On Page 445 of the Book of Common Prayer it reads in the liturgy for the Thanksgiving for a Child:

...the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well-being of their families, and all persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses. 

One such prudent man was a dedicated Episcopal layman showing his strong faith by leaving a bequest of $100,000 to the Society for the Increase of the Ministry.  He believed it was critical to the church's future to help and encourage those who feel called to serve the Episcopal Church as ordained leaders.  The Society has provided such support for over 150 years to men and women studying for the ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.

SIM's goal remains as established at a meeting of seven clergy and one layman at Trinity College in Hartford in 1857.  This visionary group formed SIM "to find suitable young [people] for the Episcopal ministry and aid them in acquiring a thorough education."  Receipt of the recent bequest is equivalent to the gift of the layman of 150 years ago - farsighted support for the future ordained leadership of the Episcopal Church.  SIM is grateful for  both men's legacy of devotion and vision. 
 
Leaving a legacy to support future ordained leadership in the Episcopal Church can be as easy as

1. Make a valid will.
2. Include SIM as a charitable beneficiary.
3. Let SIM know of your Gift Planning and be invited to join the 1857 Society of those who have included SIM in their estate planning.  

Our button (pictured below) was a big hit at General Convention. One way to "SIM Boldly" is to include SIM in one's estate planning.

For more information please call, e-mail or visit SIM's web site. 

• 860/233-1732
• contactandinfo@simministry.org
• www.simministry.org