You can help your own cause by promoting the viral growth of the $18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends.

Here's the pitch:

The $18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends has the "jubilee" goal of eliminating the need for seminarian debt, a burden that debilitates one's ministry long after seminary.

The $18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends is a grass roots fundraising program inviting the Episcopalian in the pew (EIP) to join a donor program to support future ordained leaders of The Episcopal Church. The suggested monthly giving amount of $18.57 recognizes SIM's founding year. Donations of any amount, which can be one time or monthly, can be made.       

Funding theological education for those called to the Episcopal priesthood has not come from the national Church but primarily from dioceses and sponsoring parishes and whatever other sources seminarians can muster.  For over 153 years SIM has been a secondary resource by living into its mission to "aid seminarians in acquiring a thorough education" (SIM's charter, 1857).  Over 6000 grants have been given to almost 5000 students.

Once the initial launch work has been carried by you as potential beneficiaries, SIM plans to deploy our alumni network of over 2700 priests across the country. Many alumni have expressed a desire to "payback" SIM and "pay forward" to today's seminarians. Joining the Circle and asking their network of Episcopalians to support an organization that supported them is an economical and impactful way to show gratitude and a considerable opportunity for investing in the future of the Church.

The $18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends will be self-sustaining as it builds on viral growth from the launch.  From a macro perspective, the $18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends has significant potential for impacting the future of the Church.

Revenue potential:

• 705,000 ASA (2008)                      705,000
• 4.0% sign up                                    28,200 EIPs
• 28,200 x $18.57 x 12                     $6.3 Million

Seminarians Annual Tuition Expense

• Current average number of
  seminarians each year                    415
• Average tuition                                 $15,156
• Aggregate Average Annual            $6.3 Million

Romans 13:8 reads: Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another fulfils the law.

Relieving seminarian debt frees priests to carry out their ministries of loving their sheep and building the kingdom of God on earth.  

Nehemiah 10:31 ...and we will forego ... the exaction of every debt.

The $18.57 Circle of Seminarian Friends has the potential to eliminate the need for seminarian debt. 

Thank you for your important role in our BOLD effort. 

SIM Boldly!

Faithfully,