Giving Thanks Day

AMBS students Janie Beck, Jonny Gerig Meyer and Andre Shenk are new Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary students, learning about the Giving Thanks Day tradition at the seminary. Between Canadian Thanksgiving Day (October 13) and U.S. Thanksgiving Day (November 27), Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary celebrates its own day for giving thanks.

When students gathered on October 30m Nelson Kraybill, AMBS president, explained, “As of today in our fiscal year, we have spent all of the tuition you have paid.” The finances for the rest of the year, through June 30, 2009, come primarily from donations.

“Donors give because they believe in what the faculty and students are doing,” Kraybill continued. “The only thing they expect is that we use their money well. They deserve a thank you.”

The gathering focused on students writing thank-you notes to some of the seminary’s supporters. Students who receive scholarships are asked to write specifically to those who established these funds or to their families. Other students are invited to write notes to congregations and donors whose gifts help keep tuition costs affordable for students.

AMBS tuition covers approximately fourteen percent of the annual costs; 45 percent of the seminary’s budget comes from contributions, which is typical for seminaries that have smaller enrollment than colleges do.

Mary E. Klassen / November 2008