Applying EfM

17Dec
Bind up the testimony, seal the teaching among my disciples. I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.
-Isaiah 8:16-17


The writer assigned for today was unable to make the deadline, so the only thing to do is to pray!


Education for Ministry (EfM) is a small group seminar offered through the University of the South that guides students through four years of curriculum encompassing The Hebrew Scriptures, New Testament, Church History and Christian Theology.


Though that sounds like a tall order, it isn't even the most important aspect of the seminar. The real thrust of the program is learning to grapple with what we read in Scripture and to see ways to apply it to our daily lives as a group. To stay in conversation with one another and really listen through our differences for the Holy to emerge. Not to agree or disagree, but always to be open to what the Spirit is saying. And always, to pray.


We begin and end each seminar with prayer: some seasonal, some from the Book of Common Prayer, some from other writers or admired liturgies, and some original prayers. The following beautiful Advent Prayer was written and shared recently by Keith Jordan who among many other things (member of the Vestry and Finance Committee, Usher, Eucharistic Visitor and Substitute teacher at Trinity School) is in Year 4 of EfM. It is offered today with gratitude.


Musical Reflection - Traditional: Maria durch ein Dornwald ging, Albrecht Mayer · Markus Becker



Gracious and loving God,

As we celebrate this sacred season of Advent, 

we give thanks for the many blessings You have poured into our lives:

For the gift of this community of learning and faith,

For the wisdom shared and the bonds formed,

And for Your constant presence, guiding us on our journeys.


As we light the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love,

May our hearts be kindled with gratitude for the light You have given us,

And may that light inspire us to reflect Your grace in the world.


Lord, in this season of anticipation, we remember those who wait in darkness:

The lonely and the grieving,

The hungry and the homeless,

The oppressed and the weary.

Teach us to hold them in our prayers and our actions,

That we may be instruments of Your mercy and justice.

Prepare our hearts, O Lord, to welcome Christ anew,

That we may embody His love and truth in all we do.

Keep us mindful of the privilege to learn, to serve, and to grow together,

And send us forth as bearers of Your hope in the world.

In the name of Your Son, who is our light and salvation, we pray. Amen.


-Keith Jordan

Bible StudyGratitudePrayer

Posted by Maria Elliott

Maria Elliott has been Trinity since 1994, first as a parishioner and then for sixteen years establishing the office of stewardship and development, and currently as the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life. 

WIth a degree in Music and Business from Drake University in her native state of Iowa, Maria went first to New York to work for a concert artist management and then for the Arts department at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  At the Cathedral, Maria was confirmed, met and married her husband, The Reverend Michael Kuhn, and began an accidental career in the Episcopal Church. She has served on the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, the boards of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, as a Stephen Minister, and currently Education for Ministry Mentor.

Maria’s interests include playing the oboe in the New Orleans Civic Symphony and she is currently training to be a Narrative Enneagram mentor. Her daughters, Hallie Wilkins and Sophie Bedaña are Trinity School alumni. Maria has two grandchildren, Celeste and Alden Wilkins.

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