Policy and Instructions Lay Eucharistic Visitors and Ministers The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Cor.12.7 The Right Reverend Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez XVI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
Policy for the Licensing and Renewing the License of Eucharistic Ministers and Eucharistic Visitors for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania The licensing of a member of a congregation as a Eucharistic Minister or Visitor is authorized by the Episcopal Church in Title III. Canon 4. Section 1(a). of General Convention 2015 entitled Of Licensed Ministries. (See Appendix for Canon.) Persons desiring to minister as Eucharistic Ministers and/or Visitors should be confirmed communicants in good standing, unless designated otherwise by the Bishop. The Bishop licenses a person as a Eucharistic Minister for administering consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the Eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant. The Bishop licenses a Eucharistic Visitor as the extension of the church community from the Sunday Eucharist and other principle celebrations of the Eucharist to share consecrated bread and wine with members who are unable to be present because of illness or infirmity. The Bishop authorizes instruction of a person desiring to be a Eucharistic Minister and/or Eucharistic Visitor by Clergy or as the Commission on Ministry may establish training and instruction with regard to the discernment of the Laity. A Eucharistic Minister or Eucharistic Visitor will act under the direction of a Deacon, if any are serving a congregation; or, under any member of the Clergy exercising oversight of the congregation. To apply for a License, after having provided instruction to the applicant, the member of the Clergy will complete and sign the attached form and mail (or email) it to the Bishop. The Bishop will sign and return to said Clergy. In renewing the License, the Bishop will consider the performance of the ministry of the person licensed, the continuing education in the licensed area, and the endorsement of the member of the Clergy. To renew the License, the member of the Clergy will complete and sign the attached form to renew, and mail (or email) it to the Bishop. The Bishop will sign and return.
Application for License for a TO THE BISHOP OF PENNSYLVANIA: I recommend and request that communicant in good standing, be licensed as a, (Name of person to be licensed) an adult, confirmed, A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a celebration of Holy Eucharist when an adequate number of clergy is not present. A Eucharistic Minister acts under the direction of a Member of the Clergy. A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take consecrated bread and wine as the extension of the church community from the Sunday Eucharist and other principle celebrations of the Eucharist to members who are unable to be present because of illness or infirmity. I certify this person is qualified and trained in accordance with the Canons and the Diocesan Guidelines. I will provide continuing supervision and training. Signature of the Member of the Clergy Name of Parish I agree to conform to the Canons, the Diocesan Guidelines, and the direction of the Bishop and the Member of the Clergy in charge of the congregation where I am to serve, in the exercise of the ministry of a Eucharistic Minister. Signature of Person for whom this License is requested Date of Application Signature of the Bishop Date of Bishop's Signature
Application for Renewal of License as a Eucharistic Visitor TO THE BISHOP OF PENNSYLVANIA: I recommend and request that the license of be renewed. (Name of person to be licensed) as a A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a celebration of Holy Eucharist when an adequate number of clergy is not present. A Eucharistic Minister acts under the direction of a Member of the Clergy. A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take consecrated bread and wine as the extension of the church community from the Sunday Eucharist and other principle celebrations of the Eucharist to members who are unable to be present because of illness or infirmity. I certify this member has maintained a Eucharistic ministry and has continued in training in this ministry in accordance with the Canons and the Diocesan Guidelines. I will continue to provide supervision and training. Signature of Member of Clergy Name of Parish I agree to conform to the Canons, the Diocesan Guidelines, and the direction of the Bishop and the Member of the Clergy in charge of the congregation where I am to serve, in the exercise of the ministry of a Eucharistic Minister. Signature of Person for whom this License is renewed Date of Request for Renewal Signature of the Bishop Date of Bishop's Authorization of Renewal
APPENDIX CANON 4: Of Licensed Ministries Sec. 1 (a) Selection and License. A confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed by the Ecclesiastical Authority to serve as Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Evangelist, or Catechist. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such persons, and the duration of licenses shall be established by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry. (b) Member of the Armed Forces. The Presiding Bishop or the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces may authorize a member of the Armed Forces to exercise one or more of these ministries in the Armed Forces in accordance with the provisions of this Canon. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such persons shall be established by the Bishop granting the license. Sec. 2 (a) Terms. The Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith may request the Ecclesiastical Authority with jurisdiction to license persons within that congregation or other community of faith to exercise such ministries. The license shall be issued for a period of time to be determined under Canon III.4.1(a) and may be renewed. The license may be revoked by the Ecclesiastical Authority upon request of or upon notice to the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. (b) Renewal. In renewing the license, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall consider the performance of the ministry by the person licensed, continuing education in the licensed area, and the endorsement of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith in which the person is serving. (c) A person licensed in any Diocese under the provisions of this Canon may serve in another congregation or other community of faith in the same or another Diocese only at the invitation of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight, and with the consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority in whose jurisdiction the service will occur. Sec. 3. Pastoral Leader. A Pastoral Leader is a lay person authorized to exercise pastoral or administrative responsibility in a congregation under special circumstances, as defined by the Bishop. Sec. 4. Worship Leader. A Worship Leader is a lay person who regularly leads public worship under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. Sec. 5. Preacher. A Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. Sec. 6. Eucharistic Minister. A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.
Sec. 7. A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. Sec. 8. Catechist. A Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. Sec. 9. Evangelist. An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as Savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. An Evangelist assists with the community's ministry of evangelism in partnership with the Presbyter or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation, or as directed by the Bishop. (CONSTITUTION & CANONS 2015 Digital Copyright Notice Copyright 2016. The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America / The Archives of the Episcopal Church. pp.68-70. https://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/documents/2015_candc.pdf) All rights reserved. Limited reproduction of excerpts of this is permitted for personal research and educational activities. Systematic or multiple copy reproduction; electronic retransmission or redistribution; print or electronic duplication of any material for a fee or for commercial purposes; altering or recompiling any contents of this document for electronic re-display, and all other re-publication that does not qualify as fair use are not permitted without prior written permission. Send written requests for permission to re-publish to: Rights and Permissions Office The Archives of the Episcopal Church 606 Rathervue Place P.O. Box 2247 Austin, Texas 78768 Email: research@episcopalarchives.org Telephone: 512-472-6816 Fax: 512-480-0437