Licensed Lay Ministry in East Tennessee
All baptized Christians are called to ministry. The Episcopal parish and its surrounding community are stocked full of opportunities to answer those calls. Some of you, however, are called to be more deeply formed for specific ministries and licensed for more confidence and credibility in the practice in your parish.
The Episcopal Church in East Tennessee has dedicated staff and other resources to the discernment, formation, support, and licensing of lay ministers for more than two decades. The challenges of the recent pandemic slowed traditional, local formation while also creating opportunities to partner with other institutions and find innovative ways to provide instruction. We can now offer numerous formats for education of lay ministers.
To Attend, contact Beverly Hurley Hill, Canon for Mission & Lay Ministry at (205) 213-6640 or bhurleyhill@dioet.org or Emily Kirk, Parish Support Specialist at (865) 966-2110 or ekirk@dioet.org. Please note that all classes have a minimum and maximum number of students, so timely contact is critical to assure access to the various offerings. The deadline to make contact through a form has passed, so direct contact is necessary.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER & VISITOR
In addition to training that is provided by each of our parishes, we now offer an alternative one-hour facilitated training online for Eucharistic Minister (previously called Chalice Bearer) and Eucharistic Visitor (taking Communion from the service of Eucharist to those who are not well enough to attend).
Eucharistic Minister – Free
Saturday, September 16, 2023, 10-11am ET online, curriculum provided by ChurchNext and facilitated by Sarah Hess, MDiv
Spring 2024 date TBD
Eucharistic Visitor – Free
Saturday, September 30, 2023, 10-11am ET online, curriculum provided by ChurchNext facilitated by Sarah Hess, MDiv
Spring 2024 date TBD.
WORSHIP LEADER
As some parishes offer alternative services to our Sunday morning Eucharist, we are leaning into more lay leaders of worship, especially the Daily Offices. In addition to training provided by each of our parishes, we now offer two different online classes.
Worship Leader – $100**
Sundays, September 17, October 8, and October 29, 2023, 7:30-9pm ET online, taught by M. Milner Seifert for Bexley-Seabury Seminary
[again Jan 28-Mar 23, 2024, and Oct 13 – Nov 9, 2024]
Worship Leader – Free
Saturdays, October 14, October 21, and October 28, 2023, 9-11am ET online, curriculum provided by ChurchNext and facilitated by Sarah Hess, MDiv
Spring 2024 date TBD
EVANGELIST FACILITATOR
The diocese offered one-day workshops on Evangelism in the Fall of 2019 and again in 2022, leveraging members of the Presiding Bishop’s staff for Evangelism. If you or someone in your parish would like to inspire, encourage, and lead your community toward bolder proclamation of God’s Good News, then we have an opportunity for you to be formed and licensed to lead evangelism ministries. Please note that Foundations in Scripture are required before this course.
Evangelist Facilitator – $150**
Mondays, October 2, October 16, and November 6, 2023, plus 3 additional optional sessions, 6-8 pm ET, online, taught by Jerusalem Greer, The Episcopal Church Staff Officer for Evangelism, for Bexley-Seabury Seminary
[again Jan 14 – Feb 24, 2024, and Oct 6 – Nov 11, 2024]
PREACHER
With growing acceptance across the Episcopal church, we also provide opportunities to form lay Preachers for our parishes and diocese. We have several opportunities for those called to share the gospel from the lens of the laity. Please note that Foundations in Scripture are required before these courses.
Preacher – $100**
Saturday kickoff, August 26, 2023 – students and instructor will build out remaining calendar through May 2024 to best suit the group, 10am-1pm ET, in person, taught by The Rev. Amy Morehous at the Diocesan House in Knoxville
Preacher – $150**
Wednesdays, October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, and November 29 7pm ET, online, taught by The Rev. Susan Ironside for Bexley-Seabury Seminary
[again Apr 28 – Jun 29, 2024, and Oct 6 – Dec 7, 2024]
Preacher – $100**
Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 dates TBD, in person, the Second Cohort facilitated by East Tennesseans for the Episcopal Preaching Foundation (EPF) – Lay Preacher Training Initiative
SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION
Foundations in Scripture are required before taking courses for Evangelist Facilitator and Preacher and is highly recommended for those to be licensed as a Worship Leader. We are excited to announce local and remote opportunities to receive foundational instruction.
