FAQs

FAQs

How do I Join?

To join a group or for further information please contact the administrator, Leigh at administrator@efm.org.uk, the group mentor if known or call  07745624323.

If your interested in becoming a group mentor please contact the Director, Christopher Halliday at director@efm.org.uk

How Does it Work?

There are now two pathways into EfM.  Both pathways run alongside each other and both use Pathwright an online learning platform to access a variety of  resources including videos, podcasts and blogs.

The one-year Wide Angle offers an overview of EfM, and participants will read small portions of the four-year programme. Built on the core practices of study, living in community, regular prayer and worship, theological reflection, and vocational discernment, it is designed to offer the same experience as the traditional Classic programme.

The Wide Angle might be for you if you want to:

      • try EfM without the four-year commitment of the Classic programme;
      • use a variety of learning resources, including videos, podcasts and blogs;
      • limit preparation time for our weekly meetings to 60-90 minutes.

In addition, and as in the past, the Classic route offers a four-year programme where participants enrol for one year at a time.  

The four Paths of Study:

      • Year 1 – the Hebrew Scriptures;
      • Year 2 – the New Testament;
      • Year 3 – Christian History;
      • Year 4 – Christian Ethics and Spirituality.

Every year we focus on a different theme.  For 2025-2026 the theme will be “The Journey with God”. Participants completing all four years receive a certificate in theological education from the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.

All participants commit themselves to:

      • Explore by reading and reflection in preparation for the weekly sessions;

Reflect and Respond in their attendance and participation in the weekly gathering; enabling them to share experiences, ideas and questions in a small learning group where norms of confidentiality, respect, diversity and trust are observed.

Where and When?

    • Edinburgh meet at St John’s Church 6.45pm on Monday.
    • Saddlleworth meet at St Thomas Church, Delph, 1.30pm – 3.00pm on Monday.
    • Saddleworth online group meet on Wednesday 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
    • Online group meet on Monday 6pm – 7.30pm.  Please note that this group runs from January to December.  

What Books Will We Read?

The Bible is our key text.  In addition, each year has a different focus with its own set texts. All participants will also study and engage with so-called “common lessons”. You can find the year-by-year texts (and book covers) here and the common lessons here, or listed below:

For the one-year “Wide Angle” programme:

      • Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Againby Rachel Held Evans (Nelson Books, 2018)
      • Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Lifeby Rowan Williams (W.B. Eerdmans, 2016)
      • Church Meets Worldby Winnie Varghese (Morehouse Publishing, 2016)
      • Ladder to the Light: An Indigenous Elder’s Meditations on Hope and Courage by Steven Charleston (Broadleaf Books, 2021)
      • The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Lifeby Joan Chittister (Convergent Books 2021)

For Year 1 of the “Classic” programme:

      • Introducing the Old Testament: A Historical, Literary and Theological Surveyby Rolf A. Jacobson and Michael J. Chan (Baker Academic, 2023)
      • Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter, Expanded Second Editionby Lindsay Hardin Freeman (Forward Movement, 2023)

For Year 2:

      • Mind the Gap: How the Jewish Writings between the Old and New Testament Help Us Understand Jesusby Matthias Henze (Fortress Press, 2017)
      • Introduction to the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey,Second Edition by Mark Allan Powell (Fortress Press, 2018).

For Year 3:

      • A Short World History of Christianity, Revised Editionby Robert Bruce Mullen (Westminster John Knox Press, 2014)
      • The People’s Church: A History of the Church of Englandby Jeremy Morris (

For Year 4:

      • A Primer in Christian Ethics: Christ and the Struggle to Live Wellby Luke Bretherton (Cambridge University Press, 2023)
      • The Spiritual Way: Classical Traditions and Contemporary Practice by Philip F. Sheldrake (Liturgical Press, 2009)

Common Texts for all years:

      • A Bible that includes the Apocrypha texts, for example the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation
      • God’s Joyful Surprise: Finding Yourself Lovedby Sue Monk Kidd (HarperOne, 2017)

What is the Cost of EfM?

The course fees for 2025-26: 

                              EfM Wide Angle: £40

                              EfM Classic: Year 1: £40 

                                                     Years 2-4 £80

Fees can be paid in full at the start of the course or monthly by bank transfer.  

Participants are also responsible for obtaining their own copies of the books that we use.

If cost may be an issue for you please mention this to your group mentor or course administrator at administrator@efm.org.uk

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