Bishops' Customary

A bishop's customary is a set of guidelines for clergy and vestries to follow when the bishop visits.

Episcopal Visitation Worksheet
(Completion required prior to visit.)

Testimonial
(Completion required after the visitation. Do not complete this form prior to the visitation.)

The most recent issue of The North Carolina Disciple is suggested reading for vestries in preparation for a bishop's visitation.

CUSTOMARY OF THE BISHOPS

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Within this page you will find a revised customary for Episcopal visitations in the Diocese of North Carolina. There are certain changes from the previous customary dated November 2006, so please read carefully.

• The Revised Common Lectionary (Episcopal edition)

• We are encouraging, though not requiring, the use of the color of the day or season for episcopal visitations when there is to be confirmation and baptism.

• Information of liturgical presence of canons and deacons at visitations is included.

• Updated and revised suggestions for the meeting between bishop, clergy and vestry is included

Our hope is to provide normative guidelines for our visits while maintaining appropriate flexibility within the directions of the BCP rubrics, and also respecting the unique practices of each visiting bishop.

May God continue to bless, guide, encourage and direct us all as we seek to be disciples of Jesus witnessing to the Good News of Jesus Christ in 21st-century Galilee.

Yours in Christ,
+Sam

PRIOR TO THE BISHOP'S VISITATION

• Complete Visitation Worksheet: Please complete and return the visitation worksheet to the office of the Bishop making visitation, so as to ensure that the bishop has the information prior to the phone call.

• Arrange Phone Conversation: Please contact the Bishop's assistant at least one month prior to the Bishop's visit to arrange a conversation with the Bishop regarding the visit and the liturgy.
• In some cases it may be possible and even advisable to schedule meeting with vestry at another time in close proximity to the visitation. This should be discussed and decided by a minimum of a month prior to the visitation with the Bishop’s Assistant in order to arrange date and time preferable on the bishop’s calendar.
• When possible please email the service bulletin to the visiting Bishop by Tuesday preceding the visit. It is fine if it is only a draft.

• Schedule of the day: Bishop's visits typically do not begin until 9 a.m. and end by 3 p.m., unless otherwise arranged. Proposed details of the day should be included with the worksheet.

• Signing of Certificates and Prayer Books: If you have more than 25 certificates and/or Prayer Books to be signed, please make arrangements with the Bishop’s Assistant for signature prior to the visitation. Generally certificates can be mailed, signed and return, and other arrangements can be made for Prayer Books.

• When announcing and reminding the congregation of the upcoming Bishop’s visitation, please note that the offering will be designated for the Bishop’s discretionary fund, (used for religious and charitable purposes, pastoral emergencies and ministries arising during the course of the year), so please bring their checkbooks. Checks can be made out to the “Diocese of NC.”

AFTER THE BISHOP'S VISITATION

• Testimonial: Return “Testimonial” of recorded baptisms, confirmations and receptions to the visiting Bishop’s office. (See Appendix )
• Offering: The offering, unless otherwise designated, will be designated for the Bishop's discretionary fund, used for religious and charitable purposes, pastoral emergencies, and ministries arising during the course of the year.

GENERAL LITURGICAL GUIDELINES

• The Bishop will be the preacher, celebrant and officiant of the entire liturgy, unless otherwise arranged.

• Rite II: The Rite II liturgy from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer is the normative rite for liturgies of baptism and confirmation. Eucharist without baptism or confirmation may be Rite I or Rite II according to the custom of the congregation.

• Lectionary: The Bishops will use the Revised Common Lectionary (Episcopal edition). During ordinary time (Epiphany and Pentecost seasons) there are alternatives for the readings depending on the cycle being used by the parish. Please note the actual readings that will be used.

• Propers: It is expected that all three lessons, and the Psalm appointed for the day will be read during the liturgy.

• Color of the day: The Bishops prefer the liturgical color of the day or season when celebrating a confirmation or baptism, but red may be used at any time except during Easter.

• Said or sung: The Bishops will sing or say the Sursum Corda and Proper Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer, according to the custom of the congregation. If other portions of the liturgy are sung please coordinate this with the Bishop during the pre visit phone conference.

• Renewal of Vows Replace the Nicene Creed: If the Bishop is visiting on a Sunday with no special liturgy, the Renewal of Baptismal Vows (p. 292, BCP) should be used in place of the Nicene Creed.

