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Excellence in Ministry, Unleashed (EMU)

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Creating Congregational Cultures of Generosity

The EMU.NJ (Excellence in Ministry, Unleashed) initiative was established in 2016 as part of the Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders.  We seek to support gift of ministry that rostered leaders provide in service to our Lord Jesus Christ through the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Over the course of the funding initiative, EMU.NJ has provided assistance in retiring Student Load Debt, meeting unexpected expenses related to the Covid pandemic, offered incentives for retirement savings, and financial literacy training for both pastors and congregations.

Although we are in the final phase of our external funding, our work to provide tools for informed financial decisions continues. Check out the excellent collection of resources that remains available on our Research, Networks and Resources page, and look to our Coming Events page for the latest offerings.

1930 State Highway 33

Hamilton Square, NJ 08690

609-586-6800

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© 2025 New Jersey Synod, ELCA
All rights reserved.

“Our synod office is located on land which is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; and the Powhatan Renape Nation, The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware, and the Lenape of Cheswold Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgment of the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland, we affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”

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