Do you desire to deepen your faith and understanding of our Christian heritage, to sharpen your vision to see God’s work in your life and the world around you, and to grow in your ministry to God’s people as a lay person?
You might consider Education for Ministry.
Enrollment is done directly through the mentor. The fee for one academic year is $350. CEUs are provided by University of the South at Sewanee. Reduced tuition is available if the group has enough students to support it. Also, there is scholarship assistance available through the diocese.
Registration begins now for the coming year. The deadline for registering for the fall class is Monday, Aug. 12. Registration fee of $350 is due by Aug. 12. Classes begin Monday, Sept. 9.
Hear what previous students have to say:
“Oasis in the week when I get to listen to the stillness of God.”
“Opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our faith traditions, while simultaneously exploring ways to put my faith into practice in the real world — all in the company and fellowship of a wonderfully diverse group of committed Christians.”
“A logical approach to understanding the origin and growth of Christianity.”
“I have gained new insights into the Old Testament, and discovered that the loving, forgiving God that I have always thought of can be found there.”
As one can see, responses to Education for Ministry are as varied as the students themselves. The program covers Old and New Testaments, church history and theology.
Students sign up for one year at a time. It takes four years to cover all the material. The Grace Episcopal seminar group consists of six to 12 students and two trained mentors. The group meets on Monday evenings at Grace Church in Bath during the academic year.
During seminar time, they open with worship and a time of sharing about the week, focused by a gathering question. They continue with discussion of the weekly reading and guided discussions exploring the connection between faith and life. They include a break for refreshments and informal conversation, and conclude with worship.
The Education for Ministry group becomes a small Christian community of faith where they support one another in our journey and their understanding of how God is calling us to act in the world. This is all based on Biblical, historical, theological and ethical studies, and explored through discussion.
Discussions are the heart of Education for Ministry. The goal is to learn to see the world through the lens of faith. By examining one’s own beliefs and one’s relationship to our culture and the tradition of our Christian faith, participants can learn what it means to be effective ministers in the world. In coming to terms with the notion that everything we do has the potential for manifesting the love of Christ, they discover that the ministry is at hand wherever we turn.
Weekly time commitment is five to seven hours. This includes two and a half hours meeting, and some hours for reading during the week.
For the first time in 30 years, Education for Ministry will use new books next year, and a new guide to structure the year. The same great process of reflection and discussion will now be augmented by excellent books.
Readings in the Christian Tradition
Those who enroll in the program begin their readings in the Christian tradition with the Hebrew Bible in Year One and read in the following sequence. Learners in years One and Two also read the Bible alongside their survey texts.
— Year One: The Hebrew Bible. “A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” by John J. Collins (Fortress Press, 2007).
— Year Two: The New Testament. “Introducing the New Testament,” by Mark Allan Powell (Baker Academic, 2009).
— Year Three: Church History. “Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years,” by Diarmaid MacCulloch (Penguin Books, 2009).
— Year Four: Theology, Ethics and Interfaith Encounters. “Theology for a Troubled Believer: An Introduction to the Christian Faith,” by Diogenes Allen (Westminster John Knox, 2010). “The Christian Moral Life: Practices of Piety,” by Timothy F. Sedgwick (Seabury Books, 2008). “My Neighbor’s Faith: Stories of Interreligious Encounter, Growth and Transformation,” by Jennifer Howe Peace, Or N. Rose, and Gregory Mobley (Orbis Books, 2012).
Interlude Books
Interlude readings vary according to the theme set by the Reading and Reflection Guide. For 2013-14 the interlude books consider how we understand the authority of the Bible and how we understand the collaborative nature of lay and ordained ministry. “And God Spoke,” by Christopher Bryan (Cowley Publications, 2002). “Living on the Border of the Holy: Renewing the Priesthood of All,” by L. William Countryman (Morehouse Publishing, 1999).
For more information about EfM, visit www.sewanee.edu/EFM.
For more information ask Grace Church graduates: Bev Coleman, Evelyn Dunphy, Lois Hart, Donna Miller, Diane Paterson, Richard Poliquin, John Romac and Mary Swain; Anne Street, St. Paul’s; Beth Hood, Phippsburg UCC; and Terry Berry, St. Matthew’s; or current students: Cindy Fontanez, Sandy Meck and Patricia Huntington of Grace, and Tim Cowing and Robin Ford or St. Philip’s.
Contact Carol Huntington at 443-5777, carolleehuntington@gmail.com, or Sharon Pedersen at 720-0718 or sharon.pedersen@gmail.com.
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