Differences between EfM Sewanee and EfM Canada
Dear Editor,
While I appreciate you putting an article in the Highway about spiritual autobiographies and mentioning EfM there are inaccuracies in the article.
You may recall from my presentation to Synod last May I talked about Spiritual Autobiographies and the format of EfM. Spiritual Autobiographies start off the year in EfM. Spiritual autobiographies go by the name Spiritual Autobiography and not by the name ‘Stepping Stones.’ Stepping Stones simply is one of the methods, one of many tools, used for Spiritual Autobiography. Spiritual Autobiographies in the context of EfM are used firstly to help individuals to perceive the activity of God in their lives then to build community by learning how to listen to one another and to provide a way to deepen our understanding of Christian Life and ministry.
Participants (as they are called not students) are year one, two, three or four. EfM does not go by years but by themes which go in four year cycles.
The working book for this programme is the Reading and Reflection Guide. There is a four year cycle with a theme to each year.
Volume A : “ Living Faithfully in Your World
Volume B ; “ Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World”
Volume C : “ Living as Spiritually Mature Christians”
Volume D : “ Living into the Journey with God”
Each theme has a specific Spiritual Autobiography. Last year Volume C, which would be equivalent to what you referred to as year three, did not use Stepping Stones, it used the metaphor of an artist’s palette. Volume D, this year, used creating a map to use as a tool for spiritual autobiographies. Spiritual Autobiography tools or formats frequently change with publication of the Reading and Reflection Guide.
There have been a number of changes to the curriculum over the fifty years of EfM. This spring a revised curriculum is being rolled out which will be the fifth revision. There is also going to be a change to program delivery.
The Diocese of Kootenay is the home of EfM Canada which is a national program. The Diocese of Kootenay was awarded the license to administer the program in Canada in 1985. The license is with the School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. The Canadian home office is located in the Diocese of Kootenay’s synod office. In order for other dioceses to use EfM in their dioceses they must have a sponsorship agreement with the diocese of Kootenay.
I would caution you not to use information regarding registration, books, etc from the EfM Sewanee site as Canadian registration is a different format as well as registration dates and some of the textbooks used. If you have questions or would like up to date information about EfM please contact me. I would be more than happy to help you.
Sincerely,
Annette Cowan
Director EfM Canada
210- 380 Leathead Rd.
Kelowna, BC V1X 2H8
