At the beginning of July the Scottish Episcopal Institute (SEI) was delighted to receive official notification that it had been successful in its bid to join the Common Awards scheme. From September, Durham University will be the academic validator of the ministerial training which candidates for ordination and Lay Readership receive in the Scottish Episcopal Church. This good news is the happy outcome of a lengthy period of review, re-organisation of the curriculum and preparation of extensive validation paperwork.
The 2015-16 academic year has just come to a close with a week-long Summer School on the theme of ‘Taking care’ held at Glenalmond College. Throughout the first part of the week candidates looked at ministry with the elderly, the maintenance of buildings for missional purposes, the need for good policies for – and a solid theology of – safeguarding, and the spiritual imperative to build sustaining and healthy practices for personal wellbeing. The week culminated in a superb Retreat conducted by Canon Brian Hardy. Thirteen students graduated at a joyful Valedictory Service in Glenalmond Chapel led by the Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan, Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway followed by a celebratory buffet lunch attended by friends and family of the Leavers.
SEI has also just published two Handbooks for Curates and Lay Readers in their first three years of public representative ministry, detailing the procedures and protocols for personal development, supervision and review during those formative years. These can be accessed at https://www.scotland.anglican.org/who-we-are/vocation-and-ministry/sei/
