Welcome to the George Mercer Jr. School of Theology!

For over a half-century, the Diocese of Long Island has provided opportunity for theological learning to men and women from Brooklyn to the eastern end of Long Island. Today we are expanding our reach online to provide space and time for reflection, reading, and interaction theologically to people both local and across the globe.

A semester calendar for Mercer offerings is now available. Simply click from the left-hand navigation column on "Upcoming Events." Do remember that your suggestions for courses, seminars, and other nourishment for faith formation are always welcome. Please email me directly at jmcginty@dioceseli.org and I will get back to you. One of the best blessings of human life is the rich conversation we can share with one another. As Mercer grows, let that conversation continue and deepen.

Sincerely in Christ,
John McGinty+

REGISTER NOW FOR UPCOMING COURSES!!

Safe Church/Sexual Harassment &
Child Abuse Prevention
June 15 , 2013 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
at Mercer School of Theology, Garden City, New York

Topics to be covered are the legal, ethical and theological foundations for the prevention of sexual abuse or harassment and the development of safe working and learning places. New employees and lay leaders are encouraged to register for these workshops. Lunch will not be provided.

The training is required for lay leaders, Sunday School teachers and all parishioners who work with children and/or visit people in their homes.

This particular session is timed to be of assistance to those running camping programs for children through the coming summer.

For information and registration, click here or call the Mercer School Office at 516.248.4800, extension 140 by Tuesday, June 11.

**NO FEE is required and space is limited. Registrations will not be taken later than June 11.

Why Priests? A Failed Tradition
A Discussion of the book by Garry Wills

Wednesday, June 19
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Mercer School of Theology

From the pages of every Christian publication from the New York Times to the blogosphere to the Stephen Colbert Show, Garry Wills' pointed, determined and challenging question "why priests?" is being talked about. If everyone else is having their say, certainly priests themselves should be considering the merits and demerits of both Wills' presentation and the larger implications of his question.

Priests are invited to join in the conversation on Wednesday, June 19, beginning at 10 am. In two sessions, with lunch between, we will engage the question together. Do plan to join us. For planning purposes, please phone the Mercer Office at 516.248.4800, extension 140, to let us know you will be coming. Our day together will conclude by 3 pm.

The book is widely available in bookstores and online. Here to whet your appetite is Wills' response to a question posed to him in a recent interview with Erik Campano:

"The idea of a separate Christian priesthood is as invalid for the Anglicans as for the Catholics because it, too, is based on the Letter to the Hebrews, which is riddled with fallacies. The basic point of my book is this: it comes from Luke 9, when the disciples try to stop someone from casting out devils in the name of Jesus and he says, why do that? They're doing it in my name. If they're doing it in my name, they're not against me. Well, the priesthood has, in all cases, Orthodox or Lutheran or Anglican or Catholic, has been a way of saying, stop, to people who don't have the priesthood, of dividing the body of Christ."

For more information call 516.248.4800 ext. 140