What could your congregation accomplish with a little extra help? Whether you’re looking for fresh ideas for community outreach, need help navigating church finances, or want to find Advent faith formation resources, a partnership between the NC Synod’s Heilig Resource Center (HRC) and Practical Resources for Churches (PRC) puts a wealth of resources within reach.

At Emmanuel Lutheran Church in High Point, Kathie Petry found herself taking on additional financial responsibilities when the congregation’s longtime treasurer became seriously ill and could no longer manage the role. The transition involved a host of challenges, including transferring accounts and moving from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.

That’s where PRC’s Charlaine Aspsel came in. She helped set up the congregation’s budget in QuickBooks, providing frequent guidance and expertise Petry says she wouldn’t have had on her own. “What has been my favorite thing about the experience,” Petry says, “is Aspel’s patience, good humor, and availability.” She continues, “Finance doesn’t have the spiritualness of some other facets of ministry, but we all know its importance. By being responsible stewards of our finances, we are able to do more in other areas of our ministry.”

The assistance has been so valuable that the congregation has not had to hire a bookkeeper.

At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Mount Holly, Susan Eaker has found a different kind of support through PRC’s Beyond the Pew cohort. The experience prompted the congregation to rethink its annual Blessing of the Animals, changing the event’s day, time, and format. The new approach has already begun attracting a broader response from the community.

Both experiences illustrate the range of ways PRC can support congregational ministry—from behind-the-scenes financial stewardship to building relationships beyond the church’s walls.

Since February 2026, congregations across the synod have downloaded more than $5,000 worth of resources at no cost to them, and more than 75 congregation leaders have participated in PRC’s online workshops. While those numbers definitely represent actual materials and training, they also show possibility and partnership.

This particular partnership grew out of the Heilig Resource Center’s longstanding commitment to providing congregations with current, useful resources. As director Catherine Fink explains, the ways congregations access those resources have changed dramatically over the years—from 16mm films mailed out weekly for Sunday school to today’s digital learning opportunities and online tools.

Fink has known PRC for decades and has watched the organization adapt to meet the changing needs of congregations. Originally focused on in-person consultations, PRC has expanded its offerings to include online workshops, leadership training, ministry resources, and personalized consulting.

Through the synod’s subscription, congregations receive free access to PRC webinars, monthly lectionary curriculum, an online book club, and a children’s ministry cohort. They can also request training on topics important to their ministry, consult with experts, and access resources from PRC’s online store at no cost. Additional opportunities, including leadership training and technology assistance, are available at significant discounts.

For Fink, the partnership also brings new life to the original vision of the Heilig family’s endowment:* making current resources available to congregations throughout the synod.

“It is most exciting,” she says, “to see congregations take advantage of opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.”

Whether your congregation needs a fresh perspective, a little technical assistance, or a new resource for ministry, there’s a good chance PRC can help. Explore the opportunities available through the synod’s Heilig Resource Center and discover what this partnership can make possible for your congregation.

*The Heilig Resource Center (HRC) was established in 1955 as the synod’s lending library, initially providing congregations with access to three 16mm copies of the 1953 Oscar-nominated film Martin Luther. In 1982, longtime synod treasurer Charles S. Heilig established the Heilig Fund in memory of family members who had also served as synod treasurers. He designated the interest income from his initial $10,000 gift for the purchase of “current media resources.” Following his death, the synod’s executive board added a $30,000 grant in his memory. For more than 70 years, the fund has helped the HRC provide current resources to congregations and leaders throughout the synod. Thanks be to God for Mr. Heilig’s generosity and for the gifts of those who have continued that legacy!

Your faithful Mission Support giving also helps maintain the ministry of the HRC, providing equipment, supplies, software, postage, and more. Thank you!