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Massachusetts Council of Churches (MCC), an ecumenical network of 17 Christian denominations, requests a five-year grant to create its Lydia Fellows Program for Thriving Part-Time Ministry, an effort to support part-time (or bi-vocational) clergy in New England by increasing connectivity with other pastors, strengthening their confidence and self-esteem and providing opportunities for professional growth through financially compensated fellowships.  The program will form cohorts of up to 10 part-time pastors each who will meet for two years for retreats, dinners and peer-coaching.  To sustain this effort, MCC will seek support from larger local congregations and work with denominational partners to raise funds to support participating clergy.