Support Laurie Atwater's Journey to Priesthood

I came to realize what I think I've been moving toward all my life – God wants me to be a priest in The Episcopal Church. When I was very young, about 11 years old, I've been working in The Episcopal Church as a member, as a volunteer, as a participant in the larger church. I finally received a call. I couldn't say no to it at a time in my life when it was just right. I was living in God's time and he called and I answered just like Samuel saying, “Here I am Lord, your servant is listening.” I've been through the process that the church has laid out for people who have discerned a call. I've finally been approved for postulancy, which means I can go to seminary now.

I found a wonderful seminary here in Michigan that is a hybrid structure, academically rigorous, and will prepare me for the priesthood in fine shape. It's the Academy For Vocational Leadership. It's relatively inexpensive, considering what residential seminaries cost, and I'm getting help from the diocese and from my parish, Saint Martin of Tours in Kalamazoo. But I still have to come up with some money to make all of the tuition and buy books and cover transportation because we meet in person once a month. So I'm putting a plea out there, if any of you are interested in helping me realize this dream, and you can even give me a couple of dollars toward helping that be a reality, I'd super appreciate it. You will be an answer to prayer.

Tuition is $4300 per year. I'm responsible for a third of it and I really just don't have it living on disability. So I'm looking for three years' worth of a third. In other words, I need $4300 for three years, plus a few hundred dollars for books and travel expenses. That makes my total ask about $5000. I know I've got a lot of friends out there that want to see me succeed, and I hope you're one of them, please contribute if you can. I would appreciate it ever so much.

Laurie Atwater