1.

Applicant regularly attends his/her congregation for at least one year.

2.

Applicant discusses discernment with priest-in-charge. Initial meeting with Cory Hoehn from the Offices of the Bishop for process overview. choehn@diocesemo.org

3.

Applicant composes a 500 (approximate) word essay explaining their goals and intentions for ministry and why they would like to be a deacon. This document needs to be submitted at least one week prior to his or her initial meeting with Bishop Smith. (see item 4).

4.

Applicant meets initially with Bishop Smith.

5.

Congregational discernment committee is formed and trained. This requires approval of the Bishop in order to proceed.

6.

Applicant completes autobiographical sketch and vision statement.

7.

Discernment committee and applicant meet.

Requires between 3-6 months to complete.

8.

Discernment committee and priest-in-charge complete their respective reports.

9.

Priest and vestry/bishop's cmte. certify recommendation for postulancy. (III.6.2(a))

Postulancy for the Diaconate (PD) Application - Part I

What You Need To Know To Complete (PD-P1) (67k DOC)

ALL of the following must be included.

PD1 (74K DOC)

Discernment committee report (same as #7 above).

PD2 (62k DOC)

Priest-in-charge report (same as #7 above).

PD3 (62k DOC)

Vestry letter of support (same as #8 above).

PD4 (168k DOC)

§ Application form. (III.6.2.(b))

PD5 (52k DOC)

§ Autobiographical sketch.

PD6 (52k DOC)

§ Vision statement.

PD7 (76k DOC)

§ Self-disclosure form.

PD8 (53k DOC)

§ Personal check for $400.

PD9 (53k DOC)

§ Congregation's check for $150.

Postulancy for the Diaconate (PD) Application - Part 2

What You Need To Know To Complete (PD-P2) (63k DOC)

Requires minimum of 8 weeks to complete, includes:

PD11

§ background check

PD12a (87K DOC)

§ Life History Questionnaire, for psychological evaluation.

PD12b (724K DOC)

§ Behavior Screening Questionnaire, for psych. evaluation.

PD13 (278k DOC)

§ medical examination.

Postulancy for the Diaconate (PD) Application - Part 3

What You Need To Know To Complete (PD-P3) (60k DOC)

PD10

§ Attend the Diocesan Discernment Conference that is within 12 months prior to Postulancy Application Review.

PD14

PD15

§ Complete Church Pension Group's PlanAhead online worksheets http://www.cpg.org/ aspirants prior to the Postulancy Application Review.

PD16

Postulancy Application Review: applicant meets with Bishop Smith. Bishop may recommend Commission on Ministry (COM) interview. (III.6.3(a)2)

Postulancy for the Diaconate (PD) Application - Part 4

What You Need To Know To Complete (PD-P4) (64k DOC)

PD17 (61k DOC)

Commission on Ministry postulancy interview. (III.6.3(b))

PD18

Bishop postulancy interview to receive COM recommendation.

Following Acceptance as Postulant for the Diaconate (PD) - Part 5

What You Need To Know To Complete (PD-P5) (84k DOC)

PD19

§ Apply to Episcopal School for Ministry's (ESM) Theological Studies Program.

PD20

§ Meet with designated financial advisor regarding PlanAhead worksheets.

PD21 (50k DOC)

§ Receive, follow, and converse with the Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains (DBEC) regarding formation plan. (III.6.3(b)), (III.6.5)

§ Communicate with Bishop Smith, sponsoring congregation, and COM liaison during Ember Days. (III.6.3(e))

§ Attend Discernment Conference annually.

§ Complete one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) during summer at the end of first year of ESM. (See exceptions in PD-Part 5.)

Candidacy for the Diacoante (CD) Application - Part 1

What You Need To Know To Complete (CD-P1) (61k DOC)

To be completed by November 1^st of second year of ESM.

CD1 (67k DOC)

§ Formal application requesting candidacy. (III.6.4(a))

CD2 (66k DOC)

§ Certificate of priest and vestry/bishop's committee. (III.8.6(a)2)

CD3

§ Annual transcripts. (III.6.4(b))

CD4

§ ESM first year review. (III.6.4(b))

CD5

§ CPE evaluations (student's and supervisor's). (See exception in PD - Part 5.) (III.6.4(b))

CD6

§ Evaluation of field education (where applicable). (III.6.4(b))

Candidacy for the Diaconate (CD) Application - Part 2

What You Need To Know To Complete (CD-P2) (62k DOC)

CD7 (50k DOC)

DBEC has reviewed formation plan and certified it as 'halfway.' (III.6.4(b))

CD8 (66k DOC)

Commission on Ministry candidacy check-in at Diocesan Convention.(III.6.4(b))

CD9

Check-in meeting with Bishop Smith to receive COM recommendation. (III.6.4(b))

CD10 (59k DOC)

Standing Committee interview and approval. (III.6.4(b))

Following Acceptance as Candidate for the Diaconate (CD) - Part 3

What You Need To Know To Complete (CD-P3) (62k DOC)

§ Continue to communicate with Bishop Smith, sponsoring congregation, and COM liaison during Ember Days. (III.6.5(h))

§ Attend Discernment Conference annually.

§ Meet with Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Dan Smith during summer between middler and senior year regarding placement after graduation.

Ordination to the Diaconate (OD) Application - Part 1

What You Need To Know To Complete (OD-P1) (62k DOC)

Minimum of 18 months since acceptance as postulant required before ordination to the diaconate.

To be completed during the summer of senior year of ESM.Includes:

OD1 (69k DOC)

§ Formal application for ordination to diaconate. (III.6.6(b)(1))

OD2 (67k DOC)

§ Certificate from vestry/bishop's committee and priest. (III.6.6(b)(2))

OD3

§ ESM final transcript. (III.6.6(b)(4))

OD4

§ ESM second and third year reviews. (III.6.6(b)(4))

OD5

§ ESM certificate of completion of theological studies program. (III.6.6(b)(4))

OD6

§ CPE evaluations (student & supervisor's), if not completed at CD5.

OD7 (55K DOC)

§ Update background check, if required. (III.6.5(j)(1))

OD8 (39K DOC)

§ Update psychological evaluation, if required. (III.6.5(j)(2))

OD9 (268K DOC)

§ Update medical evaluation, if required. (III.6.5(j)(2))

OD10

§ Safe Guarding God's Children workshop (III.6.5(g))

OD11

§ Issues of Sexual Harassment workshop (III.6.5(g))

OD12

§ Constitution and Canons (Title IV) workshop (III.6.5(g))

OD13

§ Dismantling Racism Leadership workshop (III.6.5(g))

Ordination to the Diaconate (OD) Application - Part 2

What You Need To Know To Complete (OD-P2) (66k DOC)

OD16 (53K DOC)

DBEC certification of completion of formation plan. (III.6.6(b)(5))

OD17 (55K DOC)

COM certification for ordination. ((III.6.6(b)(5))

OD18 (57K DOC)

Standing Committee certification. (III.6.6(c))
Occurs on the 4^th Tuesday of September following candidate's graduation from Episcopal School for Ministry.

OD19 (61K DOC)

Ordination planning worksheet returned

Ordination To The Diaconate usually in November at Diocesan Annual Convention following graduation.