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 is returning, refreshed, renewed, and re-discerned. It will bring together online and in-person opportunities, an experienced team of tutors, and a supportive learning community. Along the way, participants will 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.
Applications for Equipping for Ministry in 2026 are now closed.
Equipping for Ministry 2026–2028
The programme blends 17 online sessions (spread across two years), three blended weekends (23–25 January 2026, 11–13 September 2026, and 16–18 April 2027, attended either in Leeds or online), one online day, and two 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 for these separately to the EFM fee.
Cost and Application
Places are available either in-person (£4,250) or online (£1,250). Do remember that your Quaker community may be able to support you financially. More information about cost and the application timeline is available here.
Applications for the 2026 cohort have now closed. If you would like to receive updates about the 2027 cohort, sign up here: Keep me updated
