The Scottish Episcopal Institute Council (also known as the Board of the Scottish Episcopal Institute) has strategic oversight of SEI and of the delivery of formation and training for authorised ministry in the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Institute Council normally meets three times a year, and after each meeting a Member offers a brief summary. November’s summary is written by the Rev Canon Elaine C Garman.
The new Principal of SEI needed no introduction to the November 2023 meeting of Institute Council as the Rev Canon Prof Michael Hull had stepped up from his previous position of Director of Studies. Nonetheless it was good to mark the first meeting in his new capacity. As it was noted in the meeting Anne Tomlinson’s shoes were always going to be difficult to fill but that is just what is happening. The Council were very pleased to hear that for the students the transition of office has been so smooth – no doubt in no small part to the efforts of the whole team particularly when there is a vacant position. In this regard, the Rev Dr Anna-Claar Thomasson-Rosingh comes into post part-time as Director of Studies from 1 December and full-time from 1 January 2024. We look forward to welcoming Anna-Claar in due course.
The meeting considered business from the previous academic year and looked forward to the current year and beyond. Things never stay the same and as the popularity of the MA programmes increases and translates into a larger number of graduate students, i.e. beyond IME2 (training during curacy), the community of SEI alters. The ramifications for that have already been considered and it has been agreed that the IME2 representative on the Management Committee will also represent those students. The community of SEI is important, it promotes the formation and continuing development of all students for their respective ministries during initial training and for ministry into the future. More thought will be given on how best to continue to meaningfully incorporate those who have taken steps to develop their learning and ministry through SEI into the life of the Institute.
Work within the wider SEC and other parts of the Anglican Communion are signs of a thriving organisation. The Institute Council heard that the staff team has been busy ‘on the road’. Giving external lectures, presentations, preaching and teaching not only benefits those hearing and participating but the positive ripple effect on the life of the SEC overall was reported. This encourages others to consider their vocation whether in an ordained or lay capacity. Finally, the ethos of discernment as part of the life blood of the SEC led to stimulating discussion around possibilities for SEI and SEC as a whole in the future.
Photo courtesy of Rev Canon Elaine Garman
