An Education for Ministry (EfM) Mentor Training has been scheduled for September 13-15, 2019, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Stephenville, TX.
In 1975 the Rev. Charles Winters of the University of the South, Sewanee, published the first version of the curriculum we know now as Education for Ministry (EfM). His modest title was “Theological Education by Extension.” Winters hoped that eventually a few hundred lay people among Sewanee’s 28 owning dioceses across the southeast would be interested enough to complete the four-year course.
By 1980, nearly 4,000 participants were enrolled. By 1985 the program had contracts with 56 dioceses across the Episcopal Church. By 1995 EfM had become an international program. EfM now has contracts with 93 of the 100 Episcopal dioceses in the United States.
At the September training in Stephenville one Foundations of Seminar Life and one Formation event entitled “Worship” are planned. Sewanee’s change in training requirements for experienced mentors may necessitate some taking Foundations of Seminar Life (“mentors must return to Foundations of Seminar Life after 3 consecutive non-Foundations of Seminar Life events–i.e., formations or alternate trainings”). This requirement went into effect September of 2006. All brand-new mentors must take two Basic trainings before taking a Formation training.
Foundations of Seminar Life training will equip people to understand the role and responsibility of an EfM Mentor. People have to successfully complete the weekend to be accredited as mentors by the University of the South. The training is experiential. The aim is to equip a person as a recruiter and mentor of an EfM group.
Trainees should plan to arrive at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 595 N. McIlhaney between 1 pm and 1:45 pm in order to get acquainted with the facility and complete registration. The actual training will begin at 2 pm on Friday, September 13. Training will end no later than 3 pm on Sunday, September 15. Participants are expected to be present for the entire session in order to meet the training requirements of 18 contact hours.
Space will be reserved upon receipt of a completed registration form and deposit payment. Please be aware that accreditation as an EfM mentor is not automatic. An important part of the trainer’s role is to discern when mentor-trainees are appropriately prepared to lead an EfM group. Once accredited, you will be able to enroll an EfM group through the School of Theology at the University of the South. This training alone will enhance all ministries in significant ways, so participation is encouraged whether or not one plans to mentor.
For additional information, please contact Dana Wilson, Diocesan EFM Coordinator at 817-637-1518 or dana9651@hotmail.com. Directions to location and other training information will be emailed to all registered participants.
Lodging and Fees
The $200 cost of the training covers the expenses for the EfM Trainers and includes 6 meals (Friday dinner through Sunday lunch). Drinks and snacks are provided as well throughout the entire training time. We regret that we are unable to accommodate special diets, but we welcome you to bring your own food and will credit your tuition fee $75. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required to secure your place in a training group.
Participants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Rooms have been reserved under the group name of EfM at the Hampton Inn, 910 S. Harbin Dr., Stephenville, TX 76401. The cost is $133 + tax and the phone number is 254-918-5400. We also suggest the Holiday Inn Express, 121 Lockhart St., Stephenville, TX 76401, reachable by phone at 1-800-315-2605.