The Scottish Episcopal Institute’s IME1 community — students in the first three years of formation for authorised ministry — gathered and celebrated the Second Sunday in Advent at St Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull, Perth, from Friday 5 December until Sunday 7 December 2025. This was the second residential weekend of the formational year 2025–26.
The SEI community welcomed its new Chaplain, the Rev Canon Elaine Garman, and bid farewell to the Very Rev Graham Taylor, who has served devotedly as SEI’s Chaplain for the last six years.
The Friday Forum was facilitated by the Rev Liz Crumlish, IME2 Officer and Associate Tutor, under the title, ‘Mary Did You Know?’. Saturday saw two guest presenters. In the morning, the Rev Dr Hamilton Inbadas, Rector, St John’s, Forres, and Convener, Global Partnerships Committee of the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Mission Board, spoke on ‘Assisted Dying’. In the afternoon, the Rev Canon Prof David Jasper, Honorary Professorial Research Fellow (School of Critical Studies), University of Glasgow, and a Member of the Scottish Episcopal Institute Council, spoke on ‘Theology and Literature’.
Saturday’s Midday Prayer was led in the United Reformed Church style by Mr Peter Ranscombe; and Saturday’s Evening Prayer, was led by Dr Lana Woolford, featuring Advent carolling.
On Sunday morning, modules were delivered in Theological Reflection & Reflective Practice and Pastoral Care for all students. The residential weekend culminated with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist for the Second Sunday in Advent, at which the Principal, the Rev Canon Prof Michael Hull presided, and Rev Crumlish preached.
And, as pictured above, there was neither a shortage of Adventish anticipatory Christmas cheer nor Christmas jumpers throughout the weekend!
