The Master’s jacket isn’t the only notable item that is green. St. Augustine’s liturgical colors on Sundays will be green until Christ the King Sunday, which is followed by the Advent season. Yes, we have entered into the longest period in the liturgical calendar known as Ordinary Time. We have already experienced a shorter period of Ordinary Time between the Epiphany and Lenten seasons. This period which draws it name from the use of ordinal numbers to mark the passage of time, is anything but ordinary. Many of the Gospel readings during this period, tell less about the life of Jesus, but emphasize more on his teachings. This time offers us an opportunity to reflect on the meaning that Jesus has on the entirety of our lives.
This Sunday we will be recognizing current and past students of the Education for Ministry (EfM) program, which meets Tuesday’s evenings at St. Augustine. When each person is baptized into the body of Christ, the baptized is called to ministry. Education for Ministry provides students a solid foundation in discerning and implementing that ministry while enhancing their faith in all aspects of their life. The spiritual core of EfM is the theological reflection, which enables one to examine their lives through a theological lens.
The EFM group is designed to be small, consisting of 6-12 persons of diverse backgrounds, from various Episcopal Churches, other denominations, or none. The group reminds one of a “one-room schoolhouse” in that members represent each of the four years: Old Testament, New Testament, Church History and Theology. The setting is casual, but structured, guided by qualified mentors. The members of the group bond throughout the year as each member of the group contributes. The experience is intense, interactive and spiritually enriching as well as personally revealing. Although this is a four-year program, commitment is only an annual commitment. However, most students who begin the program graduate four years later.
Prayerfully consider whether EfM would serve to growing your faith this year. If you would like to discus this program further, please talk to any of our current and past students, Michael Gaynor (mentor) or myself.
Deacon John Warner