Brothers at a monastery in Missouri run a business enterprise while also dedicating their lives to God.

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.

Learn More