While the ECNH School for Ministry’s first study weekend arrives at the end of September, the community has been gathering steadily all summer, including meeting weekly over Zoom for open office hours—questions, conversation, and community building—followed by Compline.
Three students are beginning a 3-year preparation program towards priestly ordination; three others, who have advanced theological degrees and experience in ministry, will spend a year solidifying their readiness to serve as priests in in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. The cohort’s courses for 2020-21 include the Iona Collaborative’s “Year of the Bible”; the first year of a three-year homiletics curriculum created in partnership with the Episcopal Preaching Foundation; “Episcopal Immersion” for the one-year group; and a rite-by-rite, season-by-season exploration of the Book of Common Prayer for all.
The broadcast of July’s ordination from Tilton offered a glimpse of the remarkable transformation underway to ready Trinity’s nave to be a working seminary chapel, a space for worship and for learning. We look forward to the day when public health protocols make it possible for us to gather there regularly.
The Rev. Michael Greene, Rector of Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua, has joined the SfM community as the principal mentor for our Episcopal Immersion students.
Ms. Karen Floyd Shepherd, who worships at St. Andrew’s New London and lives in Tilton, and who studied at Andover Newton Theological Seminary, is serving as the school’s librarian.
Starting in October, Dean Kelly Sundberg Seaman will be part of a small group of Iona leaders engaging in the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground program, a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race.
The Rev. Canon Gail Avery and Archdeacon Derek Scalia will trained by Iona faculty as diocesan facilitators for Called to Transformation, a program for Asset-Based Community Development training in congregations created by Episcopal Relief & Development and the Episcopal Church.
Students and staff at the School for Ministry always welcome your prayers! More information about the School for Ministry can be found here.