Growing into a new understanding of “ministry” as something in which all the baptized participate, group members grow in their confidence to reflect and consider both on their own and in a group.
By Rev. Canon Val Kenyon
Whenever I am able to attend an EfM meeting, it is always a blessing!
These groups are filled with curious people, interested in broadening their understanding of their faith and the context and stories behind the words and the people of the Bible, in time coming to a new appreciation of them both. They are motivated by a wish to learn how to live into and out of the words in Scripture in a modern world, and how to face modern challenges with ancient wisdom.
In these groups I see people willing to risk learning something new and being uncomfortable for the sake of their faith, committed to persevering long enough with kingdom principles to live into new expressions of what a Christian’s life looks like in 2023.
Growing into a new understanding of “ministry” as something in which all the baptized participate, group members grow in their confidence to reflect and consider both on their own and in a group. Because of this they are able to support the ministries offered within their parishes, which is especially important in these days where so many of us are wondering as communities, what is God asking of us and how we might fit into all that God is already doing in our world.
Those who attend EfM, like all of us, have their limits, but with each passing week they develop their capacity to stretch into and grapple with the material presented to them. In any given week this same material may leave them still wondering, yet at the same time inspired to press on. They wrestle with concepts, language and interpretations, ask many, many questions, and learn to listen to the voice of their neighbour. For many, they find their voice. Most importantly, they are willing to get things wrong without losing heart. They know that to grow one must wonder, and to grow well, one must wonder with others.
They are delighted to find that their questions are shared by others, and that their journey does not have to be done on their own. Their experience has taught them that they are never, ever too old to learn something new, or to be used by God in some way. They have seen and are confident that God’s love, mercy, justice and truth are new every morning, if you’re listening.
Sound like a group you’d like to join?
If you would like to learn more about all that is available to you at Education for Ministry, please reach out at any time to either Libi Clifford, the Diocese of Huron EfM Coordinator or myself Val Kenyon, Huron’s EfM Animator at valeriekenyon@diohuron.org as we would be pleased to hear from you.
Dates for upcoming Open House sessions will be announced next month.
Rev. Dr. Canon Val Kenyon is EFM Animator in Huron.