Adopt-A-Seminary Salutes The (soon to be) Rev Tom Jones

Tom Jones came to Sewanee, and the School of Theology, in 2003 after serving in the Air Force for 28 years.  A former jet engine mechanic turned pilot, Tom spent much of his career flying B-52Gs and RC-135s.  His wife, Sharon, came to the mountain with him.  Sharon spent her first year teaching Mathematics at Grundy County High School and her last two years at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.

Tom began working for SPCK’s Adopt-A-Seminary Program during his junior year in seminary. Spending his first year learning the ropes under the tutelage of the now Rev Jim Benbrook, Tom found the diverseness of donations to the Adopt-A-Seminary program fascinating. During his middler year, Tom organized and oversaw the complete reorganization of the book warehouse, as well as the shipment of over 10,000 books, hundreds of vestments, and numerous other donations to recipients around the world. His efforts have enabled visiting clergy, and his fellow seminarians, to more easily find books covering particular topics in ministry by category or major theologian. During his senior year, he continued to make improvements to the warehouse’s organization and processes that have now been handed down to a new set of seminarians who will continue in the footsteps of so many others who work to provide resources for Christian development around the world.

Tom’s ministry on the mountain was not limited to SPCK alone. He served as sacristan to the community chapel and as deputy commander to a local squadron in the Civil Air Patrol. He organized numerous community functions and was part of a team of seminarians who helped pack and unpack UHAUL trucks for both departing and arriving seminarians.

Tom graduated with honors on May 12th and will return to Omaha, NE where he will begin his post seminary ministry as Curate at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church.Â

SPCK/USA will miss Tom’s leadership and personal commitment to the mission of SPCK/USA, however, like many other seminarians who have supported the efforts of SPCK/USA in the past, Tom has offered to continue working with the Society as a Diocesan Representative from the Diocese of Nebraska.Â

Go in peace, my dear friend.