COMMISSION ON MINISTRY A Guide t the Diacnal Ordinatin Prcess and its Requirements in the Dicese f Western Michigan Updated Nvember 11, 2014!
Visin fr the Diacnate My brther/sister, every Christian is called t fllw Jesus Christ, serving Gd the Father, thrugh the pwer f the Hly Spirit. Gd nw calls yu t a special ministry f servanthd directly under yur bishp. In the name f Jesus Christ, yu are t serve all peple, particularly the pr, the weak, the sick, and the lnely. As a deacn in the Church, yu are t study the Hly Scriptures, t seek nurishment frm them, and t mdel yur life upn them. Yu are t make Christ and his redemptive lve knwn, by yur wrd and example, t thse amng whm yu live, and wrk, and wrship. Yu are t interpret t the Church the needs, cncerns, and hpes f the wrld. Yu are t assist the bishp and priests in public wrship and in the ministratin f Gd s Wrd and Sacraments, and yu are t carry ut ther duties assigned t yu frm time t time. At all times, yur life and teaching are t shw Christ s peple that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself. My brther/sister, d yu believe that yu are truly called by Gd and his Church t the life and wrk f a deacn? Examinatin at the Ordinatin f a Deacn 1979 Bk f Cmmn Prayer, page 543 A deacn is a baptized persn called and empwered by Gd and the Church t be a mdel f Christ s servant ministry fr all peple. As agents f Gd s cmpassin and recnciling grace, deacns are missinaries t the wrld and messengers t the Church f the wrld s needs, hpes and cncerns. In the Church, deacns call frth, empwer, and inspire the baptized t respnd t these needs. The rle f the deacn in liturgy mirrrs this rle f the deacn in Church and wrld. Deacns are living symbls f Christ s presence as they embdy Christ s servant ministry and pint t the presence f Christ in thse they serve. The Nrth American Assciatin fr the Diacnate
Baptismal Cvenant as Christian Life. Intrductin! Welcme t the diacnal rdinatin prcess in the Dicese f Western Michigan! Discerning a call t rdinatin is a prcess invlving bth the individual's sense f vcatin and the church's affirmatin f that call. The Bishp, Cmmissin n Ministry (COM), and Standing Cmmittee hnr and appreciate yur willingness t share yur sense f vcatin with us. We are cmmitted t making the rdinatin prcess ne f depth, dialgue, and faithful discernment.! Gd s call t rdained ministry sunds frm the depths f ur baptismal life and ministry. As such, being Christian is vastly mre than giving ur passive assent t a set f statements abut the identify and character f Gd in Jesus. Rather, Christianity describes that ancient pattern f life f being human and living peaceably in a cmmunity that prclaims the svereignty f a lving, trustwrthy and living Gd in three persn: Father, Sn and Hly Spirit. Being Christian means saying yes t Gd s invitatin t be the creatures Gd created us t be. Our yes is a life f imperfect allegiance-fprmises made and brken-in respnse t Gd s lnging t be ur friend. Our pledge f allegiance t Gd is made visible in the sacrament f Baptism when we prmise t be and d as Gd wuld have us. Taken tgether these prmises are called ur Baptismal Cvenant. Our cmmn life is riented arund the Baptismal Cvenant s that we stay in Gd s way. And when we inevitably lse ur place r frget wh we are, we have ur baptism and ur cmmn life with friends help us get right with Gd and each ther. Our Baptismal Cvenant invlves these prmises t: 1. Cntinue in the apstles teaching and fellwship, in the breaking f bread, and in the prayers. 2. Persevere in resisting evil and, whenever we fall int sin, t repent and return t the Lrd. 3. Prclaim by wrd and example the gd news f Gd in Christ. 4. Seek and serve Christ in all persns and lving yur neighbr as yurself. 5. Strive fr justice and peace amng all peple, and respect the dignity f every human being. These prmises align ur lives t the truth we say we believe; namely that Gd s lve and actin have finally cnquered evil and verthrwn the pwers f death. 3