CONFIRMATION

• At a liturgy for Confirmation when there is no baptism, the service will follow p. 413 and following in the Book of Common Prayer. If there is also to be baptism, the liturgy is found on page 299 and following. See sample order of services in the appendix.(NB: If prayers for candidates are according to form on page 305, the concluding collect, is on top of page 418.)
• Rehearsal: There is an expectation that confirmands and baptism candidates will have attended a rehearsal before the liturgy and have some understanding of their roles and movements during the service. Please discuss with the Bishop if you would like the Bishop present at the rehearsal.
• When more than 15 candidates: For Confirmation classes with more than 15, candidates usually come forward in pairs for greater efficiency. Once the candidate has received the laying on of hands, he or she returns to his/her seat and another candidate comes forward to kneel if able.
• Nametags: It is very helpful for those being confirmed, received, or reaffirmed in the faith to have nametags clearly stating their first names and which rite they will be receiving

• Preparation: It is expected that all candidates will be sufficiently prepared for the sacrament, according to diocesan guidelines. See appendix.

BAPTISM

• The Bishop will offer Prayer of Thanksgiving over Water (p. 306) and the prayers following the baptism. The Bishop will normally baptize and perform the chrismation, but may on occasion invite the priest to do so.

• Adult baptismal candidates may receive chrismation by the Bishop or laying on of hands with the confirmation class but not both.

• If there is both a baptism and a confirmation, baptismal candidates are presented first and examined, followed by candidates for confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation.

• It is expected that all candidates will be sufficiently prepared for the sacrament, according to diocesan guidelines. See appendix.

BISHOP'S CHAPLAIN

• Traditionally, the chaplain assisting the Bishop is a deacon, though this duty can also be assumed by a lay person or another priest.

• The chaplain should be the deacon assigned to the congregation, if there is one, or in his or her absence, the regional deacon, or one of the canons if present.

For detailed guidelines for the Bishop’s Chaplain please see the appendix.

CANONS, DEACONS AND OTHER STAFF

• The Bishop may on occasion be accompanied by the Archdeacon, the Deacon for Latino Ministry or one of the canons.

• Canons present, whether or not they have a liturgical role, will vest and process immediately in front of the Bishop's chaplain.

• At the time when guests are welcomed, please feel free to welcome any non-liturgical staff of the Diocese who may also be present and seated in the congregation.

MISCELLANEOUS LITURGICAL INFORMATION

• Announcements: The Rector, Vicar or Priest-in-Charge will make announcements during the liturgy at the accustomed time.

• The Bishop’s Chair: For confirmation/reception/reaffirmation or ordination, the Bishop's chair should be placed at the center of the chancel, at the top of stairs if applicable, with room for candidates to kneel. The Bishop will be seated at the chancel steps for the Liturgy of the Word and the confirmations, then the chair can be removed after the exchange of the peace.

• Prayer for Mission: The Diocesan Prayer for Mission should be prayed on the occasion of the Bishop’s visit. See the Appendix for these prayers.

• Language of the liturgy: The liturgy should be conducted in the language of the people. If the language is not English, please consult with the Bishop as to whether a translator is needed, and for which parts of the service

• Inspection of Registers: The Bishop will expect to review the register of services, and registers recording baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials.

• Parking: Please have a convenient space available for the Bishop, and someone from the congregation to greet the Bishop upon arrival.

• After the Bishop’s Visit: The testimonial forms are returned to the visiting Bishop’s office (Raleigh or Greensboro) no later than two weeks after the visitation. See appendix.

VESTRY MEETING WITH THE BISHOP - BEING THE JESUS MOVEMENT AND THE CHURCH IN GALILEE

• One of the most important components of the Bishop's visitation is his/her meeting with the vestry. This meeting should be arranged at a time that works best with the overall flow of the Sunday events but should not take the place of the Bishop's time for formation with the candidates and/or another Sunday morning formation class. It is expected that this meeting will last about an hour.

• The Rector/Vicar/Priest-in-charge, or senior warden where appropriate, should work with the vestry, well in advance of the visit, to plan for their time together.

• The most recent issue of The North Carolina Disciple is the suggested reading for vestries in preparation for a bishop's visitation.
• Given the nature of this conversation it is perfectly acceptable for the vestry to invite other leaders of the parish/mission to be present. Leaders in Christian formation, outreach, evangelism and stewardship might be included.

Please note: The bishops are open to working with the priest to design the conversation that will be most helpful and appropriate to the faith community in the carrying out of its Gospel mission. If, for example, there are particular ministry opportunities, possibilities, dreams, challenges or concerns that the clergy and vestry wish to share, the conversation can certainly be structured accordingly.

