A. C. Marble School for Theological Formation

On September 6th, 2013 a new academic program to train vocational deacons in the Diocese of Mississippi, the A.C. Marble School for Theological Formation, matriculated it's first class.“I am delighted that the Commission on Ministry and our Executive Committee decided to name our new diocesan school for theological formation after Bishop Marble,” said the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III.“It was the vision of Bishop Marble that brought the vocational diaconate into being in this diocese. This school will train the new generation of deacons and be a resource for this diocese in a variety of ways as we train clergy in a rapidly changing cultural context.”

Marble, who is the Assisting Bishop of North Carolina and retired Bishop of Mississippi, was contacted at his home in Greensboro, North Carolina. He said that he was “humbled and grateful for the honor to be remembered in such a way.”Marble was instrumental in getting vocational deacons ordained in Mississippi and said he remembered calling together a deacons’ group to check on how their ministries were going. “The first year I got the deacons to come together, I almost broke down in tears because of the work and service to the church that they did. I deeply appreciate the service and witness of deacons,” said Marble.

The center’s program is coordinated with the Iona Initiative developed by the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas. It is the first multi-diocesan, collaborative, on-line formation program of its kind in the Episcopal Church. The Very Rev. Beth Foose was appointed as the first dean of the new theological formation program. Foose also serves as rector of Grace Church/Canton.

“The curriculum is designed to cover the seven canonically required areas: holy scripture, church history, theology, ethics and moral theology, liturgy and music, contemporary society, the theory and practice of ministry,” said Foose.The full course lasts for three years consisting of six semesters. Foose said that both ministry in the world and fieldwork in a parish are integrated into the program along with clinical pastoral educa- tion and anti-racism training.The classes will be presented by DVDs by faculty from the Seminary of the Southwest with clergy from the Diocese of Texas. “Discussion of the material will be facilitated by Foose and other mentors from Mississippi.

Also helping administrate the program is Gay Yerger, the director of spiritual formation, and the Rev. Deacon Bill Hannah will act as a mentor for the class.Foose says that the initial class has three diaconal aspirants and that the process for bi-vocational priests is still being explored.The first weekend meeting began with spiritual formation on Friday while Saturday was spent in academic classes.“Grace Church in Canton will host the students on Sunday mornings when they will participate in worship and Sunday school” said Foose.“I have been impressed with the academic rigor of the Iona Initiative materi- al, and I count it a privilege to be a small part of introducing this program to the diocese.“We, along with the other dioceses that are using this program, are on the forefront of educating persons for ordained ministry, and perhaps through this program, we will lead the church toward exploring new possibilities of what the ministry of all baptized persons might look like,” said Foose.

--by the Rev. Scott Lenoir, adapted from an article published in the Mississippi Episcopalian in September of 2013. Link to original article.

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The Rev. Dr. Charles Hawkins, rector of St. John’s, Ocean Springs, was appointed dean of the A.C. Marble School of Theological Formation in October of 2015. The school’s dean for the last several years was the Rev. Beth Foose who stepped down from the office.

“As you know, we are currently training Canon 6 deacons in the Marble School. I anticipate that, perhaps as early as next fall, we will begin forming bi-vocational priests in the program. That will be an important step forward,” wrote Bishop Seage in his letter of appointment to Hawkins.

Hawkins said that he looks forward to the opportunity of serving as dean. Hawkins came to Mississippi from the Diocese of Kentucky where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1999. Among other degrees, Charles has a Master of Theology from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He has done additional study at Oxford University in Oxford, England, and at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Recent diocesan and community activities include: examining chaplain for the Diocese of Mississippi (2013- present); co-director of Post Ordination Consultation (a training program for the newly ordained) 2015- present; examining chaplain for the Diocese of Kentucky (2001-2013); dean, Anglican Studies Program, Diocese of Kentucky (2005-2006); member of the Curriculum Development Committee, Deacon Training Program, Diocese of Kentucky (2007), member, Commission on Ministry, Diocese of Kentucky (1998-2007).

Hawkins has held many teaching posts throughout the years in addition to his parish ministry. His teaching has primarily focused on philosophy, ethics, and theology. He is currently an adjunct lecturer at Tulane University.

--by the Rev. Scott Lenoir, adapted from an article that originally appeared in the Mississippi Episcopalian in December of 2015. Link to original article.