And that the self-emptying essence f the Gd f creatin as made knwn t us as the persn Jesus, wh is the Christ; the ne whse death, resurrectin and awaited return have saved us frm urselves. And that as we wait, we trust that the Hly Spirit is breathing life int the Church in ways that unaccuntably, incarnate Jesus s presence and lve fr the sake f a suffering wrld. We believe, and we stake ur life n it. In his keynte address t the Episcpal Dicese f Western Michigan s 140th Cnventin, the Rev. Martin Smith challenged us t re-apprpriate the mre generus and generative ntin f Baptism as Gd s immersing us in the shared life and lve amng Gd the Father, Gd the Sn, and Gd the Hly Spirit. Smith asserts that, Baptism instead f being cnfined t sme kind f liturgical realm is in fact at the very heart f the missin f the Church. He cntinues, paraphrasing Matthew s Gspel accunt f Jesus last instructins t the disciples: G int all f the Pagan Natins. Aruse them that Gd is radically new, newer than they ever imagined and that we have a newness amngst us that is having its way with us - and draw them int immersin in Father Sn and Hly Spirit. Draw them int taking the plunge with us int the mystery f Father, Sn and Hly Spirit. All f this is t say that Christianity and the Christian life is the flurishing f cmmunity and peple thrugh an ever-deepening invlvement with the Father, the Sn and Hly Spirit. It is an embdied life where Gd resides in the very sinews f creatin - bld and bne, water and fire, bread and wine made hly. And it is frm this Christian life that all ministry flws, and frm which the call t rdained ministry riginates. 4
The Life and Ministry f a Deacn We have designed the prcess t create an envirnment fr this discernment, and fr the nging stages f frmatin. The prcess hwever well designed still relies n yu t take respnsibility fr cmpleting each step n time, and fr the actins f each persn yu will need t rely n t cmplete the respective wrk n time. These guidelines describe the required paperwrk and the sequence f meetings and steps in the rdinatin prcess. Thrughut the prcess yu shuld cntact yur assigned Cmmissin n Ministry liaisn with any questins. Thrugh their rdinatin vws, deacns place themselves under rders t fllw Jesus and t be bedient t the bishp, wh gives them the mandate t encurage, supprt, and develp servant ministry in this dicese. Three Aspects f Call A deacn has the ability t articulate the prclamatin f servant in the Gspel and has leadership skills and the willingness t lead thers int servant ministry. Deacns are nt simply thse wh exercise servant ministry as baptized Christians. Rather, deacns are thse wh call and empwer the laity t exercise servant ministry. A deacn has the curage t be a prphetic vice t the Church cncerning the needs f the pwerless and viceless in the cmmunity. She r he has the mental ability and cmpetence fr rdained ministry, and understands that the diacnate is a life-lng discernment f ministry. This prcess invlves cntinuus prayer, penness t change, willingness t study, and the active quest fr persnal grwth. The diacnate is a distinct rder and is nt a stepping-stne t the priesthd. Likewise, the diacnate is nt t be seen as a reward fr faithful service as a Reader, Eucharistic Minister, Warden r member f the Vestry. Nr is it t be seen as a reward fr a preexisting servant ministry. The individual aspiring t the Sacred Order f Deacns must clearly articulate and demnstrate that he r she is called t the rder f ministry which is integral t the church leading the laity int lives f servant ministry, diaknia. Signs f Call FIRST, a persn identified with having a vcatin t the diacnate wuld be recgnized by him/herself and by the Church as meeting three fundamental requirements: 1) The exercise f a servantministry in the wrld. 2) The desire and capacity t call, equip, empwer, and enable the baptized t the practice f servant ministry as required f each persn thrugh baptism. 3) The desire and capacity t interpret t the Church the needs, cncerns and hpes f the wrld. 5
