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Notes of appreciation
from recipients

Bishop Gregory Rickel

February, 2008

Dear Ones,

The Student Scholarship Committee is making their once-a-year appeal. I would like to join them in asking you to consider a gift to support the 38 students in our diocese currently enrolled full or part-time in studies toward ordination as priests and deacons to serve our beloved church. If you’ve given in the past, we thank you very much. We welcome first-time givers as well.

In my short time as bishop I have heard several presentations from seminary deans as well as seminarians themselves on the crippling debt and the total lack of interest in helping and commitment from those of us who have discerned and sent them to study, pray and discern further their call to ordained ministry. It is clear from these reports that we can do better.

In this diocese this past year, we distributed over $43,000 to seminarians, the majority of this coming from the Mentzer Endowment (men only) and the Seminary Scholarship Endowment (begun by the Episcopal Church Women over 50 years ago). Over $11,000 was given by individuals like you and that is a huge step toward greater connection and support of those we have called to study and serve.

And so we come again to ask for support. We ask you to be as generous as you are able and if you have an opportunity, to ask your congregation to make a gift to the fund as well. I would very much like to see each congregation support a seminarian or two and to especially support those we have called to go to seminary on our behalf. You my make a donation now by clicking here.

The sacrifices made by these devoted students and their families are many. Click here to read notes of appreication and comments from a few of last year’s recipients. By reading these you can see first-hand the blessings bestowed through your gifts.

Thank you in advance for supporting the next generation of those in Holy Orders.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel

Bishop of Olympia