Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills is accepting new participants for its Education for Ministry program, a weekly small-group course that begins in September and runs through June.

The program, known as EfM, covers scripture, theology, and church history over four years, though participants enroll one year at a time. No prior Bible study experience or religious background is required.

Jordyn Wilcox, a Christ Church Cranbrook parishioner who joined EfM in the summer of 2022, wrote in a parish blog post published Monday, Aug. 3, that she signed up after receiving an introductory email from a priest and initially expected a traditional academic course.

She found something different.

Wilcox pointed to a line from the EfM Reading and Reflection Guide, the program's handbook, that has stuck with her: "The gift for me is in the community, the privilege of exploring complex and difficult topics with a group of intelligent, amazing people with different perspectives and insights."

EfM was founded in 1975 at the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and has served more than 120,000 participants worldwide, according to the seminary's website. Groups are led by trained mentors who facilitate discussion rather than lecture. Each year focuses on a different subject: Old Testament, New Testament, church history, and theology, ethics, and interfaith encounter.

The church has offered EfM for multiple years. Residents interested in joining can contact Christ Church Cranbrook at (248) 644-5210 or visit christchurchcranbrook.org for enrollment details.