There was good news and bad news for
SIM
in Indianapolis at General Convention. The bad news: seminarian scholarship funding achieved at the 2009 General Convention was eliminated for the upcoming 2013-2015 triennium. The historic seminarian support from The Episcopal Church (TEC) was short-lived. Our needs-based scholarships for Episcopal seminarians will be affected. Indeed, bad news for our "SIMinarians."
The good news is SIM's support for seminarians, though affected, is not dependent on General Convention funding. In relation to SIM's 155 year old mission of supporting future ordained leaders, TEC's triennial assistance was appreciated but limited. Elimination of seminarian support at the national level only bolstered our resolve and affirmed the importance of SIM's ministry.
Other good news included:
- Over 400 Episcopalians visited our booth at General Convention with many "awed and inspired" by our Circle of Seminarian Friends "5% solution" [IF ONLY 5% of worshiping Episcopalians joined the Circle at our suggested $18.57 MONTHLY DONATION, SIM could cover the tuition for ALL Episcopal seminarians].
- Our sponsorship at the Episcopal Church Women's triennial meeting increased awareness of SIM's important ministry across a broad and key audience who care deeply about the future of the church.
- An exciting new initiative - the "Mercer Challenge"- to work with bishops to offer merit scholarships for recruiting those called to ordained leadership was announced in partnership with the Mercer Fund of the Diocese of Long Island and noted in House of Bishop floor discussions by The Rt. Rev. Lawrence Provenzano, Bishop of Long Island.
- SIM's involvement was sought in discussions focused on delivery of theological education, training and formation in effective, efficient and resourceful ways for today's environment.
- Appreciation and commitment was expressed by many SIM alumni who visited and met with us and three of this year's SIMinarians who helped staff the SIM booth.
SIM believes in the importance of investing in the education, training and formation of future ordained leaders for our church. According to those who look at theological education from a "big picture" perspective, investing in future leaders is not only for the church. Regarding the objectives of the Mercer Challenge, the Rt. Rev. Arthur Walmsley, retired Bishop of Connecticut, commented:
"As the Episcopal Church is consumed by distracting issues instead of its primary calling to proclaim and live the 'missio dei' [God's mission], it is losing an influential voice in our country and the world. This loss will be worse unless we do something innovative. Innovation requires leadership. We need strong leaders if the church is to respond to the challenges of a new century and new conditions."
SIM is committed to the future of the church through the formation of clergy who can lead the people of God in all the challenges and opportunities that the world puts in front of God's people and God's church. Will you join us on this great journey of faith?
Faithfully,
Tom Moore
Executive Director
SIM