SECOND, a persn with a discernible vcatin evidences many, if nt all, f the fllwing qualities: 1) a strng cmmitment t and deep lve fr Jesus Christ and the Church; 2) an ability t articulate his r her faith; 3) a cnfirmed adult cmmunicant in gd standing with the understanding f his r her ministry as a baptized persn; 4) a spiritual life marked by the hly habits f wrship, prayer, the study f scripture, and prprtinal giving; 5) an inclinatin tward persnal grwth and an increasing knwledge f self; 6) a vcatin t serve and enable thers t serve; 7) an empathy fr the pwerless and a cmmitment t scial justice; 8) a histry f satisfactry emplyment (if applicable) and interpersnal relatinships; 9) a histry f financial respnsibility and integrity and des nt carry unmanageable persnal debt; 10) a care f physical and emtinal health and passes the medical requirements f the cannns 11) a willingness t undertake extensive preparatin, including thelgical educatin, spiritual frmatin and practice f ministry; 12) a clear understanding f the ministry f a deacn; 13) a willingness t serve Gd thrugh the leadership f the dicesan bishp; 14) a desire t assist the bishp and priests in the ministry f the sacraments. THIRD, a persn with a discernible vcatin t the diacnate wuld be recgnized bth by her/himself and by the Church as being called t live the diacnal ministry. Deacns are ften at wrk in risky places and at the margins, respnding t the needs f the pr, the weak, the addicted, the sick, and the lnely, thus enabling them t discver the presence f Gd in their wrld. Deacns are called t engage the issues f justice, mercy, pverty, family and the envirnment. Increasingly, the rle is ne f pening drs f pprtunity, encuraging thers t take risks, and serving as agents f change. NOTE: The ministry f a deacn is a ministry served under the Bishp n behalf f the Church in Western Michigan. Thugh a lcal cntext can prvide fertile grund fr a sense f call t ministry, rdinatin is rarely, if ever, t a specific lcatin. One is rdained fr the whle church. Thus, thugh the Custmary des allw fr the pssibility f a Deacn cntinuing t serve in the parish where the Deacn was raised up fr rdinatin, a true sense f call t the Sacred Order f Deacns must als invlve a willingness t serve elsewhere in the Dicese, with the strengthening f the ttal ministry f the church being the fcus and gal. 6
The Rles f Thse Invlved in the Ordinatin Prcess The Individual (wh thrughut the prcess is Nminee, Pstulant, Candidate, Deacn) either initiates r agrees t the initial discernment prcess and is respnsible fr prviding the required paperwrk t the apprpriate persns and meeting all the deadlines thrughut the rdinatin prcess. The Rectr, Priest-in-Charge r Vicar prvides supprt in the initial phase f discernment, names a Parish Discernment Cmmittee and then at every phase in the rdinatin prcess, is asked t fficially nminate, supprt and/r recmmend the individual. The Parish Discernment Cmmittee spends several mnths prir t nminatin helping the individual discern whether r nt he r she feels a call t rdinatin. They will als cmmunicate their impressins f the individual and his r her calling t the Rectr, Bishp and Cmmissin n Ministry. The Cngregatin r ther cmmunity f faith nurtures the individual in faith, ffers nging supprt, and (thrugh their Vestry r Bishp s Cmmittee) are asked fr fficial recmmendatins at every stage f the rdinatin prcess. The Bishp meets with the individual early in the prcess and has authrity t grant Pstulancy and apprve a prcess f frmatin. With the supprt f the Standing Cmmittee the Bishp may apprve Candidacy and rdain t the Diacnate. (The Bishp, at his r her sle discretin, als has the authrity t remve a Pstulant r Candidate frm the rdinatin prcess). The Cmmissin n Ministry (COM) wrks t advise and assist the Bishp in the implementatin f the Title III Canns, prviding discernment, establishing prgrams f frmatin and maintaining versight f the rdinatin prcess. The COM als prvides a primary dicesan cntact and supprt fr persns in the rdinatin prcess. The Standing Cmmittee meets with the individual prir t Candidacy and rdinatin, and has a representative present prir t Pstulancy. They ultimately certify that all cannical requirements fr rdinatin have been met and that seeing n sufficient bjectin n medical, psychlgical, mral, r spiritual grunds, submit their recmmendatin regarding rdinatin. The Standing Cmmittee s cnsent is a requirement fr rdinatin. The Seminary r ther Frmatin Prgram prvides fr, mnitrs and reprts n the individual s academic perfrmance and n the Pstulant s, Candidate s r Deacn s persnal qualificatins fr rdinatin. 7
