wfn.org | Theological Education Sunday set for February 6

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2000-007

Theological Education Sunday set for February 6

by Kathryn McCormick

     (ENS) How do you learn about God? In classes, in discussion 
groups, quietly chatting, reading? Theological education never 
really stops as Episcopalians explore not only the great issues 
that affect the church as a whole but those small points when 
each individual sees God working in his or her life. On February 
6 this lifelong learning--and teaching--process will be 
acknowledged and celebrated in parishes across the church.

     Theological Education Sunday is a special time in the church 
calendar when all church members can be encouraged to search for 
knowledge of God and to help make educational opportunities 
available to people of all ages.

     "Theological education occurs in congregations, diocesan 
schools, and special programs," noted Presiding Bishop Frank T. 
Griswold in a letter last fall to clergy and others across the 
church. "Corporate board rooms, hospital bedsides, prison cells 
and picket lines call can be places of revelation. We gain 
insight about our relationship to God when we reflect prayerfully 
on life's experiences in light of the Gospel."

     He stressed that the new TES replaces a day in the church 
calendar when the church's 11 seminaries made an appeal for 
support. In 1982, the General Convention called on parishes and 

dioceses to provide regular financial support through annual 
contributions of 1 percent of their net disposable budget income. 
Each contribution was strictly voluntary.

     Not only was the response weak (less than one third of 
churches make contributions), but the passage of the 1-percent 
resolution resulted in the day's diminishing importance in the 
life of the church, according to the church's Office for Ministry 
Development. In 1997, the General Convention asked the presiding 
bishop to designate a new Theological Education Sunday and, with 
the Council of Deans of the Episcopal seminaries, he chose the 
first Sunday in February.

     "Actually, theological education doesn't have to be 
celebrated precisely on that Sunday," said the Rev. Lynne Grifo, 
associate coordinator for Ministry Development. "It can be at a 
more convenient time. The point is to understand how the whole 
church can embrace the mission of providing broad and accessible 
education to everyone who wants it."

     Having set a date, the deans also began to explore new ways 
to talk about theological education as something more than 
seminarians in classrooms.

     That marked the beginning of an ambitious video project 
likely to be launched in 2001. It will include a three-part video 
series made available to as many audiences as possible. 
Seminarians will be called on to present the videos and to talk 
about education.

     The first video in the series, Grifo said, will stress the 
importance of theological education in Christian life and as a 
lifelong pursuit. The second will show examples of ongoing 
education in schools, churches and elsewhere, and the third will 
challenge audiences to think about they and their communities 
might become involved in the educational mission.

     The project's proposal calls for videotaping at 30 sites 
around the country, producing supplementary materials such as 
directories of resources for use by parishes, and producing a 
large number of sets of the videos for widespread use. The deans 
anticipate that much of the financing for the project will be in 
place within coming months.

     Resources for use in connection with Theological Education 
Sunday this year can be obtained from the Office for Ministry 
Development, (800) 334-7626, x6166.

--Kathryn McCormick is associate director of the Office of News 
and Information of the Episcopal Church.