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. Year 3 covers Church History and Year 4 Theology. 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 2021-2025 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. EfM 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 – (2021 – 2022) Living Faithfully in Your World
B – (2022 – 2023) Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World
C – (2023 – 2024) Living as Spiritually Mature Christians
D – (2024-2025) Living into the Journey with God
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 group meets on Tuesday mornings from January through December (with a long summer break). We meet in person, on Zoom, and in a hybrid format (a combination of In-person and Zoom) depending upon pandemic permissions, the weather, and other considerations. There are lively discussions of each year of study within the group, as well as theological reflection, worship, and deliberations on 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 the future 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.
Key Information:
Time: Tuesday mornings 10:00am – 12:30 pm
Time span: 36 weeks with a break in the summer
Dates in 2023: Jan 17 - June 6 and Sept 5 - Dec 12
Participants: 6-12
Cost: $325. (Participants purchase their own books.) (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. Year 3 covers Church History and Year 4 Theology. 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 2021-2025 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. EfM 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 – (2021 – 2022) Living Faithfully in Your World
B – (2022 – 2023) Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World
C – (2023 – 2024) Living as Spiritually Mature Christians
D – (2024-2025) Living into the Journey with God
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 group meets on Tuesday mornings from January through December (with a long summer break). We meet in person, on Zoom, and in a hybrid format (a combination of In-person and Zoom) depending upon pandemic permissions, the weather, and other considerations. There are lively discussions of each year of study within the group, as well as theological reflection, worship, and deliberations on 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 the future 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.
Key Information:
Time: Tuesday mornings 10:00am – 12:30 pm
Time span: 36 weeks with a break in the summer
Dates in 2023: Jan 17 - June 6 and Sept 5 - Dec 12
Participants: 6-12
Cost: $325. (Participants purchase their own books.) (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 the church office
