The Fund for Leaders and the ELCA Foundation are pleased to announce the establishment of the A. Craig Settlage Memorial Scholarship Fund.  The fund is intended as an expression of thanksgiving, stewardship and commitment to seminary education by supporting men and women pursuing their call to the ministry of word and sacrament.  The scholarship will benefit first-career seminarians.

Former Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson writes about his friend and colleague.  “Pastor Craig Settlage’s entire ministry was centered in his proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and in his deep commitment to a vibrant church engaged in God’s mission.  For Craig that meant that we always will be growing ministries as he did with Savior Divine in Palos Hills, Illinois.  He also believed God can do far more when we are a church working together be that in responding to human suffering, raising up leaders, accompanying global companion churches or renewing existing ministries.  How fitting that one way we can continue to build upon Craig’s ministry is by supporting the Fund for Leaders in Mission scholarship in his name. Pastor Settlage was clear that the church needs leaders schooled in theological disciplines, adaptive to changing ministry contexts who are faithful and generous stewards with a love for Christ’s Church. Craig modeled such commitments in his ministry.  One expression of our gratitude to God for Craig is our support of the Fund for Leaders scholarship in his honor.”

Rev. Mark Bernthal, member of the Advisory Table for Fund for Leaders and pastor to Craig and Rachel Settlage in Florida, writes: “Craig served as an exceptionally astute and creative leader of the church and was a pastor, mentor, and friend to many. How wonderfully appropriate that Rachel, his partner in ministry, should establish a named scholarship in Craig’s memory that will work for generations to come in raising up pastoral leaders with parallel gifts. The ELCA Fund for Leaders gives thanks to God for Craig’s legacy of ministry, gratefully rejoices in Rachel’s generosity, and celebrates the gifts that are sure to follow in honor of Craig.”

You can contribute to this fund!  Make checks out to “ELCA Endowment Fund” and include on the Memo/For line “A. Craig Settlage Scholarship Fund.”

Mail checks to:

EFPT Receipts

P.O. Box 1806

Merrifield VA  22116-8002

You can find more information about the Fund For Leaders by going to:

http://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Leadership/ELCA-Fund-for-Leaders

For more information about establishing memorial endowment funds and other gift planning options, contact your Regional Gift Planner by calling 800-638-3522, or visiting http://www.elca.org/Give/ELCA-Foundation/Regional-Gift-Planners.

In Florida and Region 9 please contact:

Rev. Ana L. Lugo

904-219-2769

Ana.Lugo @ ELCA.org