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Support ESR

ESR occupies a unique place at the intersection of education, religion and Christian leadership. We are a place where students and teachers learn together and challenge one another to grow intellectually. We provide space for Friends and those from other faith traditions who share our inclusive theology to nurture the life of the Spirit. And we develop a new generation of leaders who can shape ministry so that it remains vital and relevant.

These qualities are the product of a vision of Spirit-led education founded on Quaker principles. Financial support for ESR helps us:

Make seminary education accessible to all who are led to ministry.
Provide stability for operations that comprise our annual budget.
Continue to serve a broad spectrum of Friends, through scholarship, events and programs.
Fund growth and programs in key areas: Christian spirituality, cross-cultural ministry, pastoral care and counseling, pastoral ministry, peace studies, and technology and ministry.

We invite those who share this vision to support our work through:

Major gifts that support our key initiatives.
Planned giving, which offers tax benefits to donors.
Annual Fund online giving.

Do you have questions about the tangible impact of your support for ESR? Or would you like to speak with an adviser who can answer questions about donating to the school? Call 800-432-1377.

Make a gift online today →

Annual fund

Planned giving

Major gift priorities

Ways to give

Anyone who shares ESR’s vision of a seminary education’s power to spark creative ministry can support our work through several campaigns and programs. We invite alumni/ae, Friends and other community members to explore the giving options below.

Your gifts secure ESR’s future and allow us to provide students with an education that is spritually and academically nurturing, without burdening them with debt.

Annual fund →

The annual fund represents 15% of our annual operating budget and helps keep an ESR education affordable.

Planned giving →

Planned giving provides creative ways to support ESR that benefit you and your family members.

Major gift priorities →

Major gift priorities express our strategic, prayerful goals for the future of education and ministry.

Supporting ministry through ESR

Although we are a graduate academic institution, ESR was founded to prepare people for ministry. All of our programs share a common focus on nurturing the intellect and spirit of those who are called to serve God. Support for these programs is support for the work of ministers in many fields.

Since our founding, ESR graduates and students have served as:

Pastors, educators and administrators in Quaker, Episcopal, MCC, UCC, UU, Methodist and non-denominational faith communities.
Chaplains, administrators, nurses and volunteers in hospitals, hospices and elder care facilities.
Leaders of church planting organizations.
Authors, artists, musicians and filmmakers.
Teachers, administrators and staff in primary, secondary and higher education.
Public and civil servants.
Social workers.
Peace workers and activists.
Directors, program developers and staff members of nonprofit organizations.

Those who have passed through ESR continue to pursue creative opportunities to provide ministry. By supporting ESR through the annual fund, planned giving, and other means, donors help the school maintain high academic standards, maintain accessibility and affordability of our programs, and help us grow our outreach to Friends and others in the broader religious world.

Large group of religious life students gathered around

Support Lauramoore House

Gifted to ESR in 2010 by the Lauramoore Friends Home board of directors, we use Lauramoore House for short-term student housing, guest lodging and retreat programming.

We invite supporters of Earlham School of Religion, The Lauramoore Friends Home and Historic Preservation in Richmond to consider making a gift toward our ongoing renovation efforts of the property.

Gifts at any level are welcome. Those who wish to make a donation of $5,000 or more may name a room in honor or memory of a loved one or someone special. A plaque with wording of the donor’s choice will be placed on the room’s door. To date, six of ten bedrooms have already been named for the following people: Sue Axtell, Thomas and Mary Thistlewaite Birdsall, Ann Woolley Kendall, Bea Kendall, Dwight and Zora Kendall and Carl and Eunice Darnell, and Jay Marshall.

Learn more about Lauramoore House →

How to give

To support ESR, you can give online or send a check to:

Earlham School of Religion
Annual Fund
228 College Avenue
Richmond, IN 47374

Give online

Questions about giving?

Do you have questions about the tangible impact of your support for ESR? Or would you like to speak with an advisor who can answer questions about donating to the school? Call us at 800-432-1377.

Happening on campus

Ministering in Anxious Times: 2025 ESR’s QLC Pastors Conference

Time: 10:00 am

Ministering in anxious times provides some unique challenges. Kelly Burk (counselor and pastor) will engage us in preparing ourselves for how to meet the challenges and meet people where they are without losing ourselves. Jim Higginbotham (professor of pastoral care) will provide additional insight and perspective.

The post Ministering in Anxious Times: 2025 ESR’s QLC Pastors Conference appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.

Oct

QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell

Time: 7:00 pm

For Friends (Quakers) who want to understand the deep roots of our current practices

Thursdays at 7-9 PM (Eastern) on Oct 2– Nov 6

On Zoom

Registration: https://QuakerBeliefsforEveryone.eventbrite.com This course is being offered by the Quaker Leadership Center on a “Pay-as-Led” basis. This means you pay what you can. Suggested donation is $30 -$300.

The post QLC Quaker Beliefs for Everyone Course with Steve Angell appeared first on Earlham School of Religion.