EfM Diocesan Coordinator Promotional & Connection Efforts

We are very grateful to our coordinators for their continued work to promote the program and stay connected with their folks during the past few years. From the beginning of the pandemic until now, coordinators’ creative and willing work has helped us remain a presence in the Episcopal dioceses and beyond. Here are a few of the ways that coordinators have shared EfM with others. We hope more of you will tell us how you have promoted the program. Send your stories and photos to Cindy Hargis at chargis@sewanee.edu.

North and East Carolina Zoom-based Forums for Mentors

North Carolina coordinator Marcia Moore reported that she and her mentors had an excellent Zoom-based meeting, which was very well attended. Marcia said, “I believe everyone was just so happy to lay eyes on one another! We shared information and tips, talked about EfM via Zoom, caught up on each other’s news, and talked a bit about recruiting.” Marcia planned another Zoom meeting for February, and the group set up a Dropbox account for North Carolina EfM mentors. “…we’ll be talking about that and helping everyone feel comfortable with using it. It contains all kinds of readings, documents, ideas, resources, etc. We want everyone to be able to use it and add things to it,” Marcia said.

East Carolina coordinator Lisa Richey also gathered nine of her mentors via Zoom in July. She reports that there were “rich questions and some answers, along with meaningful insights and suggestions.” Lisa shared the group’s questions, insights, and suggestions with EfM staff members. The group agreed that more regularly scheduled mentor Zoom gatherings would be very helpful. Lisa plans to offer these opportunities quarterly.

Mississippi Display at Annual Meeting

Mississippi coordinator Deanna Eure sent us this photo of the display she created at the annual meeting. Her offering is colorful, simple, and elegant.

Order an EfM T-Shirt and Contribute to the EfM Scholarship Fund

East Carolina coordinator Lisa Richey made this fundraising effort possible with former EfM Director Karen Meridith’s approval. All profits from these T-shirt sales go to the general EfM Scholarship Fund. Check out the shirts here: https://www.bonfire.com/efm-wear.

Mentors and Prospective Participants, Be Sure to Connect with your Diocesan Coordinator

Your diocesan coordinator is eager to develop a relationship with you. Coordinators know where groups meet in the diocese, both onsite and online. They are happy to try to help you connect with a seminar group. Mentors - coordinators can be a wonderful source of support for you. They serve the program as liaisons between EfM constituents and EfM and diocesan staff. Feel encouraged to introduce yourself to your diocesan coordinator and let him or her know what you need help with. Find a direct email link to your diocesan coordinator here: https://theology.sewanee.edu/files/resources/efm-coordinator.pdf. Know that a few dioceses do not have coordinators in place right now. We are working to fill those positions. If you know someone in your diocese with EfM experience and strong organization, management, promotional, hospitality, and communication skills, let Cindy Hargis know. EfM’s executive director and your bishop appoint coordinators collaboratively.