George Mercer Jr. Memorial School of Theology

ONLINE LUNCH & LEARN RESUMES

We return in this new academic year to a schedule of short courses starting in October. Our format follows our established pattern: three or four consecutive Thursdays, 12 Noon – 1 pm, via Zoom.

We have repeatedly offered our program with an eye toward the seasons of the Church Year. Some of our courses will keep to that rhythm. But because this is an Election Year, and because our Episcopal Church engaged in major churchy political activity at its tri-annual Convention in early summer, we joined with our Episcopal Church Law team to provide three sessions entitled “Breaking News: Episcopal Church Polity Update.”

Learn about legislative changes in our Constitution and Canons that will impact our worship, governance, and ministries over the next few years.

Register now for a new Lunch & Learn series on Episcopal Church Polity!

Course Leader:
The Rev Joseph Campo

“Father Joe” has taught ecclesiastical polity and canon law to generations of priests, first in the Roman Catholic Church, and then, after reception as a priest in the Episcopal Church, at the General Theological Seminary. Before his recent retirement, Father Joe was primarily a parish priest and served as a priest in charge and rector for churches in the Diocese of New York. He studied theology at the Gregorian University in Rome and canon law at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. He is one of the few USA members of the Ecclesiastical Law Society.

October 10th: After asking what exactly we mean by church “polity” and “canon law”, we’ll do an overview of the polity and governance of The Episcopal Church.

October 17th: We’ll focus on changes in the legal dimension of the worship life of our church and provide an update on ecumenical relations.

October 24th: In our concluding session, we’ll consider other changes affecting church structures and procedures.

All three sessions via Zoom October 10th, 17th, 24th from 12 Noon – 1 p.m.

Download Full Description

Welcome to a New

Academic Year at Mercer!

On Saturday. November 21st, the School for Ministry began the first semester of its seventh year of operation with our revised three-year curriculum. Ten ordinands and twenty-four clergy and lay audit students enrolled in one or more of the ten courses offered. We have already begun planning for our second semester, which starts in February 2025.

Still online? Yes.    We will continue to offer both our online core curriculum and program and our popular Lunch and Learn sessions on Zoom through June 2025.

Focus.   We will stay laser-focused on our academic program supporting the formation of deacons for the Church while providing opportunities for clergy and laity to engage in the study of scripture, theology, church history, liturgy, and other churchy topics along with our ordination track students.    There is no charge, and full participation in courses is encouraged.

Courses.    We have designed our spring semester and will offer seven courses from our three-year program. We plan to post the spring online catalog one our website before the end of the year. Visit the Mercer booth at our Diocesan Convention in November to get a first look! Further details about our curriculum are available at:
https://www.mercerschool.org/courses-of-study.html

Faculty.    Any school is only as good as its faculty.    Most of our instructors have earned doctorates or other advanced academic degrees in their fields.    Last year, we added three new, experienced scripture teachers. Beginning this academic year, we welcome Dr. Laura Nelson (philosophy and ethics), The Rev. Dr. Clair McPherson (church history), and The Rev. Jenn Pilat (liturgics) to the team.

Their biographies are posted on the school website at:
https://www.mercerschool.org/instructors.html

Considering Ordained Ministry?

Self-Study Course in Episcopal Church Law

We are excited to announce the Episcopal Church Law Self-Study Course. In a web-based multimedia format, you will be introduced to the structures and laws (canons) which make up the unique “polity” of the Episcopal Church.

In addition, we will consider the intersection of “church law,” as described in the constitutions and canons of the General Convention and the Diocese of Long Island, with the varieties of secular law.

This new format allows you to take the course at your own pace on your own schedule. This course is designed for clergy and lay leaders.

Registration is required and is now open!

More information about our School for Ministry program, please click here and contact Director of Academic Programs - Canon Ted Gerbracht [email protected].

Mercer Library Hours

Tuesday and Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Saturday by Appt Only

Contact [email protected]

2024 Fall Catalog

Welcome to Mercer!

The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Sniffen
Dean
[email protected]

Diane Muscarella
Director of Operations
[email protected]

Canon Ted Gerbracht
Director of Academic Programs
School for Ministry
[email protected]

Aissa Hillebrand
Assistant Director of Operations
[email protected]

Jane Herbst
Librarian
[email protected]