Education for Ministry
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EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY
Education for Ministry (EFM) is a course in practical theology for adults that helps the faithful and the curious encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences in the world. Seminar participants study, worship and engage in theological reflection together in a weekly seminar format over 36 weeks.
The four-year curriculum, to which members commit one year at a time, covers a close reading of the Bible, a history of world-wide Christianity, and a consideration of theology, contemporary ethics, and interfaith dialogue. Participants in the program will read the Old Testament in Year 1 and the New Testament in Year 2, accompanied by relevant textbooks. Each year includes two ‘interlude’ books which speak to the thematic design of the curriculum. Click on the button at the bottom to see the books we are using for the 2017 – 2021 four-year cycle.
Integrated into the academic coverage of tradition, are exercises in theological reflection, spiritual autobiography, prayer life, systematic theology, and ministry.
Founded in 1975, the program was developed, and texts selected in the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Now in its 45th year, EM seminars are situated throughout the throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
The curriculum is presented in a cycle of four Reading and Reflection Guides which provide a lens for focusing the work throughout the year. Weekly assignments guide participants’ preparation for the seminar and includes reading of assigned materials and practice in the disciplines of listening and theological reflection.
A – (2017 – 2018) Living Faithfully in Your World
B – (2018 – 2019) Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World
C – (2019 – 2020) Living as Spiritually Mature Christians
D – (2020-2021) Living into the Journey with God
In the academic year 2021 – 2022 the cycle will begin again with Volume A.
EFM is a program for adults and one expectation of the program is that adults take responsibility for their own lives, set their own goals, and seek the support necessary to move forward. The program asks participants and mentors to provide an arena in which learning can take place on a mature adult level.
THE EFM GROUP AT CHRIST TRINITY CHURCH
At Christ Trinity, a small group (7 participants with a trained mentor) meets on Tuesday mornings from January through December (with a long summer break). This group began in March 2020 with all participants studying the Old Testament. Current members who continue into 2021 will study the New Testament, while those joining the group at Christ Trinity for the first time in January 2021 will read the Old Testament. Persons who have completed some years of the program in other communities and who move to the area are welcome to join in the year that is appropriate for them. There are lively discussions of each year of study within the group, as well as theological reflection, worship, and consideration of contemporary issues. Current participants are members of Christ Trinity Church and Grace Episcopal, Great Barrington and are Episcopalians and Lutherans. Participants who wish to join in January 2021 are welcome from all faith traditions, or none at all, the only prerequisite is curiosity about the Christian tradition and a desire and interest in exploring one’s own spiritual life.
EFM is supported by Christ Trinity Church and sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. During the Covid-19 pandemic, EFM is meeting by Zoom, although when the pandemic subsides, the seminar will meet again in person.
Key Information:
Time (When in Person): Tuesday mornings 10:00am – 12:30 pm
Time (When meeting by Zoom): Tuesday mornings 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Time span: 34-36 weeks with a break in the summer
Dates in 2020: Mar 3 – July 14 and Sept 8 – Dec 15
Dates in 2021: Jan 12 – June 1 and Sept 7 – Dec 14.
Participants: 6-10 (a minimum of 6 are required to form the seminar).
Cost: $375. (No one is to feel prevented from participating because of cost; please speak confidentially with Pastor Erik or Karen if you have questions.)
More info:
Education for Ministry (EFM) is a course in practical theology for adults that helps the faithful and the curious encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences in the world. Seminar participants study, worship and engage in theological reflection together in a weekly seminar format over 36 weeks.
The four-year curriculum, to which members commit one year at a time, covers a close reading of the Bible, a history of world-wide Christianity, and a consideration of theology, contemporary ethics, and interfaith dialogue. Participants in the program will read the Old Testament in Year 1 and the New Testament in Year 2, accompanied by relevant textbooks. Each year includes two ‘interlude’ books which speak to the thematic design of the curriculum. Click on the button at the bottom to see the books we are using for the 2017 – 2021 four-year cycle.
Integrated into the academic coverage of tradition, are exercises in theological reflection, spiritual autobiography, prayer life, systematic theology, and ministry.
Founded in 1975, the program was developed, and texts selected in the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Now in its 45th year, EM seminars are situated throughout the throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
The curriculum is presented in a cycle of four Reading and Reflection Guides which provide a lens for focusing the work throughout the year. Weekly assignments guide participants’ preparation for the seminar and includes reading of assigned materials and practice in the disciplines of listening and theological reflection.
A – (2017 – 2018) Living Faithfully in Your World
B – (2018 – 2019) Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World
C – (2019 – 2020) Living as Spiritually Mature Christians
D – (2020-2021) Living into the Journey with God
In the academic year 2021 – 2022 the cycle will begin again with Volume A.
EFM is a program for adults and one expectation of the program is that adults take responsibility for their own lives, set their own goals, and seek the support necessary to move forward. The program asks participants and mentors to provide an arena in which learning can take place on a mature adult level.
THE EFM GROUP AT CHRIST TRINITY CHURCH
At Christ Trinity, a small group (7 participants with a trained mentor) meets on Tuesday mornings from January through December (with a long summer break). This group began in March 2020 with all participants studying the Old Testament. Current members who continue into 2021 will study the New Testament, while those joining the group at Christ Trinity for the first time in January 2021 will read the Old Testament. Persons who have completed some years of the program in other communities and who move to the area are welcome to join in the year that is appropriate for them. There are lively discussions of each year of study within the group, as well as theological reflection, worship, and consideration of contemporary issues. Current participants are members of Christ Trinity Church and Grace Episcopal, Great Barrington and are Episcopalians and Lutherans. Participants who wish to join in January 2021 are welcome from all faith traditions, or none at all, the only prerequisite is curiosity about the Christian tradition and a desire and interest in exploring one’s own spiritual life.
EFM is supported by Christ Trinity Church and sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. During the Covid-19 pandemic, EFM is meeting by Zoom, although when the pandemic subsides, the seminar will meet again in person.
Key Information:
Time (When in Person): Tuesday mornings 10:00am – 12:30 pm
Time (When meeting by Zoom): Tuesday mornings 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Time span: 34-36 weeks with a break in the summer
Dates in 2020: Mar 3 – July 14 and Sept 8 – Dec 15
Dates in 2021: Jan 12 – June 1 and Sept 7 – Dec 14.
Participants: 6-10 (a minimum of 6 are required to form the seminar).
Cost: $375. (No one is to feel prevented from participating because of cost; please speak confidentially with Pastor Erik or Karen if you have questions.)
More info:
- http://efm.sewanee.edu/
- Facebook: EFM Education for Ministry
- https://www.diocesewma.org/education-for-ministry/
- For Information or to register contact: Karen Byers kdbyers@comcast.net;