The Phases f the Ordinatin Prcess General Guidelines fr Submissin f Dcuments Unless nted therwise: Frms that are prvided n the dicesan website are t be used. Dcuments that are typed are t include the individual s name and date. Originals are t be sent t the Bishp s ffice. Als nte that the dcuments and ther requirements fr each stage are listed n Diacnal Ordinatin Prcess Checklist. Yu shuld refer t that list t ensure that all dcuments are submitted as required. At any time, shuld yu have any questins, yu shuld cntact yur assigned COM cntact r the COM Chair. 1. Lcal Discernment: (III.1, III.3, III.6.2a) (a) During this initial phase f discernment (usually abut ne year in length), the individual lks clsely at their life calling, reflecting thughtfully and prayerfully while experiencing the input and supprt f ne s Cngregatin r cmmunity f faith. This phase f discernment is an intentinal prcess beginning with the Rectr/Priest-in-Charge/Vicar and cntinuing with a Parish Discernment Cmmittee as appinted by the Rectr. (b) At the pint at which the Rectr believes it is time fr a Discernment Cmmittee, he r she shuld cntact the Chair f the COM fr supprt and guidance. Finding Yur Gifts, (the guide t this prcess) can be fund n the Dicesan website. (c) The Discernment Cmmittee plays several rles. First, at this early stage f the prcess this cmmittee serves as a sunding bard fr the individual discerning a call. Secnd, this cmmittee ffers t the Vestry, Bishp, COM and Standing Cmmittee their bservatins regarding the strengths the individual wuld ffer the church as a Deacn, the areas in which the individual wuld need t grw t becme a well runded Deacn, and the way the cmmittee experienced the individual in the curse f their meetings. (d) The primary rle f the Discernment Cmmittee is nt t recmmend fr r against rdinatin fr the individual, but rather t prvide a descriptive written reprt, which shuld be 2-3 pages in length. This reprt then becmes ne f several surces f infrmatin which the Bishp, COM and Standing Cmmittee use at the different stages f the rdinatin prcess. The cver f that reprt shuld be Frm 1. (e) Fllwing this experience with the Discernment Cmmittee, if the individual discerns a call t rdinatin, he r she requests the supprt f the Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee (Frm 2) alng with frmal recmmendatin frm the Rectr/Priest-in-Charge/Vicar. (f) The Cngregatin may nminate the individual fr rdinatin. 8
2. Nminatin: (III.6.2b- 3d) Nminatin is a perid in which discernment is expanded beynd the lcal cngregatin r cmmunity f faith int the larger bdy f the Dicese. Officially nminated by the Rectr/Priest-in-Charge/Vicar and the Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee, the individual is a Nminee. (a) The Nminee cntacts the Bishp s ffice and schedules a meeting. (b) At least fur weeks prir t that meeting, the Nminee submits required dcuments and infrmatin including: Ordinatin Prcess Infrmatin (Frm 3), prf f Baptism and Cnfirmatin Certificate signed by the Rectr/Priest in Charge/Vicar and Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee, which indicates the Vestry's/Bishp Cmmittee s supprt f the Nminee (Frm 2) A letter frm the Rectr, Priest-in-Charge, r Vicar recmmending the Nminee t the Bishp fr the rdinatin prcess The reprt f the Parish Discernment Cmmittee (Frm 1 as cver) A ne-page, single-spaced autbigraphical statement Transcripts f all academic wrk (undergraduate and graduate) A ne-page, single space statement f the Nminee s sense f call If married r partnered, a ne-page letter frm the Nminee s spuse/partner expressing his/her thughts n the Nminee s seeking rdinatin Financial Inquiry Frm (Frm 