Applications are invited by the Alastair Haggart Bursary Fund Committee for the 2023 award. The Bursary is awarded annually in memory of Bishop Haggart, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church (1977-85). It aims to help finance sabbaticals or other similar leave of absence on the part of full-time ministers at a stage in the person’s life when such an experience will significantly enhance his or her development. The outcomes of the project should also be of benefit to the wider Church.
Due to the recent generous legacy received from the estate of the late Mrs Mary Haggart, awards totalling up to £2,500 will be made in 2023. The Committee will convene in mid-January 2023 to make the adjudication and the winner/s will be notified by the end of that month.
Grants in recent years have funded a wide variety of pursuits from studies of ‘pilgrimage’ and ‘interim ministry’ to a sabbatical in the Tantur Institute of Ecumenical Research. Another beneficiary produced a meditative Lent Study Guide based on a daily artwork, having spent time in art galleries in Washington and New York. Awards have been won by clergy and Lay Readers alike, an example of the latter being Kate Sainsbury’s study leave spent considering how an ‘intentional emergent community’ and a fresh expression of Church might be created through the foundation and nurturing of the Appletree Community, and how Scottish and international L’Arche communities might inform this development.
The most recent recipient was the Revd Timothy Tunley, (above) Chaplain of Scottish Seaports, Mission to Seafarers, a team priest at St John’s, Princes Street (Diocese of Edinburgh) and a member of that diocese’s Mission and Ministry Committee. Tim’s plan, somewhat delayed due to covid-related travel issues, was to visit Finland to research the St Thomas Mass and look at the way in which the Lutheran Church uses contemporary music in its services, before working with St John’s in considering how this format could be adapted and offered therein, and within the wider SEC.
If these projects have fanned into flame a sabbatical dream within your heart and mind, why not consider applying? Simply complete the application form found here, and return it to the SEI Administrator by Monday 9 January 2023.
Photo taken by Devaki Fisher; used with permission
