Loading...A.C. Marble School for Theological Formation
As member of the Iona Collaborative (formerly the Iona Imitative) of the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, the A. C. Marble School is in its fifth year. The Diocese of Mississippi partners with the Diocese of Louisiana in this endeavor. The curriculum prepares postulants for holy orders in the Episcopal Church. Two second year students are preparing for the bi-vocational priesthood. Seven students are preparing for the diaconate.
The students and faculty meet once a month at Gray Center throughout the academic year (10 months a year). Having completed a study of ethics and theology in 2015-2016, students studied the bible in 2016-2017. This year the focus is church history. In addition to the academic courses, taught by seminary faculty with discussion facilitated by Charles Hawkins, dean of the A. C. Marble School for Theological Formation. Linda Healy (replacing Bill Hanna who retired this year) instructs students in courses to enhance their understanding of the practical aspects of diaconal ministry. Gay Yeager, Director of Spiritual Formation, directs the postulants in four retreats during the academic year and supervises summer projects. Lynn Ronaldi supervises a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. Beth Foose, Dean Emeritus, leads a practicum at Grace Church, Canton and supervises summer projects.
The first class to graduate completed their studies in May of 2016. Linda Healy, Sandy Kimmelman, and Betty Melton where our first graduates. The A. C. Marble School had nine students matriculate for the fall semester in 2017. Seven are diaconal postulants. Two are postulants for the priesthood. Six are from the Diocese of Mississippi. Three are from the Diocese of Louisiana.
