Programmes like Education for Ministry (EFM) and Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC) are administered through the Centre. One-day workshops are also developed to address issues such as Biblical Authority, Spirituality, Sexuality and Pastoral Care.
Education for Ministry is for laity who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Christian faith and reflect on their Christian calling with others in a small group setting. EFM is a four year program, although we sign up for one year at a time. Tuition for one year is $300. In year one we study the Hebrew Scriptures; year 2 The Christian Testament; year 3 Church History; year 4 Theological Choices.
We meet weekly in our seminar group from September to May. The group meets at the time and location that is convenient for them. There is a mentor(s) for each group. The mentor's role is to facilitate the group process, not to be the one with "all the answers". The students are responsible for their own study and learning. When we gather each week, we begin with worship, and then engage in Theological Reflection (connecting our everyday life to what we believe), and then discuss the week's readings together.
At present there are 4 EFM groups in the Diocese of Montreal. Two meet in the West Island, one at Synod Office, and another in Knowlton. More groups will be forming as more people are trained as mentors and as more laity express their interest.
More information can be found by visiting the EFM Canada website.
EFM originated in the University of the South in Sewanee Tennessee, a theological college of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America. The Diocese of Kootenay was invited, in 1985, to promote and manage the programme in all of Canada and EFM–Canada was born. EFM is a world wide programme with students in the Canada, Australia, Central America, Europe, New Zealand, South America the United Kingdom and the USA. To date EFM–Canada has 390 graduates and 415 students in 49 active groups.
Disciples of Christ in Community is a one-year program of 21 sessions designed for the small group in the parish or deanery. It is a program designed to provide an experience in building Christian community while encouraging individual spiritual growth. It began in 1975 at Trinity Church, New Orleans and is now administered by The School of Theology Programs Center at The University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee. DOCC is a companion program to the Education for Ministry program.
Each session is in two parts: a presentation led by either clergy or theologically trained laypersons who have attended a DOCC conference, and small group discussion led by trained laity. Meetings last about 1 1/2 hours.
The specific goals of DOCC are to help participants:
– Experience a deeper spiritual life
– Learn the basics of the faith
– Develop a greater commitment to Jesus Christ
– Experience being part of a caring community
– Learn to enhance particular skills, such as communication and active listening
– Feel challenged to identify and exercise their ministry within the church and the world.
The DOCC web page gives more information.
In the Diocese of Montreal we are planning to host a training conference in 2001 so that interested laity and clergy may receive the training necessary to bring the program to their parish or deanery. If you are one of those interested persons, please contact the Centre for Lay Education. This project is being sponsored by the Bishop's Action Appeal.
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