Wolfville, NS: Dr. Harry Gardner has recently announced a major gift to the College that will provide further development of the pastoral care curriculum at the College.

The Beatty Ryckman Trust has committed $20,000 per year for five years to support the new position of Professor of Pastoral Care at ADC. The Trust will also match donations and pledges received by the College over the same five-year period, to a maximum of $30,000 per year.

Dr. Gardner remarked, “Acadia Divinity College is deeply grateful for the support of The Beatty Ryckman Trust and their significant role in providing the resources to call a new professor of pastoral care.  We are delighted with the initial response from friends and alumni of Acadia Divinity College; we have received a lead gift of $50,000 towards this matching grant as well as additional donations totaling $4,000.”

The Professor of Pastoral Care will train students for pastoral care ministry in the contemporary church and society, as well as contribute more broadly to the practical ministry program. With this new faculty position, the College will develop fresh approaches to the teaching and practice of pastoral care appropriate to diverse contexts, including churches old and new, health care facilities, correctional institutions, military, businesses, and sport.

A spokesperson from the Trust stated, “The Beatty Ryckman Trust is very pleased to support the work of Acadia Divinity College in providing quality pastoral education. We hope that sufficient funds will be raised to match the Trust’s offer of additional funding in the years to come. We are confident that the work being done by Acadia is consistent with the vision of the co-founder of the Trust, the late Rev. William Leach. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the College.”

The search process is underway with the anticipation that the Professor of Pastoral Care will be present by August 2017.

About The Beatty Ryckman Trust

Established by the late Rev. William Leach and Mrs. Virginia (Beatty) Leach of Toronto, The Beatty Ryckman Trust is dedicated to supporting those who equip and train clergy for self-knowledge and personal wellness. Since 2010, The Beatty Ryckman Trust has been an annual supporter of the ministry of the Charles J. Taylor Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care of the College.

About Acadia Divinity College

Acadia Divinity College equips Christian leaders for full-time and volunteer ministry in Canada and the world. The College provides an environment that places students at the centre of the educational experience, preparing them to lead with passion, purpose, skills, and knowledge to serve the mission of the Christian church in the reality of ever-changing cultures.