Education for Ministry is Forming for 2022-23

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a small group program for adults who desire a deeper knowledge of scripture, church history, and theology. Groups are comprised of six to twelve adults, led by a mentor or two who guide and administer the group. Holy Trinity’s EfM group meets on Monday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 pm and we roughly follow the Clemson University class calendar from August to May. This year’s mentors will be Jim Beddow and Anna McKenna, with regular cameo appearances by Mother Suz Cate. Our group has met online via Zoom for the past two years and we anticipate that will continue but a final decision on that will be made in late May.

Developed by the University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee, EfM is a 4-year program using standard textbooks to prepare Baptized Christians for lay ministry. The 4-year program of study is:

Year 1   Hebrew Scriptures
Year 2   The New Testament
Year 3   Church History
Year 4   Theology, Ethics, and Interfaith Encounters

The program does not prepare one for ordination nor are there college credits available for participation

The weekly group meeting consists of prayer, discussion of the week’s reading materials for each year and theological reflection. EfM is designed to deepen the participant’s spiritual life through theological reflection, to help participants discern their ministry in daily life, and develop an informed and knowledgeable laity. Theological reflection is the core of EfM. EfM is open non-Episcopalians but it is an Episcopal theology program.

The participant fee for the 2022-23 session will be $325. In addition, participants will obtain books at their own expense from commercial sources. Depending on the source and whether books are rented or purchased, e-book or printed edition, new or used, it appears the annual cost will be $30-$60 plus the cost of a Bible, if needed. Scholarships and reduced fee plans are available through Mother Suz so don’t let funding hold you back.

Our group will have 2-3 openings to begin in August. If you are new to EfM, year 1 is for you, and if you’ve completed some part of EfM previously, you can pick up after the last year completed and continue with our group.

Call the church office at (864) 654-5071 for additional information or questions.