Nothing happens unless
first we dream.
- Carl Sandburg
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Today
is the first day of fall. Fall is SIM's season to do what it has been doing
since its founding in 1857-ensuring our Church has educated and trained
ordained leadership. For 153 years we have helped fund seminary education
of people seeking ordination. This week we begin fall visits to our grant
recipients, 80 at nine Episcopal seminaries and six at bishop-approved theological
education at non-Episcopal divinity schools. Our students
represent 48 dioceses of the 101 in The Episcopal Church (TEC). Have you ever wondered from where future ordained leaders will come? Do ordained leaders just show up when needed? Or, does God expect us to do our part? Tom Peters, highly regarded advisor to business, author of the bestselling book, In Search of Excellence, and CEO of the Tom Peters Company, offers an "Excellence Audit" to organizations seeking to achieve excellence. A primary question of Peters' audit -- "Is the organization focused on finding, nurturing and making the most of the talent it needs?" -- should give Episcopalians pause.The gap between increasing seminary costs and diminishing resources to cover theological education expenses presents a daunting challenge for the future of the Church. Frequently costs, especially in light of average entry compensation levels, determine whether a person can or will attend seminary. Often seminarians assume additional education debt on top of undergraduate debt. Burden of debt will affect one's ministry well beyond seminary, and everyone loses. Are we doing our part in finding, nurturing and making the most of the talent our parishes need? In order for our Church to attract and educate the best future leaders, we need your help and that of hundreds of other Episcopalians. You can do your part by joining SIM's ministry.
- First, please SIM Boldly
go to www.simministry.org and join the "$18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends" .
You can sign up for a monthly giving plan of $18.57 (or the amount of your choosing) or make a onetime gift to "invest in future ordained leaders to serve The Episcopal Church."
Second, please help us glean e-mail addresses by forwarding this eCall to your strategic thinking Episcopalian friends for them to contact us at: info@simministry.org.
Third, we need your multiplier help to spread the word. Let's do the math to comprehend the potential of our grass roots campaign.
$18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends Income Potential:
· 705,000 = TEC's Average Sunday Attendance for 2008
· 2.5% sign up = 17,625
· 17,625 x $18.57 x 12 = $3.9 million annually for seminarian support
Such support has been unimaginable in TEC. Baby steps have been taken. For the very first time the 2009 General Convention voted funding support for seminarians -- $200,000 over three years. This year SIM with a portion of that support granted almost $250,000 in scholarships - the highest award total in our 153 year history! Now it's time to dream.
SIM invites YOU to make something happen!
Imagine the impact of a successful
$18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends!!!!
Please think about the importance of ordained leadership in the future and the need to pay for seminary education today.
SIM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and your donation is fully tax deductible.
Faithfully,
Tom Moore
Executive Director
SIM
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