School For Ministry
DATES AND COURSES 2025-26
Dates & Courses 2025-26
SFM study Saturdays occur monthly, September - June. The Saturday sessions take place at Diocesan House in Concord in the fall and spring; they are online in January and February.
Sept. 27 (on site) (4th weekend)
Oct. 18 (on site) (3rd weekend)
Nov. 15 (on site) (3rd weekend)
Dec. 20 (on site) (3rd weekend)
Jan. 24 (online) (4th weekend)
Feb. 21 (online) (3rd weekend)
March 21 (on site) (3rd weekend)
April 25 (on site) (4th weekend)
May 23 (on site) (4th weekend)
June 20 (on site) (3rd weekend)
SFM Wednesdays:
A regular pattern of mid-week online gatherings for learning, reflection, conversation, and prayer has been a formative and vital part of SFM’s community life since SFM’s beginnings.
Special Dates: For postulants and candidates, attendance at these events is expected:
April 17-18, 2026. Postulants and Candidates Gathering (with the COM and Standing Committee, and the Bishop).
Diocesan Convention, Friday evening, October 23, 2026 via Zoom and in person Saturday, October 24, 2026, location to be determined.
Courses 2025-26
Year-long courses, for those seeking a lay ministry license, and postulants and candidates for Holy Orders:
Scripture with the Rev. Steve Rugg
Theology & Ethics with the Rev. Jason Wells
The Episcopal/Anglican Ethos with the Rt. Rev. Dorsey McConnell
Half-year course, for those seeking a lay ministry license, and postulants and candidates for Holy Orders:
Preaching with the Rev. Fred Chisolm & the Rev. Cathy George
Shorter SFM courses, for those seeking a lay ministry license, and postulants and candidates for Holy Orders:
NEW COURSE: Preparing to serve as a Lay Catechist - Half-year - Ms. Linnae Peterson, MDiv
NEW COURSE: Community Engagement, Community Organizing, and Ministry. Half-year; tbd
Preaching Lab: Giving & Receiving Feedback/Mentored preaching practice - with the Rev. Cathy George. This course can be taken by those seeking a Lay Preacher license and by postulants/candidates as the continuation of SFM’s Preaching A (as taught in Spring 2025) or as a stand-alone by lay people with previous training in homiletics who are preparing to be licensed as preachers. Taught online; course length varies by size of cohort.
Tuition for SFM courses for Lay License and Postulans and Candidates for Holy Orders
Congregations that are sponsoring a person for ordination engage to support that person’s formation. If you are a postulant, candidate for ordination, or lay student (including lay preaching students and others seeking lay licensure) - please discuss with your congregation’s leadership how your SFM tuition might be cost-shared. SFM tuition is substantially underwritten by the Diocese of New Hampshire’s annual budget.
Tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year are:
Comprehensive tuition: Two or more full-year courses + community formation - $1,200
Partial tuition options:
One full-year course + community formation - $600
One half-year course + community formation - $400
Preaching lab only - $100
Theology for All
Spring 2026 Courses
Theology for All: Zoom Seminar on Theology and Ethics - Spring 2026, Thursdays 7-8 p.m., 10 weeks beginning February 5. No classes during Holy Week - Dr. Rev. Joseph Pagano
We will study two recent books on theology & Christian ethics: The Love That Is God: An Invitation to Christian Faith, by Frederick Bauerschmidt, and Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics by Samuel Wells. The format of the class meetings will include introductions by the instructor and seminar-style discussions. The only assignments are to read the books and to participate in the discussions (no quizzes, tests, papers, etc.). All are welcome--from the complete novice to the advanced student. If the makeup of the class permits, we may schedule some in person classes. Cost: no charge. Contact Joseph Pagano, SFM Dean - 240-815-0240 or sfmdean@nhepiscopal.org.
Shorter workshop courses for all the baptized, including those seeking a lay ministry license (there is no charge to attend workshop-style short courses):
Leading Sunday Morning Prayer (half-day workshop)
When and where: on site, various locations (please express interest to sfmdean@nhepiscopal.org)
What on Earth Do I Say?: Introducing Pastoral Care for Laypeople
A four-session workshop led by the Rev. Elsa Worth (please express interest to sfmdean@nhepiscopal.org)