education for ministry groups
Summer is the usual time of year when Education for Ministry (EfM) groups enroll for the fall, and most begin in the fall. If you’ve been thinking about beginning this enriching curriculum of study and reflection, please contact a mentor in your area, or contact Marcia Moore, 336-202-6516, the diocesan EfM coordinator. You can also find additional information and many resources on the EfM website.
Groups are scheduled both in the daytime and evenings; currently, some meet in person and some virtually, and several groups are a “hybrid,” mixing in-person and virtual meetings to meet the needs of participants. There are also many online groups made up of participants from around the U.S., available through the EfM website.
Most groups welcome anyone from any church–realizing that different meeting days or evenings are better for some than others. It is also a great opportunity to study and pray with people from other congregations.
CONTACT
The Rev. Kelly Ryan
Canon Missioner for Discipleship
The Rev. Kelly Ryan
Missioner for Discipleship
984-263-5423
EMAIL
Kelly serves diocesan congregations as the missioner for discipleship. The position was created as part of, and is made possible by, the $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. the diocese received in October 2024 to reconceive the way it supports congregations as they seek to form disciples of all ages. Instead of traditional programming, the project is designed to spark congregational imagination around intergenerational worship and its connection to holistic Christian formation, to support connections among congregations, and to equip and empower congregational leaders to design and lead inclusive, sensory-rich worship rooted in The Episcopal Church’s liturgical traditions.
Kelly previously served at Duke Divinity School as director of the Thriving Congregations Coordination Program and as senior director of Communications and executive editor for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, as well as a communications coach for Lilly Endowment grantees. For more than two decades, she has served children and their families as a catechist, tutor, mentor and hospital volunteer.
Kelly was ordained a vocational deacon in 2024. For two years, she served as deacon and children’s minister at St. Joseph’s, Durham. In early 2026, she began serving as chaplain to Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson. She holds a Master of Divinity, a certificate in Christian Education, and an MA in Christian Practice from Duke Divinity School, as well as a BA in journalism and political science from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
EFM Groups in the Diocese of North Carolina
CHARLOTTE
- St. Martin’s hosts a Tuesday evening program, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.:
- Co-mentored by Araminta Johnson and the Rev. Armand LaVallee
- Contact Araminta Johnston, 704-340-1264
- Christ Church hosts two EfM groups:
- Wednesday mornings
- Co-mentored by Virginia Anderson and Tere Ey
- Contact Virginia Anderson, 704-607-5098
- Friday mornings, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Co-mentored by Jenny Beaumont and Natalie Akin
- Contact Jenny Beaumont
- Wednesday mornings
- St. Peter’s hosts a hybrid EfM groups:
- Second Sundays following 11 a.m. service- In person
- All other Sundays, 6:30 p.m.: On Zoom
- Mentored/ Contact Paula Savich (828-467-3188)
CONCORD
- All Saints’ hosts a Monday evening group, 6-8:30 p.m.:
- Co-mentored by Christiana Holyer and Lisa Brandyberry
- Contact Christiana Holyer, 704-271-6674
DURHAM
- St. Philip’s hosts a Tuesday morning group, 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m.
- On Zoom
- Co-mentored by Paula Lombardi and Robin Kneeburg
- Contact Paula Lombardi, 704-277-8761
GREENSBORO
- St. Andrew’s hosts a Tuesday evening group, 6-8:30 p.m.
- Mentored by Brenda Swearingin
- Contact Brenda Swearingin
- Holy Trinity hosts a Wednesday morning group, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Mentored by Libby Haile
- Contact Libby Haile, 336-314-1022
- St. Patrick’s hosts a Tuesday evening group, 7 p.m.:
- Co-mentored by Mark Fowler and Kat Sykes
- Contact Mark Fowler, 704-500-3263
RALEIGH
- St. Michael’s hosts a Thursday evening group, 6-8:30 p.m.
- Co-mentored by Barbara Barron and Phil Lambe
- Contact Barbara Barron (919-606-8162)
- Nativity hosts a Mondays evening group, 7 p.m.
- Mentored by Jeremy Clos
- Contact Jeremy Clos, 919-846-8338, ext 203
RALEIGH
- St. Michael’s hosts a Thursday evening group, 6-8:30 p.m.
- Co-mentored by Barbara Barron and Phil Lambe
- Contact Barbara Barron (919-606-8162)
- Nativity hosts a Mondays evening group, 7 p.m.
- Mentored by Jeremy Clos
- Contact Jeremy Clos, 919-846-8338, ext 203
- Trinity hosts a Tuesday evening group, 6-8:30 p.m.:
- Co-mentored by Nancy Davis and Kim Dockery
- Contact Nancy Davis, 704-775-0212
- Emmanuel hosts a Thursday evening group, 6 p.m.:
- Co-mentored by Katherine Stewart-Kelley and the Rev. John Jacobs
- Contact Katherine Stewart-Kelley (860-329-3445)