4) (c) The Nminee meets with the Bishp. (d) If the Bishp apprves the Nminee t prceed, the Nminee gathers and submits the fllwing infrmatin: A letter t the Bishp frmally applying fr Pstulancy A psychlgical evaluatin frm (cmpleted by a designee f the Bishp) as required by the Church Pensin Fund A cmpleted Medical Examinatin frm Backgrund checks Passprt-sized pht, nt lder than six mnths. (e) The COM and representative(s) frm the Standing Cmmittee will review the applicatin and meet with the Nminee. (f) Within ne week fllwing the meeting/cnference with the COM, the Chair will cntact the Bishp t respnd t the Nminee s presentatin f his r her sense f calling, advising him r her abut the strengths and areas f cncern that the COM members discerned, and t share the COM s recmmendatin regarding Pstulancy. The Chair will prvide the Bishp with ne f three recmmendatins frm the COM: i. That the nminee be made a Pstulant fr Hly Orders. ii. That the Nminee take time t address cncerns raised by the COM and meet with them again at a later date. 9
iii. That the Nminee nt be made a Pstulant fr Hly Orders. The Bishp will cntact each Nminee/Pstulant, usually within ne week f receiving the COM s reprt. (g) In cnsultatin with the Bishp, the COM Chair will arrange fr a member f the COM t meet with the Nminee/Pstulant in persn, t g ver the COM s feedback in depth and t invite the Nminee's/Pstulant s respnse t the feedback. If the individual is made a Pstulant, this COM member will generally then cntinue t serve as the individual s COM liaisn. 3. Pstulancy: (III.6.2.e- 6.4.b) The perid f pstulancy includes fficial apprval f and initiatin f a Prgram f Frmatin. This is expected t be a time f significant spiritual grwth fr the individual and it nrmally encmpasses the first ne t tw years in the rdinatin prcess. During this phase, individuals cntinue t explre their call and frmulate (r pstulate ) wrking mdels r images f what diacnal rdinatin means t them. (a) Pstulants and Candidates must write the bishp fur times a year in Ember Weeks, reflecting upn his r her frmatin experience and persnal and spiritual develpment. (b) Requirements fr Study and Spiritual Develpment T ensure training in the Anglican traditin and diacnal frmatin and ministry, the Canns name the fllwing five fcus areas and require basic cmpetence in these areas prir t rdinatin: Academic studies including, The Hly Scriptures, thelgy, and the traditin f the Church. Diaknia and the diacnate; Human awareness and understanding; Spiritual develpment and discipline;; Practical training and experience; (c) The Dicese cnsiders the emtinal and spiritual develpment f persns in the prcess t be as imprtant as their intellectual develpment. T this end, the Bishp may assign the Pstulant t any cngregatin f the Dicese r ther cmmunity f faith and individuals are required t have cmpleted the fllwing r their equivalents: Tw years f regular meetings with a spiritual directr A full year s field placement in a supervised ministry at an Episcpal parish r missin (nt their hme r spnsring parish) A practiced rule f life Adult Sexual Miscnduct Preventin training Child Abuse Awareness training Anti-Racism training Sensitivity training with regard t LGBT persns Title IV Cann Training 10
It is highly recmmended that all trainings listed abve be cmpleted as early in the prcess as pssible and it is required they be cmpleted befre Candidacy. It is the respnsibility f the individual t cmplete such training and submit prf f cmpletin t the Bishp s ffice. (d) At the apprpriate time, the Pstulant applies t the Bishp fr admissin t Candidacy and submits the fllwing infrmatin: Ordinatin Prcess Infrmatin (Frm 3) updated A letter t the Bishp frmally applying fr Candidacy Reaffirmatin f Rectr/Priest in Charge/Vicar fr Candidacy Status Reaffirmatin f Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee fr Candidacy Status Reprt frm the Directr f the individual s Frmatin Prgram attesting t the individual s prgress and remaining frmatinal needs Anti-Racism training prf f cmpletin Adult Sexual Miscnduct Preventin training prf f cmpletin Child Abuse Awareness training prf f cmpletin Sensitivity training with regard t LGBT persns prf f cmpletin Title IV Cann Training prf f cmpletin (e) The COM reviews the dcuments, meets with the Pstulant and attests t the Pstulant s cntinuing frmatin. (f) The Standing Cmmittee having reviewed the dcumentatin relating t the applicatin, interviews the Pstulant and gives (r des nt give) their apprval fr Candidacy. (g) The Bishp may admit the Pstulant as a Candidate fr rdinatin t the Diacnate. 