EfM (Education for Ministry) started in 1975 when the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee) decided to develop a curriculum which would provide a basic theological education to lay Christians.
EfM is a distance learning course in which the members of the group meet each week to discuss reading materials which provide a basic education about Christianity and contemporary theological issues.
It is a four-year program, but students commit to only one year at a time. The first year is devoted to reading and understanding the Old Testament; second, the New Testament; third the history of the Christian Church; fourth, contemporary theological issues. The group also engages in a theological discussion on a topic of their choosing for part of the session.
Discussions are led by trained mentors who act as moderators and fellow seekers.
There are three groups in the Diocese of Pittsburgh– two at Calvary in Shadyside and one at St. Paul’s in Mt. Lebanon– which are currently recruiting new participants. Members of the groups can be from various parishes as well as other denominations.
The Calvary groups meet Wednesdays from 6-9 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.. The cost of the program is $375 a year and includes all textbooks. For more information on the program in general, please visit efm.sewanee.edu/about-efm/about-efm.
To discuss the Calvary Thursday morning group please contact Barbara Brooks at tipark4me@aol.com or Diane Santoriello at Dianesantoriello@gmail.com. If interested in the Wednesday night group, contact Vanessa Sterling at vmsterling@gmail.com or (412) 551-2042.
For the St. Paul’s group, please email Karen Schneider at kschneider586@gmail.com.