ESFM Year Four, Semester One

The EDNIN School for Faith and Ministry (ESFM) offers monthly classes to a blend of in-person and online students. Gathering in person one Saturday a month, mostly at the Wawasee Retreat Center in Syracuse, this semester of ESFM will offer courses on academic topics in in Hebrew Scriptures (in English Translation!), Applied Theology, Church History, and the History of the Prayer Book. The materials have been created by the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest and classes will be led by local facilitators. Whether you are a lay person pursuing spiritual and intellectual enrichment, someone engaged in the process for ordination, or an ordained person seeking to continue your education, you are welcome to become a part of ESFM!

New this semester is Faithful Foundations for Buildings and Grounds. If you want to strengthen your ability to experience God’s loving presence in your work to maintain and repair the structure, mechanicals, furnishings and landscape of your church, this discussion group may be for you! We will address topics like Finding God in the (return to) Functioning, Refurbishment as an Act of Hospitality, Seeking and Serving Christ both in the One who Reports and the One who Repairs, Faithful Planning, and How to Keep your Head when Things Fall Apart. This class will meet on Zoom at a time that works for all enrolled.

ESFM dates for the Fall-Winter Semester will be: Oct 3, Nov 14, Dec 4, Jan 8, and Feb 6. The October and December - February sessions will be held in-person at the Wawasee Episcopal Center in Syracuse, IN and the November session at the Cathedral of St. James in South Bend, IN. Zoom participation is always an option whenever weather or illness or the impossibility of bi-location require it! There will be two classes running at the same time in each of three slots:

10 a.m.-12 p.m. (ET)
A—Hebrew Scriptures I: Exodus through Jeremiah ($250)
B—Applied Theology: God, Scripture, Creation, Sin, and Redemption ($250)

1-3 p.m. (ET)
A—Church History: Early Church through the Reformation ($250)
B—Prayer Book History and Practice ($250)

3:30-5:30 p.m. (ET)
A—Historical-Critical Theory and Practice – Hebrew Scriptures ($250)
B—Faithful Foundations for Buildings and Grounds* ($250)
*Online; After the first session, times will be decided upon by the class

For each session, participants will read assigned texts and watch video lectures beforehand. They then will come together at Wawasee (or the Cathedral or online) for facilitated discussion and other activities aimed at engaging the material more deeply. Afterwards, a written assignment will help learning take root and grow. Those completing the five sessions and their related assignments will receive a certificate of participation.

Register by September 20 so that you may receive log in credentials in time to prepare for the first class. Some financial assistance is available.

Contact

The Rev. Canon Terri Bays, Ph.D.
Missioner to the Ordinary
Email