Please read the EFM Newsletter from Sewanee on their website: Newsletter EFM Sewanee

ELAINE GRAHAM'S VISIT A BOOST FOR EfM CANADA

Sponsored by Education for Ministry Canada, British lay theologian Elaine Graham visited British Columbia and Alberta from April 1st-14^th. In Vancouver, she spent a day with faculty and students at the Vancouver School of Theology, delivered a public lecture at St. Marys, Kerrisdale, led a workshop on Theological Reflection at St. Faiths Church, and preached at Christ Church Cathedral on the Sunday. In Calgary, she gave a public lecture on Faith and the City at Christ Church, Elbow Park, before going on to Vernon, where she repeated her Vancouver program for people in the Diocese of Kootenay and the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior. Her presentations were challenging in many ways. The following is a summary of her Vancouver and Vernon presentations.

What are pastoral theology and its closely related discipline practical theology? Until the latter part of the 20^th Century they consisted largely of helpful hints on how to deal with individual problems presented by parishioners. In the 1950s, however, Clinical Pastoral Education for clergy encouraged study of the living documents of peoples lives presented in the course of pastoral counselling. The shortcoming of this was that theology could be eclipsed by psychology, and focus was on individuals rather than the communities of which they were a part. The social activism of the 1960s was largely a response to the growing secularisation of society (underlined by British Prime Minister Harold Wilsons impatience with broad policy as mere theology); but this emphasis on praxis tended to pay insufficient attention to issues of formation and nurture. The 1970s and 1980s were marked by the growth of liberation theology, which used base communities of laypeople for the study of scripture, not to keep people in line, but to encourage and empower the oppressed, and to see the church, not as hierarchy alone, but as the whole people of God. However, the tendency of liberation theology to ally itself with Marxist ideology lost it much official support.

All these movements sprang as efforts to bridge the gap, from the 18^th Century on, between theory and practice, and to overcome the official invisibility of women in the life of the church. People began to see that baptism makes all of us theologians, and the rise of an educated laity encouraged them to reflect on the meaning of their own everyday experiences. Theology began to be done from the ground up, rather than being seen as a package of dogma handed down from on high. The use of action-reflection-action models helped people to see that theology is indeed practical. There was resistance to theological reflection, however, by those who saw it as having the potential to raise questions and undermine hitherto unquestioned assumptions.

Today, however, most people recognise the need for all of us to be theologically educated. A ten-year-old level of Sunday School education is not enough. Theological reflection can help us integrate theory and practice. It does not divert us from loving our neighbours, but helps us do so more effectively, and to see more deeply into the reality of who we are. It encourages us to shatter the stereotypes which limit us and others; but it also involves the risk of breaking out of our comfort zones. It links faith and life, tradition and experience, and calls us to be faithful practitioners. It reminds us that theology is a body of knowledge which encourages Christian virtue and the practice of what is genuinely good for us; it helps us achieve integrity with freedom. All theology arises out of practical concerns (as Pauls New Testament letters remind us). Theology is more a verb than a noun. It is not just a churchy activity, but can be applied to every sphere of life. It can take many forms, such as journaling, story-telling, biblical narrative, corporate theological reflection, public discourse, translating our beliefs into action, and enculturation of universal truths into local societies and customs. Good theological reflection is fun, struggle, calling, costly, useful, graceful, catholic, and of course theological.

We would like to thank Anne Anchor for coordinating the Vancouver visit, Norman Knowles for arrangements in Calgary, and All Saints parish for hosting all three Vernon events and of course our thanks to Elaine Graham for her challenging, stimulating and encouraging presentations.

Congratulations to our 2008 graduates!

Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior

Sheila M. Redding, Cathy M. Wozlowski

Diocese of British Columbia

Amy K. Hamilton, Margaret C. Sherwood, David L. Sinclair, Sylvia V. Sinclair, Marilynn Futer, Desiree W. Chan, Ian R.Q. Dodd,  Lyn A. Vogan, Cathy J. Beise,Jane E. Jennings, Katherine R. Kelly, Theodore C. McLeod - Mentors

Diocese of Calgary

Dennis J. Laughton, Forbes Newman, Tim M. Christison, Heather R. Dumka, Carly J. Grimsen Seligman, Blake E. Kanewischer,Michael A. Rothery, J. David Farrell, Elizabeth M. Madaro, Elizabeth J. McLennan

Diocese of Kootenay

Linda L. Wilson, Claire L. Mapes, Nan K. Prittie, Jennifer M. Mobbs, Joanne E. Simpson, Richard A. Simpson - Mentors

Diocese of Montreal

Geraldine F. Kavanagh, Kevin P. Carlin, Brenda E. MacKenzie, Iva J. Mondor, Gloria C. Augustus,Shirley A. Newell, Anne E. Barnett, Robert T. McLachlan, Yvonne C. Wakeland, William N. Wilson, Karen L. Chalk, Mark J. Rogers - Mentors

Diocese of New Westminster

Gillian McIntyre, Claire L. Prentice, Elizabeth E. Martin, Chris Magrega, Wallace G. Shea, John A. Carne, Stacey K. Jordan-Knox, Linda K. Hodgins, Dawna L. Hodgins, Eilleen Anderson, Kellie A. Warnock, Bev J. Saumier - Mentors

Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

E. Jane Clattenburg, Warren H. Tay, Dorothy I. Tay, Janet V. Mortimer

Diocese of Ottawa

Sally M. Anger, Marie D. Barkley, Glenn E. D. Becksted, Rosann Carr, David G. Hunt, Jane K. Magoon, David R. Magoon, Marilyn F. M. McLaren, Arlene E. Armstrong, Janet I. Graham, Anne C. Hunt, Judy A. Jacques, M. Joan Larocque, Marnie E. Marriott, Shelley R. Prins, Alice E. V. Thompson, Anthony J. Hopkins, Wendy Shaw, David R. Moat, Douglas F. Lewis, Alana C. Rockburne, Craig S. Bowers - Mentor

Diocese of QuAppelle

Basil G. Pogue, Susan R. M. Page, S. Elizabeth Turnbull

Diocese of Ruperts Land

Elizabeth M. Moore, Rene Jamieson

Diocese of Toronto

M. Maud McCarty, Laurie Bickerton, Sandra P. Butler, Cecilia Boudreau

Diocese of Western Newfoundland

Madonna R. Hooper, Lorna Pennell

Congratulations to recently consecrated Bishop Jane Alexander of Edmonton. She is a strong supporter of EFM, and we in turn look forward to supporting her in her new ministry.

We are sad to announce that Johnna Camp has had to resign as Director of EFM at Sewanee due to ill health. She will, however, continue as a trainer and mentor. We thank her for her contributions to EFM and pray for a restoration of her health and strength. We are, however, happy to note that Sissie Wile has been appointed Interim Director in Johnna's place. She has a long and distinguished record with EfM as a Trainer and as Assistant Director. We look forward to her leadership in her new position.

Group Status Reports
Thanks for returning your Group Status Reports. Here are some excerpts:

Trust and safety lead to transformation.
TR provides aha! moments.
Tradition is a living reality.
The education really enhances ministry.
Non-judgmental climate enables growth.
Mentors are not teachers, but encourage us to learn for ourselves.
Year 3 (History) needs more on effects of science and technology on faith.
Need for web links and other resources.
We need to emphasise the baptismal call to ministry which all of us have.
More post-grad programs and support.
Church history offers perspective on current tensions.
We offer mutual support through tough times.
Greater clarity in texts, please.
New members provoke change/renewal, but sometimes a need to adjust our ways.
Mentors need to be prepared for seminars too!
Travel impacts groups (individual absences, or distance travelled just to meet).
Posting of group norms at all meetings helps us keep our commitments.
Spiritual autobiographies develop trust.
Focus on a particular method of TR facilitates understanding and use.
TR enhances our sense of ministry in daily life.
Too much content in year 1, too little in year 2.
Online group enhances sense of community.
Both single- and multi-year groups have pros and cons.

EfM Canada Website

Many of you have asked where you can find additional resources for individual and group study. We recommend that you visit the EfM CANADA website, which is always being updated by one of our Trainers, Chris Ross. In addition to general information, you will find useful links, pages about and for mentors, coordinators and trainers, forms you can download, upcoming events (including training events), tips for students, contact information, and supplemental books and internet resources. You can find it at www.efmcanada.ca.

PLANNED TRAINING EVENTS

Please click on the link to see the training events for EFM-Canada Training Events

N.B. ALL PARTICIPANTS IN TRAINING EVENTS
There have been some “no-shows” at training events. We know some of these were due to unforeseeable circumstances, but others occurred without notice to the Trainer and Coordinator. “No-shows” affect both the planning and the training process, as each event is designed for the group registered. Coordinators also have to arrange for accommodation and meals. “No-shows” cause considerable inconvenience and unrecoverable costs. Participants are expected to arrive on time and stay for the whole event. Certification cannot be granted for only partial attendance.

ENROLMENT PACKAGES ARE OUT! YOU ARE ALL ENCOURAGED TO RECRUIT NEW STUDENTS. DEADLINE FOR FALL REGISTRATION IS JULY 15^TH.

EFM ONLINE IN CANADA
EfM Online is coming to Canada this fall. There will be space for first-year students from any part of Canada who cannot attend a face to face seminar. Together with the mentors, students will take part in an online seminar. The text materials are the same as those used by other groups. The conversation about the readings takes place on a discussion board throughout the week. The group meets in a virtual meeting place for two hours a week to worship and reflect. Students will need to have an adequate computer, be computer literate, and have good access to the internet (DSL or cable server preferred). If you know someone who might be interested in EfM Online please ask them to check out www.efmcanada.ca and get in touch with an online mentor at stapriest@telus.ca. Space is limited so early registration is recommended.

Don't forget the Supplementary Reading list compiled by our Trainer, Patricia Bays. Click on the following link: Supplementary Reading List

An archived copy of the Lent-Easter 2008 Newsletter can be found by clicking HERE

An archived copy of the September 2007 Newsletter can be found by clicking HERE

An archived copy of the Easter- Pentecost 2007 Newsletter can be found by clicking HERE

An archived copy of the Winter 2007 Newsletter can be found by clicking HERE

An archived copy of the September 2006 Newsletter can be found by clicking HERE

An archived copy of the May 2006 Newsletter can be found by clicking HERE

An archived copy of the January 2006 Newsletter can be found by clicking HERE

EFM-Canada operates across Canada as a program of the Diocese of Kootenay, under licence from the Faculty of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. The Bishop of Kootenay is the Right Reverend John Privett. The Director of EFM-Canada is the Reverend Canon Peter Davison. The Executive Coordinator of the program is Mrs. Sheila Mulgrew. Please feel free to contact us with comments, suggestions or enquiries:

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WebSite design and implementation thanks to Chris Ross, EFM trainer
If you have any comments on the site or find any broken links, please contact the webmaster at WebMaster

Last updated: November 12th, 2008