Deacon Ordination
This page outlines the three-year process by which the call to ordination as a vocational deacon is discerned, formed, supported, and endorsed in the Diocese of North Carolina. Please send all documentation listed in this process to Patricia Sarazen.
This process includes:
- INITIAL STEPS
- In congregation before February 15: Conversations with Sponsoring Presbyter and nomination form submitted to the Assistant Bishop's office.
- In congregation before June 1: Parish Discernment Committee
- At Diocesan Level by July 15: Submit forms, examinations; meet with
Sponsoring Presbyter and Assistant Bishop
- DISCERNMENT AND FORMATION PROCESS
- A discernment internship
- Meetings with Commission on Ministry for the Diaconate (COM-D) (Committee on Ministry for the Diaconate)
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Internship
- Courses in Core Theological and Canonical Subjects
- Capstone Experience
The following outline details these steps.
INITIAL STEPS
1. In the congregation, prior to February 15, any individual interested in discernment must meet with their Sponsoring Presbyter (Priest) of the congregation in which they have been a confirmed communicant for at least one year (preferably two or more). In a minimum of two conversations, they should review/discuss the following:
- The overall ordination process
- The Bishop's statements regarding the needs of the Diocese
- The qualifications of a deacon, including those set forth in Canon III, 6 and 7 of The Episcopal Church
- Eligibility based on age (must be ordained by age 70 in order to serve 2 years before the mandatory retirement age of 72)
- The individual’s call to the Diaconate and the grounding of that call in the life and witness of the Episcopal Church.
- The individual’s physical and spiritual health
- The importance of having a spiritual director
- The financial obligations of the ordination process
- Including fees due to the diocese for initial psychological evaluations, academic courses, and formation program.
*Note: It is the responsibility of the Sponsoring Presbyter, the congregation, and the nominee to work together to meet these costs. [See Canon III, 6.2(a)(1).] The Diocese has scholarship funds that are handled confidentially between the individual and relevant diocesan staff. This scholarship support is available to the individual throughout their formation, including financial support for a spiritual director.
2. If the Sponsoring Presbyter is convinced of the appropriateness of seeking further discernment, the name of the person is sent to the Diocese by February 15. The nomination form and a letter of endorsement from the Sponsoring Presbyter are due. At this time the individual becomes a Nominee.
(Complete the nomination form.)
NOMINEE
1. Parish Level
- Parish Discernment Committee: Before February 15th the Sponsoring Presbyter shall convene a Parish Discernment Committee (PDC). At the initial orientation meeting a COM-D member must be present to answer questions related to the process, go over PDC guidelines, and clarify tasks. The Nominee will write a spiritual autobiography, distribute it to the PDC, and meet with them 4-5 times. Once the PDC’s work is concluded, the PDC produces a written, final report that they review with the Nominee. Further instructions for all of this are in the PDC guidelines.
- Vestry: If the PDC’s recommends that the Nominee proceeds, the PDC and Nominee meet with the Vestry. If at least 2/3 of the Vestry is in agreement with the PDC, they sign a certificate of support for the Nominee. The ongoing responsibility of Vestry and guidelines are discussed with the Nominee. These guidelines for the Vestry are available here.
- Sponsoring Presbyter: If the PDC and Vestry affirm support for the Nominee’s further discernment toward the diaconate, the Sponsoring Presbyter shall write a letter to the Assistant Bishop describing their perception of the Nominee's call to the Diaconate, including the Nominee's spiritual life and development and activities in the congregation, to be included with the PDC's report, the certificate from the Vestry and the Nominee's spiritual autobiography.
NOTE: This letter and accompanying documentation are due to Patricia Sarazan no later than June 1.
(Complete the Certificate of Support of Minister and Vestry)
- Information Packet: Nominees whose names have been submitted by February 15 and who have completed all the parish level steps by June 1st will receive a packet of forms and information from the Diocese.
- Information Checklist: Nominees must send the following completed documents to Patricia Sarazen by July 15:
- Completed biographical data sheet;
- Official transcripts from all colleges and graduate or professional schools attended;
- Results of a complete physical examination (this may be done by the Nominee's own physician, but must be reported using the canonical form); and
- Release form and fee (see information packet) for a psychological examination with one of the psychologists chosen by the Assistant Bishop for such examinations.
- Meet with Assistant Bishop: The nominee shall schedule a meeting with the Assistant Bishop to take place before August 31. By early September, the Assistant Bishop will notify the Nominee whether they will be placed in a discernment internship. If they will not be placed in a discernment internship, the Assistant Bishop will direct them to other ministries.
- Official Acceptance: If granted an internship, the Nominee must sign and send an official response to the Assistant Bishop accepting the internship assignment. The date of the letter accepting the internship becomes part of the official record.
