Perhaps you have heard about EfM or know someone who has taken part in this unique four-year small-group formation program based on study and practice in theological reflection. EfM is an international program from the Episcopal Church, supported by Sewanee University in the US. It has assisted more than 120,000 participants in discovering and nurturing their call to Christian service wherever they live, work, and play. As well as reading books on our Bible, Christian history and faith today, one of the main aspects of EfM is to reflect together on Bible passages, our cultures and personal lives to ask how to live in today’s ever-changing world as good Christians. In summer 2025 a new revised curriculum will be launched, which includes some entirely new formation offerings ranging in length from six weeks to one year together with the standard course.
Within the Convocation, we have been running a weekly online EfM group for over 10 years now and have a graduates group that has been meeting monthly for over 4 years. We have had members from many different Christian faiths and countries in our groups over the years, which is something to celebrate as they discover and nurture their call to Christian service.
In January a group of 20 current group members and graduates from the course, met in Paris, at the American Cathedral where we spent time together catching up and sharing our experiences of EfM. It was a special time to meet with some who we have only known on Zoom calls. We were expertly led by EfM UK Director and Trainer, The Rev. Dr. Christopher Halliday.
Now already in April, we are excited to announce highlights of the new program and invite enrollments for the 2025/2026 academic year that will begin in September.
Join us this September as we take this journey together.
For enrolment and more information contact Efm Mentors
Kaye O’Connell kaye.oconnell@gmx.de
Yvonne Cockcroft yvonne@cockcroft.de
Read what others have had to say about their experiences.
Attending Efm is a valuable experience for me, giving me the tools to reflect theologically at this difficult time in history. The study of sacred texts, coupled with group theological reflections allows me to have a more meaningful and active system of approach in my spiritual growth journey and the contribution I can make to the community. By studying the history of the ancient people of Israel, I have had the opportunity to talk about powerful issues such as ethics, politics, integration, diversity, the lust for power vs. the way of love.
In fragile times, knowledge and a system of reflection makes us ready for action.
My experience with EfM has enriched me in so many ways. It is not only what you learn through the reading assignments ranging from the Bible to church history and theology, but also the discussions with the other students that expand your world through hearing their stories and what are faced with every day and how we can be a part of the solution to include their journeys have taught them. It is the interim texts that we all read together that, quite often, focus on marginalized people and helps us to understand and be aware of the problems that they are faced with every day and how we can be part of the solution to include everyone in our Christian family.
It is also the theological reflections that we do together in every session that makes the connection between the God’s Word, our opinions and experiences and the things that influence us in the world we live in today. EfM has broadened my perspective in so many ways and I would recommend it to anyone – those who are starting on a journey of discernment towards a Lay Ministry or if you just want to personally grow in your faith journey.