Are you interested in theological education in the comfort of a local church? Education for Ministry (EfM) is a Christian formation course that involves scripture and theological study, as well as reflection on one's own life as ministry. EFM is a four-year program of biblical and theological education for lay people in the church sponsored by the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee), one of the seminaries of the Episcopal Church. The EfM group not only studies and discusses scripture and theology, but becomes a small spiritual community that shares worship and reflections on our thoughts and beliefs. One participant has called EfM "mini-seminary - with no papers and grades." Students can sign on for one year, or decide to take all four years of the program. This year, we have been graced with a joint EfM group with St. Paul's, North Andover. One of our members, Steve Taylor, will be graduating from the program and has also trained as a mentor. We need a minimum of six members to continue the group in the fall, and with an additional mentor, there is an opportunity for two groups if enough people sign on.
For more information about EFM you can go online, or e-mail Rosemarie Buxton or Steve Taylor.