Did you know....?

 

Did you know that the Commission on Ministry (COM) has been working for over a year to establish new guidelines for the ordination process, to bring El Camino Real's discernment process in line with national canons and to build on the best practices of other dioceses?

 

The ordination process is still closed while the COM completes its review.  When it is formally opened, the new process will include the following steps:

 

1.       Day of Discovery workshop  - Open to all persons in the diocese, this workshop must be taken by applicants for Holy Orders.

 

2.       Context for Ministry – This 12-week exploration of ministry study program must be taken by applicants for Holy Orders.  Participants create and carry out a Context for Ministry project and begin attending regular meetings with a Spiritual Director.  (Meetings with a Spiritual Director will continue throughout the discernment process.)

 

3.       After the Context for Ministry program is completed, the Rector and COM select the Deanery Discernment Committee and applicant begins meeting with the Committee.

 

4.       After completing at least six meetings with the Deanery Discernment Committee, the Applicant may submit the Nomination Package to the Bishop.  The package must be complete prior to the interview with the Bishop and a representative of COM.   The package should include:

·         Completed application for Holy Orders

·         A recent photograph

·         A letter of recommendation from the Rector

 

5.       Applicant and Rector attend interview with the Bishop and a representative of COM.

 

6.       Applicant and Rector attend an informal meeting with the members of COM.

 

7.       The Applicant may then be invited to COM’s annual Ministry Discernment Conference usually held in March.  This invitation is contingent on the following being completed by the January 6 (Epiphany) prior to the Conference:

·         The Bishop has formally requested COM to discern the Applicant’s call to ministry.

·         The Applicant has completed the required meetings with the Deanery Discernment Committee and the Committee has submitted a written report to the Bishop and COM. Report is due by February 1.

·         The Applicant has met with the COM-approved psychologist for the Initial Psychological Evaluation.

·         The report of the psychologist is received by COM.

·         The remainder of the Application Package is received by the COM: 

·         endorsement by the Rector and Vestry

·         3 letters of reference

·         all college transcripts

·         a medical report using the form available from the Diocesan Office

 

8.   The invited Applicant attends the Ministry Discernment Conference, a one-day set of comprehensive interviews with the members of the COM and representatives of the Standing Committee.

 

9.   The COM makes a recommendation to the Bishop concerning each applicant.  The Bishop will decide that the individual will become a Postulant for the Priesthood, a Candidate for the Diaconate or continue in the Laity.

 

10. The steps in the discernment are sequential and, while some may be done

concurrently, will require most people more than one year to complete.

 

Did you know that the Commission on Ministry has a new Chair, the Rev. Michael Ferrito?  COM members include Ms. Isabela Cervacio, Ms. Margaret Clark, the Rev. Matthew Conrad, the Rev. Juan Erazo, Mr. Floyd Farlow, Ms. Dorothy Fuller, the Rev. Maryellen Garnier, the Rev. Marcia Lockwood, the Rev. Robert Mayer, Ms. Janet Parske, Ms. Jane Pomeroy, Mr. Jerry Witherspoon, and the Rev. Max Wright.  The Rev. Nayan McNeill serves as Vocations Secretary; the Rev. Linda Taylor and Ms. Graciela Velazquez serve as Standing Committee Liaisons.

If you have questions about the COM Discernment Process, please contact the Rev. Michael Ferrito, Chair, at revmikehs@hotmail.com.