The following update on Education for Ministry (EfM), a program of learning for lay people, is provided through the Diocese of New Westminster's EfM Coordinator. The link to learn more & register is at the end of the article.
“Spinning Wheel” is an apt metaphor. Things have a way of going ‘round and round’, returning but never in the same place. Education for Ministry (EfM), celebrated its 50th anniversary this summer. This September it launches a new, totally revised programme. Although our Diocese does not have on-site groups at present, EfM remains available to us through On-Line EfM.
Every 10 years the materials have gone through revision, reimagination or new formats. The programme remains the same: studying the Scripture, the History and Tradition of the Church, and in the 4th year a new focus: Ethics and Spirituality. The method remains the same as we gather in small ‘cohorts’ committed to being “safe and brave” learning spaces for each other for the next nine months. Materials change, faces change but EfM continues its mission of “equipping the saints for the work of ministry.” (Ephesians 4:12)
At the start of EfM the written texts were condensed from classroom lectures and reading from teachers at St. Luke’s Seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. The next stage was launched to satisfy the needs of groups with members reading in different year levels. “Common Lessons” were added at transitional points to bring everyone to the same page for a week or two. This allowed for exploration of areas such as Spirituality, and Vocation. In time the addition of outside texts that were changed every year, to allow for another opportunity for joint exploration. These books have explored a variety of facets important to our faithing1 in contemporary times. Also, in the 1990’s The Ven Richard Leggett of this diocese composed Interlude Lessons specific to our Canadian context including human sexuality and same-sex covenants, and full communion between Anglicans and Evangelical Lutherans in Canada. The Rev’d Dr. Catherine Hall(2) was able to get the EfM leadership in the USA to add to our annual license that EfM-Canada could trade-out one of the Interlude texts for a Canadian book. We have delved into the history of First Nations people in Canada, stewardship of creation and Christian discipleship, as well as other topics. As many of the books we study are available in digital format as well as printed as possible to reduce the cost to EfMers.
In the early years of this century the EfM Canada began to offer EfM On-line. In the earliest days there was no audio-visual on real-time platforms meaning no clue to body language and no idea of who else was typing, so that things could be chaotic from time. As a community recognizing that chaos is one of the places where Gd does the best work, we learned how to thrive. We were using ZOOM some years before the pandemic hit in 2020.
BIG CHANGES TO CARRY ON THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES.
No more printed lessons as we move to an on-line platform that delivers our lessons in weekly modules. (they can be run off for group members whose access to a computer is limited.) There are links to further information, to film and recordings that connect. There is a personal tracker that will give a picture of how the work of the week is being accomplished. The platform, “Pathwright,”3 is used by many academic institutions (and others). Zoom will continue to be the system when the group gathers for our weekly meetings.
There are several new learning opportunities from EFM in the USA that have not yet come to Canada. What is, however, is called “Wide Angle - A One Year introduction to EfM.” People in this programme with be part of a “EfM Classic” group, reading different textbooks but sharing in several common lessons throughout the year. They will have a variety of learning areas and will join everyone in the weekly practice of Theological Reflection – EfM’s cornerstone element – and discussing readings briefly from week to week.
In Classic EfM people start in Year One with the Old Testament and then progress consecutively a year at a time. Wide-Angle people will have only one year of study, alongside people in the Classic programme. At present, On-Line EfM is sponsored by EfM Canada and so the cost is holding at $350/year plus books. You can learn more about EfM at “efmcanada.ca”.
The website is also the place where one registers. There is a page titled “On-Line Course” where you can learn about the September-start groups which are currently filling up fast. The Monday afternoon group still has places available. There is also a 4th on-line group that meets on Sunday afternoons from January through December. That group will begin registering for 2026 by mid-November. (home page, click banner “Registration is open….”)
EfM is meant for lay people to grow in their faith, discern how Gd is calling them, and discover gifts for ministry in the company of others on this pilgrimage in discipleship. It is a journey filled with treasure that can invite us to lighten our load as we discover the things we may no longer need to carry. The journey begins with you, your self and Gd, and expands to weave with many threads, and many friends along the way.
“To turn, turn, will be our delight ‘til by turning, turning, we come round right”
1 Arthur Stokes, in Faith is a Verb. Twenty-third Publications, 1989. ISBN-13: 978-0896223974
2. One-time rector of St. Hilda’s, Sechelt, and St. John the Apostle, Port Moody, who was one of the team responsible for bringing EfM to our Diocese before becoming Director for EfM-Canada. (d. 2023)
3 socrates@internet.com
Music:
· Spinning Wheel, David Clayton Thomas. 1968 EMI Blackwood Music Inc. and EMI Blackwood Music Inc. o/b/o Bay Music Ltd.
· ‘Tis a gift to be Simple, Shaker music. Anonymous.1848
Some of the books we’ll be reading this year (not all in every year):
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- God’s Joyful Surprise, Finding Yourself Loved, by Sue Monk Kidd. (All)
- Mind the Gap: How Jewish writings between the Old and New Testament Help Us Understand Jesus, Matthias Henze. (Year 2)
- To Love and Serve, Anglican Beliefs and Practices, Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson (Year 3)
Visit the EfM homepage and registration portal HERE.