Canvas  |  Populi  |  Pathways  |  Libraries  |  Donate 800-275-8235

Prestigious Conant Grants awarded to two Bexley Seabury faculty members for 2015–2016

CHICAGO, June 3, 2015—Bexley Seabury announced today that two of its faculty members, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Ferguson and the Rev. Dr. Jason Fout, have each been awarded Conant Grants for 2015–2016. Given annually by the Episcopal Church, Conant Grants support research, writing, and course development to improve theological education at the 10 recognized Episcopal seminaries in the United States. Approximately 12 grants are awarded each year, funded by a trust established by William S. and Mary M. Conant in 1953.

“It’s an honor and a mark of distinction for Bexley Seabury faculty members to have earned two Conant Grants in one year, and three in three years in Jason’s case,” said Bexley Seabury President Roger Ferlo. “We’re deeply gratified and deeply appreciative.”

Ferguson, vice president for academic affairs and academic dean, will use his Conant Grant to research how the Episcopal Church’s ecumenical partners have responded to increased secularization. The research will include time at the archives of the Old Catholic Church in the Czech Republic in Prague and at the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, near Geneva, Switzerland.

Fout, associate professor of Anglican theology, will use his Conant Grant, to participate in the Common Life Missions Conference 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand and to pursue further study of Scriptural Reasoning. Fout’s two prior Conant Grants supported his work in the Church of England’s Diocese of London while developing Bexley Seabury’s “Learning from London: Mission and Evangelism in the 21st Century” travel course and related research for a book on how to reimagine and revitalize worship communities.

Bexley Seabury is an Episcopal center for learning and discipleship offering theological education in a generous spiritual and intellectual tradition. Our mission is to equip lay and clergy leaders for bold inquiry in service of the Gospel and active engagement in congregational and community life. We offer Master of Divinity, Doctor of Divinity, Diploma in Anglican Studies, and Lifelong Theological Learning programs from campuses in Columbus, Ohio and Chicago. Learn more at bexleyseabury.edu.