Education for Ministry (EFM) is a program of theological education-at-a-distance
for lay persons from The School of Theology of The University of the
South (Sewanee). One of my particular ministries for the past seven
years has been to serve the diocese and our Lord as coordinator for
Sewanee's Education for Ministry program.
The best part was getting to know fellow mentors and hearing many of
the stories of their journeys in faith. For me, EFM is all about journeying
together and listening to stories: one another's and the stories of
the people of God.
My story intersected with those of mentors, students and graduates
all over the diocese. Seeing them in their multiple ministries proves
to me the value of the program. Promoting EFM was easy because students
and graduates are the best promotional tools. The program basically
sells itself and grew from 11 to 23 seminars and from 15 to 27 mentors.
I enjoyed telling the EFM story to others through the East Tennessee
Episcopalian and to those who came by displays at Diocesan Conventions.
My journey merged with others in the diocese as we worked together.
Mentor training events brought participants and trainers from outside
the diocese to share our journeys. East Tennessee's first was in 1995
and the two March 2000 training events marked 11 held in this diocese.
Meeting the people at the School of Theology Programs Center whose
voices I knew from phone contacts has been helpful and fun. Ed deBary,
Cindy Caldwell and their staff eased me over bumps and guided me around
sharp curves with sound advice from years of experience. A cheerful,
knowledgeable person was just a phone call or email away.
Thanks to my advisors on this journey including Bishop Tharp and Bishop
vonRosenberg, Anne Blakeney, Carolyn Dicer, trainer Marti Greenwood,
the Rev. Albert Lewis, Barbara Suttles, Barbara Yoakum and Mary Berl;
and Alice Ramsey, whom I followed as diocesan EFM coordinator.
I'll continue mentoring at St. Luke's, Cleveland. But I'm delighted
to turn the coordinator's position over to two well qualified people:
Anne Blakeney and Michael Keene. They were appointed in June by Bishop
vonRosenberg and the Rev. Dr. Edward de Bary. My term ended as they
began by planning the annual Mentor Gathering June 3. I appreciated
the fun send-off they orchestrated for my retirement and I wish them
the best in their new positions.
Respectfully submitted by Janet M. Morgan, Retired EFM
Diocesan Coordinator