| |
|
"To find suitable persons for the Episcopal ministry and
aid them in acquiring a thorough education"
SIM's founding purpose on October 2, 1857;
our ministry ever since.
|
|
,
Yes, we know this Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. It is also Groundhog Day, when many tune in to the largest Groundhog Day celebration held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. If it is cloudy when the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerges, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, Phil will see its shadow and retreat, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks. As large as these two events are, Episcopalians have a February 2nd event of greater impact. Since 1999, the first Sunday in February has been recognized on the Episcopal Church calendar as Theological Education Sunday.
Many Episcopalians are unaware of the current state of theological education support in the Episcopal Church:
- no funding from the national church;
- minimal adherence to parishes' 1% of operating income for theological education support;
- diminishing seminarian support from sponsoring dioceses and parishes;
- financially stressed seminaries challenged to maintain scholarship aid.
While there is current debate of how to most effectively, efficiently and economically deliver theological education, there is little disagreement that theological education is important to the future of the Church. Vocal and written support for theological education is not hard to find. Financial support is.
SIM and Episcopal seminaries know our reputation for well-educated, well-trained and well-formed ordained leadership cannot be taken for granted. Investing in theological education plays a significant role in determining whether the future of the church is sunny or cloudy. The 5% solution of SIM's "Circle of Seminarian Friends" asks that Episcopalians in the pews (EIPs) make a monthly commitment to SIM of $18.57 (SIM's founding year, 1857). If 5% of the Average Sunday Attendance signed on, the tuitions of all Episcopal seminarians would be paid.
 | |
SIM Representative, The Rev. Bob Honeychurch, and SIMinarians from Church Divinity School of the Pacific
|
This Sunday please donate to SIM (www.simministry.org) or to an Episcopal seminary. Theological Education Sunday is our Super Bowl Sunday!
Faithfully,
Tom Moore
Executive Director
|