4. Candidacy: (III.6.4.c-6.6.d) The term Candidate reflects the church's expectatin that by this stage f the prcess, persns are able t integrate their academic studies, spiritual develpment, and field experience s that they are prepared t ffer themselves fr rdinatin. Candidacy is a time f educatin and cntinued frmatin which generally lasts a year r mre, and (withut guarantee f rdinatin) is established by frmal cmmitment by the Candidate, the Bishp, the COM, the Standing Cmmittee and the Cngregatin r ther cmmunity f faith. (a) During Candidacy each Candidate s prgress shall be evaluated and there shall be a written reprt f the evaluatin by thse authrized by the Cmmissin t be in charge f the evaluatin prgram. (b) At the apprpriate time, the Candidate applies t the Bishp requesting rdinatin t the Diacnate. The Candidate assures that required dcuments are submitted and all ther requirements met, including: The Candidate is at least twenty-fur years ld. A letter t the Bishp frmally applying fr Ordinatin t the Diacnate including dates f admissin t Pstulancy and Candidacy 11
Endrsement fr Ordinatin t the Diacnate by the Candidate s Rectr/Priest-in-Charge/Vicar Endrsement fr Ordinatin t the Diacnate by the Candidate s Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee A certificate frm the seminary r ther prgram f preparatin shwing the Candidate s recrd in the subjects required by Cann (listed abve) and including a recmmendatin fr rdinatin Medical Examinatin Frm update, if required Psychlgical Examinatin update, if required Backgrund Check update, if required Nte: Medical, Psychlgical Examinatin, and Backgrund check reprts submitted fr pstulancy must be updated befre rdinatin if mre than three years have elapsed since the riginal exams, r at the request f the Bishp r COM. (c) The COM nrmally meets with the Candidate. The COM submits a final written assessment f the Candidate s readiness fr rdinatin and their recmmendatin regarding rdinatin t the Diacnate. (d) The Standing Cmmittee nrmally meets with the Candidate. They certify that the cannical requirements fr rdinatin have been met, and that they see n sufficient bjectin n medical, psychlgical, mral, r spiritual grunds and that they recmmend rdinatin. The Standing Cmmittee ffers their recmmendatin fr rdinatin by way f testimnial addressed t the Bishp using the frm as specified in Cann III.6.6.c. (e) The Bishp, having received the Standing Cmmittee s testimnial and seeing n sufficient bjectin n medical, psychlgical, mral r spiritual grunds, may rdain the Candidate t the Diacnate. 12
Cmmissin n Ministry f the Episcpal Dicese f Western Mich. 535 Suth Burdick St., Ste 1, Kalamaz, MI, 49007 www.edwm.rg! Checklist f Steps fr Discernment f Call fr Ordinatin t the Diacnate I. Lcal Discernment (a) Aspirant meets with Rectr/Priest-in-Charge/Vicar t explre call (b) Rectr cntacts Chair f COM and creates Lcal Discernment Cmmittee (LDC) (c) Aspirant meets with the LDC (d) LDC creates Discernment Narrative (Frm 1 as cver), sends t Bishp s ffice. (e) If Aspirant discerns call, requests: Certificate f Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee Supprt (Frm 2) A letter frm the Rectr/Priest-in-Charge/Vicar recmmending fr prcess (f) Once bth are received, individual is cnsidered nminated fr rdinatin II. Nminatin (a) Nminee cntacts the Bishp s ffice t schedule Nminee Meeting (b) At least fur weeks prir that meeting, the Nminee submits t Bishp s ffice: Ordinatin Prcess Infrmatin Frm (Frm 3), prf f Baptism & Cnfirmatin Certificate f Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee