A unique opportunity is available for parishioners in the diocese wanting to deepen their faith and enhance their ministries through formal theological training.
Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside and St. Paul's in Mt. Lebanon offer Education for Ministry (EfM) program, a four-year study of Scripture, the Church, and how faith forms day-to-day living.
Each week, participants prepare assignments in advance and meet in seminars to share insights and questions, and to pray.
"People who come to EfM are already thoughtful about their faith at a personal level," says Fred Roth of Calvary, a recent EfM grad. "These sessions aid in the understanding of beliefs, traditions and cultures of the world around us, and as such they are useful in helping discern one's personal ministry – ministry needed or ministry already happening."
Calvary sponsors two seminar groups: one meeting Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00, including dinner; the other on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 12:30.
St. Paul's has a class that runs on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to around 9:00 with an optional dinner at the church at 6:30. Its new class will begin on October 6.
The cost is $350 per year – students sign up for one year at a time. Scholarships are available based on need. Contact Calvary mentor, Ruth Fowler, at 724-325-3366 or fowlerrk@windstream.net or St. Paul's mentor, Paula Hopkins, at 412-343-0462 or ph@paulahopkins.com.