EFM Mentors guide and facilitate the seminar group in all aspects of the program and administer the group for the School of Theology Programs Center at Sewanee. Persons seeking to become mentors should have:

a desire to be a companion/guide to people as they engage in an intensive theological education program an ability to articulate thoughts and feelings, show understanding of thoughts and feelings of others, respond effectively to conflict and group dynamics, and be a facilitator rather than a teacher

maturity in a life of faith, comfort with the diversity of our rich Christian Tradition, and familiarity with the study of biblical criticism willingness and ability to manage administrative responsibilities in a timely fashion.

Training for mentors is on-site, intensive, and requires 18 contact hours. Full participation is mandatory. The purpose of mentor training is for participants to discern whether they have the desire and skills to be a mentor for the EFM program, and to provide ongoing training and support for experienced mentors who have an active group. The event provides an opportunity for an EfM trainer to evaluate the skills of trainees and to accredit those who qualify. Accreditation is not automatic.

There are two levels of training: Mentor training (basic and in-service) and formation training.

Basic/in-service training covers the nature and purpose of EFM, the four-source model of theological reflection, the place and purpose of spiritual autobiographies, group skills and resources to resolve problems, worship as an integral part of a group, administrative procedures, recruiting and starting a group, and conducting an EfM seminar.

Persons who may attend include anyone interested in becoming a mentor; a mentor who has attended mentor training only once and needs to update accreditation; an EfM mentor whose accreditation is out of date; a person who wishes to replace a mentor who is leaving a group and needs accreditation; someone who wants more information but may not be ready or willing to mentor yet ("for information only").

Formation training is designed for the experienced, active EFM mentor who would like to work more intensively on one particular aspect of his or her formation as a mentor. It is open only to active EfM mentors who have trained no fewer than two times previously and have been recommended by a trainer to attend formation for their next cycle of accreditation. Some topics include Advanced Theological Reflection; Spirituality; Living With Conflict; Myers-Briggs; Experiential Learning; Equipping for Ministry; Power and Authority; Worship; and Transition in the Midst of a Changing World.

Mentor training in the Dioceses of Maryland and Washington is held in June at the Claggett Center in Buckeystown MD. We plan on multiple groups each year, including both basic and formation events. Deadline for registration is in mid-May and the cost of approximately $300 covers all materials, room for 2 nights and 6 meals (beginning with dinner Thursday and ending with lunch Saturday) and (of course) the trainers!

All training will start at 1:00 PM on Thursday and end with lunch on Saturday.

Registration Information on the Mentor Training Event is now available. Registration Forms are available here

When you register, please advise the Diocese of Washington co-coordinators, Lee Puricelli or Prescott Bullard.

Training events are also held at Sewanee every month. You may also attend training events in another diocese.