s Supprt (Frm 2) A letter frm the Rectr/Priest-in-Charge/Vicar recmmending the Nminee fr prcess. The reprt f the Parish Discernment Cmmittee (Frm 1 as cver) A ne-page, single spaced autbigraphical statement Transcripts f all academic wrk A ne-page, single spaced statement f Nminee s sense f Call If married r partnered, a ne-page letter frm Spuse/Partner Financial Inquiry Frm (Frm 4) (c) Nminee meets with the Bishp (d) If Bishp apprves Nminatin t prceed, Nminee submits t Bishp s ffice: A letter t the Bishp frmally applying fr Pstulancy Psychlgical Evaluatin Frm cmpleted by designee f the Bishp Medical Examinatin Frm (Frm 5) Backgrund Checks, initiated by the Dicese at yur request Passprt-sized pht, nt lder than six mnths (e) COM & Standing Cmmittee review applicatin, Nminee meets with the COM (f) Chair f COM gives bishp COM recmmendatin. Bishp cntacts Nminee. (g) In cnsultatin with the Bishp, COM Chair appints COM Liasn III. Pstulancy (a) Fur times a year (during Ember Weeks) the Pstulant writes Ember Letter t Bishp (b) Pstulant underges prgram f frmatin. (c) Pstulant cmpletes additinal trainings, submitting prf t Bishp s ffice. Tw years f regular meetings with Spiritual Directr Full year f field placement in an Episcpal parish r missin 13
Cmmissin n Ministry f the Episcpal Dicese f Western Mich. 535 Suth Burdick St., Ste 1, Kalamaz, MI, 49007 www.edwm.rg A practiced rule f life Adult Sexual Miscnduct Preventin training Child Abuse Awareness training Anti-Racism training Sensitivity training with regard t LGBT persns Title IV Cann Training (d) Pstulant applies fr Candidacy, submitting t Bishp s ffice: Updated Ordinatin Prcess Infrmatin Frm (Frm 3) A letter t the Bishp frmally applying fr Candidacy Reaffirmatin f Rectr/Priest in Charge/Vicar fr Candidacy Status Certificatin f Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee fr Candidacy Status (Frm 6) Reprt frm the Directr f frmatin prgram Anti-Racism training (prf f cmpletin) Adult Sexual Miscnduct Preventin training (prf f cmpletin) Child Abuse Awareness training (prf f cmpletin) Sensitivity training with regard t LGBT persns (prf f cmpletin) Title IV Cann Training (prf f cmpletin) (e) COM reviews and meets with Pstulant, attesting t cntinued frmatin (f) Standing Cmmittee meets Pstulant and decides whether t apprve (g) Bishp admits the Pstulant as a Candidate fr Ordinatin IV. Candidacy (a) Written Reprt frm Directr f Frmatin prgram (b) Candidate applies fr rdinatin t the Diacnate, submitting t Bishp s ffice: A letter t the Bishp frmally applying fr Ordinatin t the Diacnate Endrsement fr Ordinatin t Diacnate frm Rectr/Vicar/Priest-in-Charge Certificate f Endrsement fr Ordinatin t Diacnate frm Vestry/Bishp s Cmmittee (Frm 7) Certificate frm prgram f preparatin shwing the candidate s recrd in the subjects required by cann and a recmmendatin fr Ordinatin. Psychlgical Evaluatin Frm cmpleted by designee f the Bishp, if required Medical Examinatin Frm (Frm 5), if required Backgrund Checks, initiated by the Dicese at yur request, if required (d) COM meets with Candidate and submits recmmendatin re: rdinatin (e) Standing Cmmittee meets with Candidate, certifies and recmmends (f) Bishp rdains Candidate t the Diacnate 14
Statement f Recmmendatin Frm 1 Last updated 7/2013 The Parish Discernment Cmmittee makes the fllwing recmmendatin cncerning applicant: Applicant s name We recmmend fr Christian ministry in the fllwing rder (chse ne)! Priesthd! Diacnate! Laity (specify particular callings) We make this recmmendatin! With n reservatins! With reservatins Signed (All members f the COMMITTEE) Date: Chairpersn: Applicant Signature Please attach the signed discernment narrative t this frm. _ Date 23
