Discernment: Completion of the both parts of the two-part diocesan Discernment Process developed by the Commission on Ministry, generally taking 9-12 months. This two-part process involves both a structured regional discernment group experience, and a local discernment experience.

Application to the Bishop for Postulancy (Appendix C): This material MUST be fully completed and in the Bishops' hands before a person can be considered for participation in an Interview Day/Diaconate (held once annually, in May of each year). It is the Bishop who nominates people to an Interview Day/Diaconate. There is a limit to the number of people who can be accommodated at each Interview Day/Diaconate, and the Bishop will decide who to nominate for each Interview Day and who shall be "held" for possible inclusion in a future Interview Day.

Interview Day/Diaconate: Held in May each year. Following completion of this Interview Day, a report on each participant will be forwarded to COHO, who will consider the report and make a recommendation to the Bishop. This recommendation takes one of three possible forms:

1. Recommend for Postulancy for the Diaconate
2. Not recommended for Postulancy for the Diaconate
3. Inconclusive; further work/discernment to be completed before reconsideration

The final steps required for being named as a Postulant include a medical and psychological screening. Reports of those screenings are filed, in confidence, with the Bishop.

Deacon Formation Program (DFP): IF recommended and named as a Postulant, the Postulant enters into the DFP beginning in June, under the oversight of the Coordinator of the DFP. The DFP consists of monthly meetings AND other prescribed experiences of learning and formation, as determined for each individual.

Candidacy for Holy Orders/Diaconate: A Postulant may apply for Candidacy at any time after the end of the first full year of the DFP, if the DFP Coordinator affirms readiness for this step. The Application for Candidacy, detailed in the Ordination Handbook, must be completed and all supporting documents filed with the application. To be recommended to the Bishop for naming as a Candidate, interviews with both COHO and the Standing Committee must be satisfactorily completed.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE): While in DFP, each person will complete a certified Basic Unit of CPE or an approved alternative, unless the person in process has previously done so. CPE must be completed prior to being ordained.

Field Work (FW): While in DFP, each person will complete a term of FW, involving practical experiences in ministry under supervision of both the DFP Coordinator and a FW supervisor. This must be completed prior to being ordained.

Competency: A written examination covering the seven canonical areas of study, developed by COHO in conjunction with Examining Chaplains, must be satisfactorily completed before anyone can be approved for ordination.

Standing Committe Pre-Ordination Interview: Application to the Bishop for Ordination as a Deacon requires particular paperwork, including reports of additional medical and psychological screening. Candidates may be ordained deacon only after being interviewed by the Standing Committee and recommended to the Bishop.

Ordination: Persons are considered for ordination when all above requirements are satisfied. New deacons will continue to attend monthly DFP meetings for a period of at least three months after ordination, to solidify diaconal identity and provide a context for reflection on early experiences in ordained ministry.