Awaken Dane is a creative initiative forged among four organizations committed to advance thriving churches in Dane County.

Funded by a five-year grant of $999,990 from the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative, Awaken Dane aims to strengthen and equip local Christian congregations to better serve their diverse communities.

Managing the grant is the Wisconsin Council of Churches, a statewide organization with a long history of ecumenical engagement, led by Rev. Kerri Parker. Partner organizations include: Collaboration Project, led by Rev. Jon Anderson; University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, represented by Rev. Dr. Christopher James; and the Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation, led by Dr. John Terrill.

As many as 40 congregations of diverse Christian traditions participate in a cohort experience intended to awaken participants to God’s call, form life-giving friendships and partnerships, and fuel love and understanding of the places we abide.