- COM-D Contact Person: once accepted for an internship, every Nominee will be assigned a COM-D contact person. Nominees should initiate communication with their contact person monthly during their internship and at least quarterly thereafter, until acceptance for ordination. Contacts can be face-to-face, virtual, or phone conversations. Email communication is also encouraged at any time. The contact person will submit three, brief written reports to the COM-D about their interactions with the Nominee (these reports will be discussed with the Nominee beforehand).
INTERN
1. Departure letter to sponsoring congregation: Since the Discernment Internship will be at a congregation different from their sponsoring one, the Nominee shall write a letter of departure to the members of their sponsoring congregation and deliver it before they begin the Discernment internship, letting them know where they are going and why; what the members of the church mean to the intern; what the discernment process means to them and their family( including whether they will be attending church in their home parish, and asking for the congregation’s continued support through prayer. This letter should appear in all normal communication vehicles at the church (i.e., newsletter, a bulletin insert, weekly email). A copy of this letter must be sent to Patricia Sarazen.
2. Discernment Internship: The Discernment Internship is scheduled for September 15 - Epiphany in Year 1.
- The intern prepares a written Agreement with the assistance of, and in consultation with, the clergy supervisor as to specific goals and activities during the Discernment Interview. (We need a template or checklist for this.) The intern sends copies of the Agreement (signed by the intern and the supervisor) to Patricia Sarazen and the Chair of the COM-D by September 15.
- Interns must meet biweekly with their parish supervisor(s), to reflect upon their ministry experiences and how the experience indicates a call to the lay order or to the diaconal order. The intern will also initiate communication monthly during the internship with the assigned contact person from the COM-D. The parish supervisor is welcome to talk with the COM-D contact person with any questions.
- In addition to meeting with parish supervisor, the supervisor shall assist the intern in forming a group of up to five parishioners who can meet with the intern from time to time at least monthly to provide feedback on the internship experience and to serve as a lay guidance and support committee for the intern.
3. Reports and Self-evaluation - Due by December 15 of Year 1
- The COM-D contact person shall submit a brief written report about his/her conversations with interns to the Chair of the COM-D.
- Interns shall write a brief reflection, not to exceed 2 pages, double-spaced. The purpose of this reflection is to explore their inner awareness of their call to the lay order or to the diaconate based on the outer experience of the internship. This theological reflection must include: how has internship supported their call to either the lay order or to the diaconate as they understand it? How has that understanding changed during the internship? How has the intern seen God at work in them?
- Intern supervisors shall write a one-to-two page evaluation, discussing the Intern's activities in that setting and including comments about their perceptions of the Intern’s discernment of call to the lay or diaconal order- and, if to the diaconal order, fitness for that order.
4. Meeting with sponsoring community: At the end of the internship, Interns must schedule a meeting with their Sponsoring Presbyter and vestry to reflect on their experience with their internship. This meeting must occur within two weeks of the end of the internship.
MEETING WITH COM-D AND BISHOP
Meeting with COM-D and Interview with Bishop: Interns attend a meeting with the COM-D in January of Year 2. The COM-D interviewers will pose a wide-ranging series of questions related to Discernment Internship and the intern’s ongoing formation and sense of call. Follow-up phone or in-person interviews with the Assistant Bishop will be scheduled by Patricia Sarazen, at which the Assistant Bishop will inform the Intern of her decision to grant Postulancy or direct them to other ministries.
POSTULANCY
- Ember Day Letters: All Postulants are required by Canon III, 6e to send a quarterly Ember Day letter to the Assistant Bishop, reflecting on their formation experiences to date and their persona and spiritual development. The Postulant shall also initiate communication with their COM-D contact person at least quarterly. A record of the occurrence of these communications will become part of the record.
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE): CPE is a core experience in which Postulants will reflect on their experiences in ministry under the guidance of a supervisor in a group with others who are being formed for the diaconate. To provide a meaningful formation experience that allows the integration of one's history, a variety of ministry skills, and a body of theology and theory, a unit of CPE incorporates several aspects central to the life of a Deacon. It will begin in the early months of the year and continue for 10 months. Specific details will be communicated closer to time.
The group process is currently conducted through online video meetings. It meets online 30 to 35 times over the 10 months of formation. The group will have four to five face-to-face meetings, including orientation, and one or two days for integration of didactics. Individual supervision will be offered via telephone and, if desired, face-to-face. The mid-unit evaluation and final evaluation are factored into the discernment for candidacy by the Assistant Bishop, the COM-D, and the Standing Committee. Additional details about CPE will be given during the orientation session.
YEAR THREE
CORE THEOLOGICAL AND CANONICAL SUBJECTS
- Core Theological & Canonical Subjects: The Postulant will begin the theological prerequisites that include three academic classes: Old Testament, New Testament and Church History, which meet sequential for 10 weeks each, January – September.
