Dear Friends,

The Mercer School continues to provide educational opportunities for the diocesan community. This Spring Mercer School has sponsored three forums on social issues: WaterJustice through the Trinity Institute and the EMLI Youth & Family Summit at the Garden City Campus, and a Gender and Race Discrimination forum at Grace Church Brooklyn Heights. Successful workshops for church leaders have taken place as well covering topics for vestries, treasurers and lay ministry. Our efforts to reach across Long Island continues in May with a racism awareness workshop in Huntington. On May 23 Parish Admins are invited to Garden City for a day of learning and networking. Details on these events are being finalized now, so look for announcements soon and please consult the calendar on the Mercer website for dates and times.

The 2017 Capon Lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Dr Martha Horne, former Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary. Martha Horne was the first woman president elected in an Episcopal seminary.The Capon series is dedicated to the continuation of a Scripturebased, future-centered and hope-filled consideration of issues related to Christian faith in the 21st century. This lecture is open to all and has become a tradition at the Mercer School as the academic year draws to a close.

The primary source for information on the many events and learning opportunities at the school is www.mercerschool.org . Please note that we have added a new tab on the Mercer website, "Safe Church", where updates on this important training are posted and many questions can be answered. Ms. Aissa Hillebrand in the Mercer Office is also available to answer your questions.

As we move into this beautiful season, I hope you will join us for an enriching experience.

Diane Muscarella, Administrator & Registrar
Mercer School of Theology
Episcopal Diocese of Long Island