AREA VISITATION/CONVOCATIONAL CONFIRMATION

• The Bishop will sometimes be scheduled to visit several smaller congregations in one geographic area, in order to spend an extended amount of time in one place. These visitations will follow the general outline of individual visitations, and will usually be coordinated by a canon for regional ministry in order to best accommodate the needs of the congregations.

• Convocational confirmations are scheduled to accommodate the needs of congregations between individual Episcopal visits and to celebrate our life as a whole Diocese. These will follow the general outline of congregational confirmations, and will usually be coordinated by the dean of the Convocation.

APPENDIX

On Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation in the Diocese

The question of who should be confirmed, who should be received, and who should reaffirm their baptismal faith often arises given the various changes in the Canons of The Episcopal Church over the last few years. The following is intended to clarify this matter.

The sacramental rite of Holy Confirmation (including Reception and Reaffirmation) provides an opportunity for a mature and public affirmation of our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord within the body of Christ, the Church. The presence of a Bishop as a representative of our apostolic and catholic heritage, is a symbolic reminder that the body of Christ is not only the local community of faith, but the church catholic dispersed throughout the world. In addition, for persons whose Christian journey has been lived out previously in other Christian traditions, this rite sacramentally marks the new relationship within this particular branch of Christ’s holy, catholic church.

With regard to confirmation, the canons say the following: “It is expected that all adult members of this church after appropriate instruction, will have made a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism and will have been confirmed or received by the laying on of hands, by a Bishop of this church or by a Bishop of a church in communion with this church. Those who have previously made a mature public commitment in another church may be received by the laying on of hands by a Bishop of this church rather than confirmed, “Title I Canon 17, Section 1c.

In this light, the following guidelines apply in the Diocese of North Carolina:

• Preparation: All persons confirmed or received should be prepared for the sacrament after a structured, substantive and significant process of catechesis and formation in the faith.

• Confirmation for Young People: Young persons baptized prior to the age of discretion should be presented for confirmation after a structured, substantive and significant experience of catechesis and formation.

• Confirmation of Adults: Adults who have been baptized with water in the name of the Triune God but who have not previously made a mature public affirmation of faith should be confirmed after an adult process of catechesis and formation.

• Persons to be Received into this Communion: Persons who have been baptized previously and have made a mature commitment of faith in any other Christian church may be received. This is a change from the previous practice of receiving persons only from the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, and of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As mentioned previously it is expected that such persons will be prepared after a process of catechesis and formation appropriate for those being received.

• Re-affirmation of Baptismal Vows: The opportunity to re-affirm baptismal vows with the laying on of hands by a Bishop is intended to provide an opportunity for the faithful to sacramentally mark significant experiences of spiritual growth, formation or study with a renewed faith commitment to our Lord and the way of a disciple. As with baptism and confirmation this moment in the person’s spiritual journey should also be marked with a certificate.

• For canonical and statistical purposes all persons who have been confirmed or received are considered both baptized and confirmed.

Diocesan Mission Prayer

Most gracious and loving God:
Strengthen the hearts of your
people in this diocese
That loving you with
our whole heart,
And loving our neighbors as ourselves,
We might, in the power
of the Spirit,
Obey the call of Jesus,
To go into our world
as disciples
Making disciples,
And making a difference
Through your saving love. Amen.

The Bishop’s Chaplain

• In general, the chaplain helps the bishop with the crozier and mitre and in other ways.

• In the entrance procession, the chaplain precedes the bishop.

• If the occasion is a visitation with confirmation, or an ordination, there is normally a chair placed near the people for the bishop, and the bishop will bring a stand for the crozier. Upon arrival at the chair, the chaplain will take the crozier from the bishop and stand next to the chair, on the bishop’s right, facing the people and holding the crozier with the crook pointed out. When not standing immediately beside the bishop, the chaplain carries the crozier with the crook pointed in. The bishop normally removes the mitre and hands it to the chaplain during the prayers, and puts it on during the lessons that precede the gospel.

• If the occasion is a visitation with baptism or no special service, the Bishop will follow the local practice for the seating, standing and movement of the celebrant for such a service.

• The mitre is normally worn by the bishop when seated. If there is a stand, it can be behind the chair or at another convenient place, and the chaplain can place the crozier in the stand and be seated during the lessons.

• The bishop removes the mitre before the gospel.

• If the chaplain is a deacon and is assigned to read the gospel, the deacon may receive a blessing from the bishop before reading – it is a blessing of the deacon, not the book.

