{"id":285,"date":"2022-09-21T18:26:53","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T18:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diocesecpa.org\/stevensonschoolforministry\/?page_id=285"},"modified":"2026-01-16T18:31:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T18:31:36","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/diocesecpa.org\/stevensonschoolforministry\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is the purpose of the Stevenson School for Ministry (SSFM)?<\/strong><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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Our school began as a flexible alternative to seminary education to prepare students for ordination in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania (now the Diocese of the Susquehanna).\u00a0 Education for everyone (lay and ordained) was part of our founding vision.\u00a0 We have evolved into a collaborative online school that provides quality education for the present and future needs of our church and the people and parishes within our diocese and well beyond our borders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Where is SSFM located?<\/strong>
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SSFM is an online school available to anyone with an Internet connection. We are housed administratively within the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna<\/a>, but you do not have to be an Episcopalian to participate in our continuing education opportunities. For the diaconate or priesthood training certificates, students do need to be a part of the Episcopal denomination.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Who are your partners?<\/strong>
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SSFM is always in active conversation with new partner organizations.\u00a0 Currently, in addition to our home Diocese of the Susquehanna, we are partnered with other Province III dioceses of the Episcopal Church: Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Delaware.\u00a0 We also share resources with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Lower Susquehanna Synod, Lancaster Theological Seminary\/Moravian Theological Seminary, and United Lutheran Seminary.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Is SSFM just for people who are seeking ordination as a priest in the Episcopal Church?<\/strong><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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No.  We provide high-quality education to people wanting to take leadership roles in their church, whether lay or ordained. Most of our students are pursuing lay ministry certificates or are taking individual classes as continuing education. We also continue to provide high-quality seminary-alternative programs for people seeking ordination as both priests and deacons.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What certificate programs of study are available?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We offer a variety of structured programs of study:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joint Certificate in Anglican Studies from Lancaster Theological Seminary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lay Certificates:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n