Dear North American congregations, dear friends,
In the past year we have experienced extraordinary challenges in this country and around the world. We have discovered how connected we all are, and how the well-being of others directly impacts our own well-being. In the midst of these challenges, the Seminary for North America achieved a milestone event: eight new priests were ordained this year, seven of which are now serving congregations in North America. This is certainly good news and it bodes well for the future of our Movement for Religious Renewal in North America. The blessing of these new priests also brings the corresponding responsibility for our congregations to support them and their families. One aspect of that support is our Priest Child Education Fund.
Why do we need this fund in our region?
Our priest families are supported through the freely given donations of their congregational members that cover the basics of housing, food, utilities, transportation, health care, etc. One key expense that is not typically included in the priest support is the cost of educating their children. A good education, particularly a Waldorf education, is expensive, often too expensive for our priest families, even if the priest’s partner works, and even if they receive financial aid from the school.
The education of our priests’ children is a movement issue, not a congregational one. We are all supported through the collective work of our priests and the health of any individual congregation is also tied to the health of the entire North American Region. Your current priest may be single, or without school age children, but that could change at any time. As you have no doubt at some point experienced, priests move. As the number of new priests grows, the need for this kind of support across the Region may also need to grow. So, this fund is critical to our movement’s future in North America.
How does the fund work?
First, the priest’s congregation is asked for their help as part of the ongoing support of their priest; second, the priest’s family gathers as much as they can from their own resources; and finally, the Education Fund will supplement these resources, to the extent of the need and the funds available. Each link in the fundraising chain will only be expected to cover a portion of the overall tuition, with the Education Fund coming in at the end to hopefully fill any remaining need. Total funds distributed in a given year will not exceed $10,000.
We realize that some of you individually and perhaps as a congregation may have been impacted financially by the pandemic. And yet many of you have continued to give generously to the Christian Community, and that support is greatly appreciated. If you are able to do something more to help support our priests and their families so that they can continue to do their essential work in the world, please do so today. Without your generous support this fund cannot exist.
Our priests and their children thank you! In deepest gratitude,
Bruce Chamberlin
For the Regional Board