Episcopal Diocese of Maine

STEPS

HANDBOOK REFERENCE

I. Preparation Before Application

Meet with priest

Meet with Bishop

Attend Ministry Faire bring Priest or lay leaders as possible

page 3

Complete "Here Am I, Send Me" Discernment Group

Complete "Bound with Cords of Love" Discernment Group

Full report of participation sent to Bishop

II. Complete Application for Postulancy

Consult with Priest-in-Charge and Vestry/Bishop's Committee prior to completing application.

II. A-D; Appendix C and Appendix N.1

III. From Application to Postulancy

Bishop nominates persons to attend COHO Interview Day

Occurs once a year in late Fall

III.A

Report of Interview Day Team to COHO

III.B

COHO reports to Bishop

III.C

Psychological and Medical Reports completed

III.E

Bishop enrolls person as Postulant

III.F

IV. From Postulancy to Candidacy

COHO assigns Companion

Appendix O

Postulant must comply with Ember Day communications

See Bishop and COHO for details, if needed.

Postulant begins training

Begins Seminary.  Bishop will oversee formation requirements/obligations.  Note: Seminarian must provide transcript each Spring after end of semester.

IV.A

Completion of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

CPE can be taken at any time prior to Candidancy

Appendix F

With concent of Bishop, apply for Candidacy

Postulant must obtain separate endorsements from Priest-in-Charge and Vestry/Bishop’s Committee. Postulant notifies COHO and Standing Committee of readiness for interview.

Appendix F

COHO interviews Postulant for Candidacy

IV.D&E

COHO recommends Postulant for Candidacy to Bishop and Standing Committee

IV.F

Standing Committee interviews Postulant and endorses for Candidacy

IV.G

Bishop writes letter enrolling person as Candidate

IV.H

V. From Candidacy to the Transitional Diaconate

Take GOE or other instrument

Must demonstrate proficiency in all seven Canonical areas.  COHO/Examining Chaplains recommend remediation if proficiency is not demonstrated.

V.A(4) and Appendix P

Completion of second set of Psychological and Medical examinations

V.A

With consent of Bishop, apply for Ordination to Transitional Diaconate

Postulant must obtain separate endorsements from Priest-in-Charge and Vestry/Bishop’s Committee. Postulant notifies Standing Committee of readiness for interview.

Appendix I

Standing Committee reviews application and recommends Ordination

Bishop ordains and approves assignment to parochial cure or other opportunity

V.D

VI. From Transitional Diaconate to Priesthood

Apply to Standing Committee for ordination to Priesthood

Appendix M

Standing Committee recommends ordination

Interview may be required

Bishop may take order for Ordination to Priesthood