You're Invited to Participate in EfM

This is an exciting year for EfM.  It is now 50 years old and 120,000 participants all over the world have been part of this journey. It began as an offering to Lay people to have a seminary level training in Theology.  What would the Church look like if this were to happen? We are now at the point of knowing. 

EfM is now in its 5th revision.  All of the materials and books have been changed and the Reading and Reflection Guide is now an online document.  The School of Theology at the University of the South was serious about educating lay people.  The education is evolving and Lay people and Clergy continue to come and praise the experience.  

The desire to make meaning of our lives, to understand our relationship with our God, to uncover our gifts so that we might use them in God’s creation, and to be in communion with one another as we discern our purpose for this life, has kept this program alive and thriving. 

It is a 4-year study program; we only commit to one year at a time.  We follow the Benedictine, Episcopal Journey of Prayer, Work and Study. We generally meet for 3 hours a week for 36 weeks a year.  There are about 3 hours of study to prepare for each seminar.  Most groups start in September and finish in June.  There are a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 12 in each class.  The rewards are deep, moving, and transforming.  It is one of the few places where you can talk openly about your beliefs and stories of faith without judgement. Evolving, growing, changing and maturing into our lives with Jesus is the purpose.

You are the only evaluator of your learning; there are no tests or grades.  The only expectation from your Seminar Participants is that you show up.  

We look forward to hearing your voice among us.

Contact one of the Churches that are offering EfM Courses this year 2025-26 

Church of the Ascension

13216 Detroit Rd., Lakewood, Oh 44107; 216-521-8727

Mentor; John Mohlar johnmohlar@sbcglobal.net 216-688-5774

Mentor; Keira Dodd keiradodd@yahoo.com 216-225-6081 

Expect to meet on Monday nights from 6:00-9:00

St. Andrews Episcopal Church /St. James Episcopal Church, Painesville

7989 Little Mountain Rd., Mentor OH 44060;  440-255-8842

Mentor: Rev. Lisa O’Rear

Expect to meet on 

St Barnabas Episcopal Church

468 Bradley Rd, Bay Village OH 44136; 440-871-6200

Mentor: Susan Meuler susanlmueller@me.com

Co-Mentor: Dr. Rich Oldrieve oldrieve@aol.com Please, text Rich before calling 440-463-4031

Expects to continue on Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:00 This may change in 2025.

Christ Episcopal Church

3445 Warrensville Center Rd., Shaker Heights, OH 44122; 216-991-3431

Mentor: Sarah Melvey  sarahmelvey@gmail.com 757-598-1245

Co Mentor: Lynn Winkelman

Expect to meet on Thursday, Evenings from 6:00-8:00.  25-26 year will begin on August 28,2025

Christ Church Episcopal

21Aurora St., Hudson, Oh 44236;  330-650-4359

Mentor: Janet Daniels janetdaniels@gmail.com   

Mentor: Medge Karam midgekaram@gmail.com  330-554-2866

Expect to meet on Monday 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM 25-26 year to begin September 8 2025

Christ Episcopal Church

2627 Atlantic St. NE, Warren OH 44483

Mentor; Mary Jane maryjane.q@gmail.com 330-651-4484

Co Mentor; Meg Silver margaret.silver@columbianaschools.org 330-501-8649

Expect to meet on 

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Ashland

1515 Mifflin Ave. Ashland, OH 44805; 419-281-1420

Mentor: Dawn Peters dawn.e.peters@gmail.com 614-378-0235

Expect to meet on Tuesday 6:00-9:00 PM

St. Michaels on the Hill Episcopal Church

4718 Brittany Rd. Toledo, OH 43615;  419-531-1616

Mentor: Rev. Gayle Cantinella  revgayle@lovelearnserve.org

Expect to meet on

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

2747 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44106;  216-932-5815

Mentor: Christina Chance

St. Paul’s will not have classes in 2025-26

Trinity Cathedral

2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 44115; 216-771-3630

Mentor: Diane Hexter efm@dohio.org 440-590-5950

Co-Mentor: Michael Wells m.wells@csuohio.edu  

Expect to meet on Monday evenings from 6:00-9:00 Seminar will start on Sept. 8, 2025

The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, EfM Coordinator; Diane Hexter 440-590-5950

Please, call me with any questions.  I do call back if I don’t pick up the phone.

All people are welcome to participate in EfM courses.  Christians are most often the people who choose to do this since it is a study of Christian history and theology.  The dialogue of Theology opens the door to a wider experience of our life with God. Please do not hesitate to invite all people who are interested.

For more information about EfM please go to Linktr.ee/efm.sewanee.edu

The University of the South is updating and changing its website, curriculum, reading materials, and communication process.  Please, be kind to our brothers and sisters who are working diligently to make this a better learning experience for all of us.

 Lakewood, Church of the Ascension (6380) 

• Meets Monday evenings from 6:00-9:00 pm. 
• Mentors: Diane Hexter and John Mohlar 

 Shaker Heights, Christ Church

• Meets Monday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm. 
• Contact: Sarah Melvey

Youngstown, St. John’s Church (6430) 

• Contact the parish for more information.
• Mentor: Gayle L. Catinella