The Licensed Lay Ministers' Association of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Education for Ministry
What is EfM?
EVERY BAPTIZED PERSON is called to ministry.The Education for Ministry program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. The EfM program does not evaluate or recommend individuals for ordination. Many people think that one must be ordained in order to be “a minister.” The fact is that all baptized Christians are called to be active participants in the church’s total ministry. The EfM program is preparation for the ministry to which we all are called.
The seminar group is the nucleus of the EfM program. A "face-to-face"group consists of six to 12 participants and a trained mentor; while an online group consists of approximately eight participants and and a specifically trained mentor, who meet weekly over the course of 36 weeks. Through study, prayer, and reflection, EfM groups move toward a new understanding of the fullness of God’s kingdom. Participants are given weekly assignments to study with the help of resource guides. In the seminars members have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries as well as to discuss questions which the study materials raise for them. Through discussion and guided reflection, the seminars furnish an opportunity to deepen understanding of the reading materials.
More important is the development of skills in theological reflection. The goal is to learn to think theologically. By examining their own beliefs and their relationship to our culture and the tradition of our Christian faith, participants can learn what it means to be effective ministers in the world. In coming to terms with the notion that everything we do has potential for manifesting the love of Christ, we discover that our ministry is at hand wherever we turn.
Seminar groups work under the leadership of mentors who serve as guides and administrators. They are not teachers in the traditional sense who are expected to impart information about the Christian tradition. A mentor must work as an enabler rather than as an informer of people. Mentors may be lay or ordained persons. If you are interested in taking part in EfM, either as a student or as a mentor, please contact me or email (contact information below)
Face-to-Face EfM Groups
Face to Face EfM Groups are held in various parishes around the diocese. If you are interested in joining one, please contact the administrative mentor of the group closest to you:
EfM Online: David Harrison902-923-2902
Parish of Lanz Rev. David Fletcher902-883-2898
Parish of St James, KentvilleBill Travis902-678-1312
Parish of Fall River Rev Carl Fraser902-860-0092
Parish of Liscomb/Port BickertonMike Mackenzie
Parish of Christchurch, AmherstRev Will Ferrey
EfM Online
David Harrison is offering an online EfM group on Sundays, from 4:00 to 5:30 or 6:00pm, this is ideal for anyone who is unable to attend a face-to-face group or is planning on being away for any length of time during the year.This group is composed of from 10 members from across Canada. Deadline for registration for new members starting in September 2020 will be June 15, space is very limited. If there is enough demand, I may be offering another online EfM Group on Wednesdays, time to be determined. I will be recruiting for new members to join my group starting in May 2020.
Tuition for either type of EfM Group is $350.00 per year.
For more information, contact David Harrison, EfM Diocesan Coordinator at djh@djharrison.ca (902-923-2902) or go to the EfM Canada web site.
EfM Mentor Training
The Debert Hospitality Centre has been booked for Thursday, September 10 to Saturday, September 12.
The training will take place from 6:00 pm (after supper- not provided) on the first night until after lunch on the third day (eg. Thursday 6:00 pm through Saturday 1:00p.m.). Participation will be limited to 8 participants, the minimum number of participants is 6.
Registrations will be accepted in the following order: current mentors; previously accredited mentors; current EfM participants; new mentors). Deadline for registering: ASAP. (No later than June 15)
Please contact David Harrison if you wish to attend. Cost will be approximately $250.00 per person (It is dependent, in part, on the number of people registered.). This includes lodging, all meals, snacks, etc. Cheques to be made out to the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. I will accept the cheques on your arrival on Thursday, Sept 10.
Face to Face Mentor Training is cancelled for the Fall of 2020. An announcement about training opportunities will be made shortly.
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