Certificate f Vestry Supprt fr nminatin t Hly Orders in the Dicese f Western Michigan Frm 2 Last updated 7/2013 T: Frm (Name f Parish): Date: The Bishp, Cmmissin n Ministry f The Dicese f Western Michigan, 20. We, whse names appear belw, certify that is a cnfirmed adult cmmunicant in gd standing f this Parish. We declare that, in ur pinin, this persn pssesses such qualificatins as wuld be fitting fr admissin as a Nminee fr Hly Orders. This judgment is based n ur persnal knwledge. (T be signed by Rectr r persn cannically in charge, and at least tw-thirds majrity f the Vestry.) Attestatin f Clerk r Recrding Secretary: I hereby certify that the freging certificate was signed at a meeting f the Vestry Of (Name f Parish), (City), Dicese f Western Michigan, duly cnvened at n the day f (Time) (Day) (Mnth) _, (Year), and that the names attached are thse f all (r a tw-thirds majrity f all) the members f the Vestry. Clerk/Secretary f Vestry
Ordinatin Prcess Infrmatin Frm Frm 3 Last updated 7/2013 Name: Spuse/Partner s Name (if applicable): Spnsring Parish: Hme Address: City _ ST Zip: Hme Phne: ( ) Wrk Phne: ( ) E-mail: @. Discerning a Call t Hly Orders in (check ne): q Diacnate q Priesthd Fr ffice use Dicesan Recrds Update Date Pstulancy Granted: / / Frmatin 1) Seminary Seminary Address City _ ST: Phne E-mail 2) Alternative Frmatin Apprved by the Bishp 3) Oakerhater Schl q Yes q N Date Candidacy t Ordinatin Granted: / /
Financial Inquiry Frm Fr Thse Discerning a Call t Hly Orders in the Dicese Frm 4 Last updated 7/2013 Name: Spuse/Partner s Name (if applicable): Hme Address: City St. Zip: Hme Phne: ( ) Wrk Phne: ( ) E-mail: @. Assets Liabilities Cash Credit Cards CD s Car Lans IRAs Hme Mrtgage Pensin Plan (401k, etc.) Rental Prperty Debt Real Estate Huse Other Debts Real Estate Rental Prperty Student Lans Real Estate Other Autmbile(s) Yu may indicate later changes, as f anticipated seminary Other (please describe) date, t figures in either clumn. Ttal Assets Ttal Liabilities Estimated Resurces Budget (12 mnths, beginning September 1st) Yur Earnings Tuitin Field Wrk/Other Bks/Supplies Summer Seminary Bard Spuse s Earnings Other Fd Expenses Lan Rm / Rent GI Bill/Veteran Aid Utilities / Phne Amunt frm Capital Clthing / Laundry Available Savings Recreatin Expected help Parents Pledge Cntributins Expected help Dicese Health Insurance Expected help Parish Other Medical / Dental Other (please describe) Life Insurance Travel Expenses Car Payment License / Insurance Other Debts Childcare Ttal Other Expenses Additinal Needed Ttal Estimated Expenses
Certificate f Vestry Supprt fr candidacy t Hly Orders in the Dicese f Western Michigan Frm 6 Last updated 10/2014 T: Frm (Name f Parish): Date: The Bishp, Cmmissin n Ministry f The Dicese f Western Michigan, 20. We, whse names appear belw, certify that is a cnfirmed adult cmmunicant in gd standing f this Parish. We declare that, in ur pinin, this persn pssesses such qualificatins as wuld be fitting fr admissin as a Candidate fr Hly Orders. This judgment is based n ur persnal knwledge. (T be signed by Rectr r persn cannically in charge, and at least tw-thirds majrity f the Vestry.) Attestatin f Clerk r Recrding Secretary: I hereby certify that the freging certificate was signed at a meeting f the Vestry Of (Name f Parish), (City), Dicese f Western Michigan, duly cnvened at n the day f (Time) (Day) (Mnth) _, (Year), and that the names attached are thse f all (r a tw-thirds majrity f all) the members f the Vestry. Clerk/Secretary f Vestry
Certificate f Endrsement Frm 7 Last updated 7/2013 fr Ordinatin t the Diacnate in the Dicese f Western Michigan T: Frm (Name f Parish): Date: The Bishp, Cmmissin n Ministry f The Dicese f Western Michigan, 20. We, whse names appear belw, certify that is a cnfirmed adult cmmunicant in gd standing f this Parish. We declare that, in ur pinin, this persn pssesses such qualificatins as wuld be fitting fr admissin as a Nminee fr Hly Orders. This judgment is based n ur persnal knwledge. (T be signed by Rectr r persn cannically in charge, and at least tw-thirds majrity f the Vestry.) Attestatin f Clerk r Recrding Secretary: I hereby certify that the freging certificate was signed at a meeting f the Vestry Of (Name f Parish), (City), Dicese f Western Michigan, duly cnvened at n the day f (Time) (Day) (Mnth) _, (Year), and that the names attached are thse f all (r a tw-thirds majrity f all) the members f the Vestry. Clerk/Secretary f Vestry