Local Formation in Chattanooga, TN – $100**
The minimum number of students were not achieved. Class is cancelled.
Saturdays, September 9, October 7, November 4, December 2, 2023, then January 6, January 27, February 24, March 30, April 27, and May 25, 2024, 9am-12:30pm ET, in person at Grace Church, Chattanooga, instructed by The Rev. Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Wright.
Local Formation in Knoxville, TN – Free
The minimum number of students were not achieved. Class is cancelled.
Tuesdays, August 29, September 12, September 26, October 10, October 24, November 7, November 21, and December 5, 2023, for Old Testament then January 9, January 23, February 13, February 27, March 12, March 26, April 9, and April 23, 2024 , for New Testament, 7-9 pm ET, in person at The Diocesan House, Knoxville, curriculum provided by ChurchNext and The Bible Project, facilitated by Brother Andrew Aelred Morehead, OC.
Local Formation in Johnson City, TN – $100**
The minimum number of students were not achieved. Class is cancelled.
Thursdays, September 7, September 21, October 5, October 19, November 2, November 16, November 30, December 14, 2023, then January 11, January 25, February 8, February 22, March 7, March 21, April 4, and April 18, 2024, 6-8 pm ET, in person at St. John’s, Johnson City, instructed by Dr. Adam Bean.
Education for Ministry (EfM) – $650**
Years 1 & 2 of the four-year program offered by The School of Theology at The University of the South, Sewanee, meet the minimum requirement of a foundation in holy scripture. There are numerous EfM classes throughout East Tennessee, both in person & online. These classes meet on various days of the week and at various times. To find an EfM class near you, please contact our diocesan EfM Coordinator, Adam Wilson, at adam@standrewsmaryville.org.
Pathways for Baptismal Living – $300**
This Chicago seminary offers three subjects over 12 online sessions that meet the minimum requirement for a foundation in holy scripture.
Foundations for Baptismal Living (1 of 3)
Saturdays, September 8 & September 15, 5-6:30 pm, and September 29, 2023, 5-7 pm ET, online, taught by Liz Magill for Bexley-Seabury Seminary
[again Jan 7 – Feb 3, 2024, and Sep 8 – Oct 5, 2024]
Engaging God’s Story (2 of 3)
Wednesdays, October 4, October 11, October 18, and October 25, 2023, 8-9:30 pm ET, online, taught by Vicki Garvey for Bexley-Seabury Seminary
[again Feb 11 – Mar 9, 2024, and Oct 6 – Nov 7, 2024]
Introducing Theology and Ethics (3 of 3)
Sunday, October 29, 5-6:30p, ET then Thursdays, November 2, November 9, November 16, and November 30, 2023, 7:30-9 pm ET, online, taught by Timothy Maness for Bexley-Seabury Seminary
[again Apr 7 – May 4, 2024, and Nov 3 – Dec 7, 2024]
COURSE FEES
** Fees listed are largely subsidized by the diocese.
- Fees for online classes with Bexley-Seabury Seminary are published at 50% of the rate that will be charged; therefore you must contact us for a discount code before registering.
- Access to the ChurchNext classes is paid for by the diocese, is being offered for free, and is facilitated by a local minister in East Tennessee as we experiment with this resource to determine the level of engagement we might have in coming years.
- EfM costs $325 per year plus books, and there are scholarships available where needed from The School of Theology at the University of the South, as well as the Diocese of East Tennessee.
- Local formation instructors are supported with an honorarium and reimbursed for their travel, so fees for those classes help the diocese cover a portion of the expense.