- Co-Curricular Group: While pursuing the academic classes, Postulants shall also participate in a required monthly, one hour reflection group led by a team including in-service deacons. The Postulant and others in their cohort will reflect on their experiences and what they’re learning.
CANDIDACY
1. Candidacy Meeting with Sponsoring Community: Postulants reflect on proceeding to candidacy. Postulants schedule a meeting with their Sponsoring Presbyter and Vestry to reflect together on the call of the Postulant to the diaconal order. If at least 2/3 of the Vestry and the Sponsoring Presbyter certify in writing that they approve of the Postulant moving toward ordination, the Postulant will schedule meetings with the COM-D and Standing Committee.
2. Candidacy Meetings with COM-D & Standing Committee: After receiving certification of affirmation from their sponsoring community, the COM-D will interview the Postulant and reflect with them on their discernment and experiences thus far. If the COM-D is in agreement, the Postulant will go on to meet with the Standing Committee, where a vote will be taken on whether or not to recommend them for Candidacy.
3. Candidacy Status: The Assistant Bishop, reflecting on the recommendations presented, will decide whether to confer Candidacy, normally in May or June of Year Three. If the Assistant Bishop grants Candidacy, the Candidate will receive a formal letter from the Assistant Bishop.
CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
Preaching, Liturgy, and Community Engagement: Returning to your sponsoring parish, you will focus on three areas of growth:
- Preaching: Candidates will participate in a preaching practicum that will include coaching in weekly preaching sermon preparation and delivery, with feedback on practice and actual sermons. They will be expected to preach twice in a parish setting during this time. Candidates will deliver a report on this experience to the COM-D and Patricia Sarenzen by the date given in diocesan communications.
- Liturgy: Candidates will continue to participate in the liturgy at their parish and will participate in a day-long practicum focused on the technical aspects of serving in the liturgy, particularly in actions and demeanor at the altar.
- Community Engagement. Under the supervision of the Sponsoring Rector or another priest assigned by the COM-D and/or Assistant Bishop, the Candidate work with their parish and the local community on a capstone project. This project will engage how the needs of the community can align with the work and discernment of the Church. Going deeper than a service project, Candidates should engage community leaders and organizations in broader conversations on how the Church can best collaborate with community partners to do the Gospel work of loving and serving our neighbors. Candidates will summarize and reflect upon the stages of this experience in a capstone paper to be submitted to the COM-D and Patricia Sarazen by the date given in diocesan communications.
ORDINATION
1. Application & Endorsement Forms for Ordination: At the end of the formation program, the Candidate shall have a final meeting with their Sponsoring Presbyter and Vestry. If there is agreement that the Candidate should move forward for ordination with 2/3 Vestry support, they should send in the application and endorsement forms, with all of the proper signatures.
2. Final Meetings with COM-D & Standing Committee: Once the application and endorsement have been received, the Candidate will have final meetings with the COM-D and Standing Committee to discuss completion of CPE and the Capstone Project, and final questions, concerns, and reflections. Once final recommendations are made by those respective bodies, the Assistant Bishop will make her decision regarding approval for ordination.
3. Ordinand Status: If the Assisting Bishop confirms the recommendations, then the Candidate will become an Ordinand and an ordination date will likely be set at this time. There may be a required retreat before the final ordination. Details of the retreat and of the service itself will be arranged through the Assistant Bishop’s office.
POST-ORDINATION
Formation following ordination
According to Canon III, 7 (Of the Life and Work of Deacons), section 4, sub-section (f), for “two years following ordination, new Deacons shall continue a process of formation authorized by the Bishop. Sub-section (g), The Bishop or the Bishop’s designee, in consultation with the COM-D, shall assign each newly ordained Deacon a mentor Deacon where a suitable mentor Deacon is available. The mentor and Deacon shall meet regularly for at least one year to provide guidance, information, and a sustained dialogue about diaconal ministry.”
Based on these requirements, the COM-D will refer the candidate approved for ordination to the Archdeacon who will, in consultation with the Bishop, (a) recommend a mentor Deacon and (b) agree upon a 2-year plan for continued formation of the newly ordained deacon (see below). The Archdeacon may confer with the members of the Chartered Committee for the Diaconate for both of these activities.
Expected continuing formation/education activities include:
- The annual deacons’ retreat
- Clergy conference (in October) and clergy quiet day (during Lent)
- Spiritual direction
- Other diocesan events: regularly scheduled clericus meetings in each convocation, annual diocesan convention
- Outside the diocese: participation in Association of Episcopal Deacons, continuing education courses at local divinity schools.
- Please refer to the Short Summary of Ordination chart (sidebar) for further information.
Co-chair, COM-D
Co-chair of the COM-D
