It is hard to imagine that the founders of an organization to "aid suitable persons in acquiring a thorough education for the ministry of The Episcopal Church" could have foreseen the significance of their endeavor.  For 153 years the Society for the Increase of the Ministry (SIM) has been a force for Episcopal ordained leadership.  Of the almost 5,000 seminarians who have benefited from that visionary investment, many have become bishops (26% of today's bishops received a SIM grant), rectors, deans, priests, professors and chaplains.  One SIM alumnus did not get to fill any of these roles - but is recognized on the Episcopal Church Calendar of saints and martyrs.

As a SIM-supported seminarian at Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts [now Episcopal Divinity School], Jonathan Myrick Daniels risked it all to follow an internal calling to join Martin Luther King's march in Selma, Alabama to secure voting rights for all citizens. How beautifully Jonathan's response matches author Reverend Frederick Buechner's description of the ordained ministry: "... a risky as well as holy trade."

On August 14, 1965, Jonathan, along with other marchers was arrested and jailed for "disturbing the peace."  Because of the jailed marchers' pact to refuse release unless all were freed, Jonathan rejected offers of bail money from friends and clergy.  After six days of incarceration the marchers were released and ordered to leave town. As Jonathan and Ruby Sales, a 16 year old African American girl, were walking in obedience to the order, a local man, cursing and threatening Ruby, raised his 12-gauge shotgun. Risking it all, Jonathan deliberately positioned his life - present and future - in front of Ruby's.  The angry blast, heard around the world, instantly killed Jonathan Myrick Daniels. 

Of Jonathan's witness Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, "Certainly there are no incidents more beautiful in the annals of Church history.  Jonathan had a promising life ... cut so short by this brutal and bestial deed, but the meaning of life was so fulfilled in his death that few people in our time will know such fulfillment or meaning."  In 1991, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church voted to enter the name of Jonathan Myrick Daniels, seminarian and witness for Civil Rights, on the calendar of saints and martyrs. August 14th is Jonathan's liturgical day. 

SIM's mission to invest in future ordained leaders to serve The Episcopal Church cannot be more fulfilled than in our grant to Jonathan.  In his letter recommending Jonathan to SIM, a lifelong family friend wrote, "... perhaps no individual reaching such a decision [to pursue the ministry] does it without considerable search of mind and soul.  I really can see this young man emerging as a powerful force in the church, one who can be depended upon to be a good leader."  Jonathan's mark of leadership came in the moment that shall forever permeate the American story.

SIM realizes the ongoing necessity of preparing and developing leaders for the future of The Episcopal Church.  Consider the importance of our mission and yours. Please take the opportunity to invest in SIM's ministry. Your contribution makes possible the impact of SIM's support of seminarians like Jonathan Myrick Daniels.

Donations by check can be sent to:  
The Society for the Increase of the Ministry (or SIM)
924 Farmington Avenue, Suite 100, West Hartford, CT 06107
 
Or by credit card via our web site www.simministry.org for one time gifts or "donor friendly" recurring donations through SIM's $18.57 Circle of Friends.

SIM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and your donation is fully tax deductible.

SIM and our seminarians thank you.


Faithfully,

Tom Moore
Executive Director
SIM