• If another deacon reads the gospel, the chaplain may give the crozier to the bishop – it is an ancient custom for the bishop to hold the crozier with both hands during the gospel, in case the bishop hears a call to action!

• The chaplain may place the crozier in the stand and sit during the sermon.

• The bishop normally retains the mitre at the chair.

After the sermon, at the the presentation of candidates for baptism, confirmation or ordination the chaplain stands next to the right of the Bishop at the chair, holding the crozier.

• Practice seems to vary on whether the bishop wears the mitre during the laying on of hands, though most references recommend not. Note that someone else will normally be needed at this point, at the bishop’s left, to hold the book.

• In the case of baptism and no confirmation to follow, the presentation examination and renewal of Baptismal Covenant takes place according to local custom. The chaplain hands the Bishop the mitre and crozier and then precedes the Bishop in the procession to the font. The chaplain then holds the crozier and, during prayers over the water, the mitre.

• Where confirmation follows baptism, the chaplain precedes the bishop in procession back to the chair and then, once reaching the chair, takes the crozier and mitre from the Bishop before the prayer for the remaining candidates.

• At the peace, the chair is normally removed, and the stand and crozier can be taken and placed near the altar. The mitre can be placed on the altar at the gospel side, with the lappets hanging over the side or front edge, wherever there is room.

• A chaplain who is also the deacon of the table prepares the altar and does the other normal diaconal functions.

• After the communion and post-communion prayer, the chaplain hands the mitre and crozier to the bishop for the blessing, and (if there is a retiring procession) precedes the bishop out.

• Note that at the ordination of a priest or the celebration of a new ministry, the new priest, rector or vicar is invited to give the blessing, and at the ordination of a deacon, the new deacon prepares and clears the table and gives the dismissal.

• The chaplain should assist the bishop with vestments and directions before and after the liturgy.

A deacon acting as chaplain may also be called upon to take the diaconal role in the Eucharist, if no other deacon is present.

SAMPLE ORDER OF SERVICE: HOLY BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST - RITE TWO

Hymn

Acclamation and Responses, page 299

The Collect of the Day

THE WORD OF GOD

The Old Testament

Psalm or Canticle

The New Testament

Hymn

The Holy Gospel

The Sermon The Rt. Rev. __________________________

BAPTISM AND CONFIRMATION

Presentation and Examination of the Candidates for Baptism, pages 301-302

Presentation and Examination of the Candidates - Confirmation, Reception & Reaffirmation

The Baptismal Covenant, pages 304-305

Prayers for the Candidates, page 305-306

Thanksgiving over the Water, pages 306-307

The Baptism, Prayer and Signation, pages 307-308

The Welcome of the Newly Baptized, page 308

Prayers for those Renewing of Commitment, page 309

Laying on of Hands with Prayer, pages 309-320

Concluding Prayer, page 310

The Peace, page 310

Announcements (per the custom of the congregation, here or elsewhere)

Diocesan Prayer For Mission

THE HOLY COMMUNION

Offertory Sentence (said by the Bishop)

The Offering of Bread, Wine and Money

Anthem or Hymn

The Great Thanksgiving, Eucharistic Prayer A, pages 361 ff

The communion of the People

(Communion Hymns)

Post-communion Prayer, page 365 or 366

The Blessing

The Dismissal, page 366

Hymn

SAMPLE ORDER OF SERVICE: HOLY CONFIRMATION AND EUCHARIST - RITE TWO

Hymn

Acclamation and Responses, page 413

The Collect of the Day

THE WORD OF GOD

The Old Testament

Psalm or Canticle

The New Testament

Hymn

The Holy Gospel

The Sermon The Rt. Rev. _____________________________

CONFIRMATION

Presentation and Examination of the Candidates for Confirmation, pages 415-416

The Baptismal Covenant, pages 416-417

Prayers for the Candidates, page 418

(The petitions on pages 305-306 may be used if the priest in charge desires, but using the concluding collect on page 418)

Laying on of Hands with Prayer, pages 418-419

Concluding Prayer, page 419

The Peace, page 419

Announcements (per the custom of the congregation, here or elsewhere)

Diocesan Prayer For Mission

THE HOLY COMMUNION

Offertory Sentence (by the Bishop)

The Offering of Bread, Wine and Money

Anthem

The Great Thanksgiving, Eucharistic Prayer A, pages 361 ff

The communion of the People

(Communion Hymns)

Post-communion Prayer, page 365 or 366

The Blessing

The Dismissal, page 366

Hymn