Equipping for Ministry (also known as EfM) is a two-year learning journey for Friends who want to deepen their understanding of Quakerism and become more confident in living Spirit-led lives within the Quaker community and the wider world.
The programme has returned, refreshed, renewed, and re-discerned. It brings together online and residential opportunities, an experienced team of tutors, and a supportive learning community. Along the way, participants are also be accompanied by a personal tutor to help nurture spiritual growth and discernment. Participants will:
- Immerse in rich learning with a long-term connected community
- Engage with vibrant discussions and resources
- Deepen understanding of Quaker history and tradition, and personal spiritual development.
- Strengthen community engagement and care for the world
Participants may focus on ministry in the wider world, exploring how Quaker faith can be carried into everyday life and how to work with others for peace, justice, and hope, or they may focus on ministry within our Quaker worshipping communities, nurturing spiritual depth, pastoral care, and the life of the Meeting.
If you would like to receive updates about EfM, please sign up here: Keep me updated.
Equipping for Ministry December 2026 – December 2028
The programme blends:
- around 20 online sessions spread across two years
- three blended weekends attended either at Hinsley Hall in Leeds or online (22–24 January 2027, 17-19 September 2027, and 21-23 April 2028);
- two online days on Saturday 5 December 2026 (induction day) and Saturday 9 January 2027;
- two additional Woodbrooke courses each year (chosen and paid for separately).
Learning combines shared foundations for all participants, a choice of one of two pathways (Ministry in the World or Ministry in Our Community) and a personal project that allows you to explore and express your own gifts and callings.
Shared Foundations
All participants will explore the core of Quaker life together, including:
- Quaker spirituality, history, and key practices
- The meaning and experience of ministry
- Transformation and spiritual gifts
- Sustaining energy and hope in difficult times
- Finding that of God in ourselves, others and the world
Ministry in the World
For Friends called to carry their faith beyond the Meeting House, this stream focuses on how Quaker spirituality can shape life in work, community, activism and daily witness. Topics include:
- Carrying Quakerism into our homes, friendships, and work
- Recognising and following leadings with courage and trust
- Living joyfully and sustaining hope in the face of challenge
- Spiritual restoration, balance, and resilience
- Joining hands with other movements for justice, peace, and renewal
- Discovering “heaven on earth” in the here and now
Ministry in Our Community
For Friends called to nurture the life of Meeting, this stream strengthens understanding of Quaker process and community roles. Topics include:
- Meeting for Worship for Business and the gift of our collective method of discernment
- Eldership and pastoral care in practice
- The art of threshing
- Hospitality and welcome, including radical and inclusive approaches
- The joys and challenges of service
- Nurturing spiritual depth at the centre of Meeting for Worship
Personal Project
Alongside shared and stream-based learning, you will design and carry out a project of your own discernment, a piece of ministry rooted in your gifts and callings, and share it with your EfM community at the close of the programme.
Additional Courses
Alongside the EfM delivered learning programme, you will also be expected to participate in two Woodbrooke courses each year which relate to your chosen learning stream, these will be shared with you in the first quarter of each year. You will choose your options and pay the usual course fee or donation for these separately to the EFM fee.
Cost
The fees for the December 2026 intake are:
- £4,250 including residentials
- £1,500 for wholly online
A 20% deposit will be required before the programme begins and monthly or quarterly payment plans will be available. Full payment is required by the end of your first year. The residential cost includes all accommodation and meals for the three residential weekends from dinner on Friday to lunch on Sunday.
Do remember that your Quaker community may be able to support you financially.
Bursary assistance
Woodbrooke is offering a limited amount of bursary funding towards the cost of EfM. Please download this form to apply for a bursary.
Application
As part of your application, we ask that you provide a letter of support from an Elder or other appropriate person in your Meeting or Quaker community confirming that you will be upheld during the programme.
In addition, we ask you to provide contact details for a referee who knows you well. This person doesn’t have to be connected to your meeting (although they can be) and may not even be a Quaker. They just need to be able to comment on your suitability for this programme, at this time. Woodbrooke will contact this person directly, usually by email.
Please note that the person who provides your letter of support on behalf of the meeting cannot also act as your referee.
We are now accepting applications for the next Equipping for Ministry programme which begins in December 2026. The deadline for applications is 1 September at 4pm.
If you would like to receive updates about EfM, please sign up here: Keep me updated
