Familiar with EFM or an EFM graduate! Be sure to read the section "Updates for 2025".
St. George’s has had over 30 consecutive years of the distance learning program from the Sewanee School of Theology called Education for Ministry, EFM. EfM is designed for laity who want to deepen their spiritual life through study of the Bible, church history and theology.
As a baptized person, as a lay person, we are all called to be ministers in the Church (Book of Common Prayer page 855); we are called to bear witness to Christ wherever we may be and, according to the gifts given to us, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take our place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.
Discerning God’s call to us requires work. If you’re ready to deepen your spiritual life and find out what God is calling you to do, consider joining us in the Education for Ministry (EfM) program at St George’s in Clifton Park. EfM is a distance learning program from the Sewanee School of Theology. EfM is designed for laity who want to deepen their spiritual life through study of the Bible, church history and theology.
More information is available from mentors, Deacon Maureen Demler (deacon.maureen.demler@gmail.com or 518-369- 3816) and Randy Demler (randall.demler@gmail.com or 518-369-6198).
Updates for 2025
Education for Ministry (EfM) has undergone several changes for the coming year, 2025-26. A fifth year has been added and is open for anyone desiring a taste of EfM, graduates or newbies. The fifth year students will be reading 5 books:
- The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life, by Joan Chittister
- Being Disciples: The Essentials of the Christian Life, by Rowan Williams
- Ladder to the Light, by Steven Charleston
- Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, by Rachel Held
- Church Meets World, by Winnie Varghese.
New text books have been chosen for years 1, 3, and 4.
- Introducing the Old Testament, from Baker Academic (year 1)
- A Short World History of Christianity (year 3)
- The Episcopal Story: Birth and Rebirth (year 3)
- A Primer in Christian Ethics (year 4)
- The Spiritual Way: Classical Traditions and Contemporary Practice (year 4)
Graduates of Education for Ministry are welcome to come back for any year they’d like to study. New students take either the fifth year as above or the study of the Hebrew Scriptures.
We’ll all be reading “God’s Joyful Surprise: Finding Yourself Loved” by Sue Monk Kidd.
