by Janet Morgan

EFM Trains Laity for Daily Ministries Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EFM, is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South.

As the emphasis on lay ministry has grown in the latter part of the 20th century, EFM has come to be an important part of that growth by providing a program that develops an informed and knowledgeable laity.

Through our baptismal vows, every Christian is called into ministry. We face the daunting task of living out our faith in a complex and confusing world, We struggle to resist evil, to proclaim by word and example the Good News in Christ, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, to strive for justice and peace, and to respect the dignity of every human being. We need help to move toward fulfilling these baptismal covenants. EFM provides the opportunity to strengthen one’s faith, relate it to the world today and to faith throughout the ages.

Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. The seminar participants (6-12) meet weekly with a trained mentor during the nine months of an academic year. They study the Old and New Testaments, church history, and theology. They reflect on their lives and current events, and they worship together. They hear one another’s stories. Laughter and good times permeate the experience as individuals bond into a community of faith, and then go out into the world.

An impressive number of the more than 400 East Tennessee graduates and current students were delegates to the February diocesan convention. Bishop Tharp recognized them and their contributions to the diocese by asking them to stand. Others hold responsible positions throughout the diocese, their churches, their work places and homes.

Eight of 11 members of the Mission Strategy Task Force have experienced EFM as students or mentors: Sayle Bowen, Carolyn Dicer, Patricia Raynolds, Lynn Schmissrauter, the Revs. Gayle Brown, Laura Myhr England, Buckley Robbins, and John Talbird. Five of seven on the Diocesan staff have EFM backgrounds: Canon Alice Clayton, Rosemary Davenport, Carolyn Dicer, Patricia Raynolds, and Barbara Reed.

EFM Scholarship Fund Assists Students, Honors Others
For the first time in seven years, participant fees in sponsoring dioceses increased by $30 to $325 annually ($400 in unsponsored dioceses). The greatest portion of the increase covers the expenses associated with the first comprehensive materials revision in ten years. Fortunately, the Diocese of East Tennessee is one of 80 sponsoring agencies. Some students are further helped by a fee reduction provision available from Sewanee, based on the seminar’s enrollment.

In an effort to make EFM even more accessible, EFM in this diocese established a scholarship fund in 1996. Grants of $100 were given to 10 students in 1997 and nine in 1998. Most recipients come from mission congregations or small churches. The fund is named in honor of Alice Ramsey, a long-time mentor and former Diocesan Coordinator. Contributions are welcome any time of year, in memory of persons, to honor graduates and mentors, or simply in thanksgiving for EFM. Acknowledgments will be sent to person designated by the donor. Please send contributions made out to EFM, Diocese of East Tennessee, to Janet Morgan, Diocesan Coordinator, 3475 Edgewood Circle NW, Cleveland, 37312.

Janet Morgan is EFM Coordinator for the Diocese of East Tennessee.

Learn more about EFM from the University of the South.