Diaconate
Download the 2011 Guidelines for Diaconal Discernment
The Rt. Rev. Rodney Michel, Assisting Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, in consultation with the Diocesan Office for Transition Ministry, announces the following 2011 schedule and deadlines for processing new nominees for ordination to the diaconate of The Episcopal Church.
By June 15th: Bishop Michel will have received a rector’s nominee recommendation, and the nominee will have met with Bishop Michel who decides whether he/she continues in the ordination process.
By July 15th: Nominee meets with Canon Jill Mathis, Office for Transition Ministry, to discuss process requirements and procedures.
By October 15th: All reports and other paperwork must be completed and received in Canon Mathis’ office. These include a medical examination and the psychological evaluation.
By early November: Bishop Michel will invite nominees to a Pre-Postulancy Conference by and with the Commission on Ministry in December 2011.
The importance and necessity of this schedule is due to the amount of administrative time needed for the nominees, Canon Mathis’s office and the Commission on Ministry to process and complete nominees’ files prior to the Pre-Postulancy Conference. On average this can take five to six months per nominee.
Rectors or other clergy in charge of congregations are reminded that their questions and/or letters of recommendation should be directed to Bishop Michel at Church House.
One final reminder: this schedule pertains only to persons and nominees who believe they have a vocational call to the diaconate, not the priesthood.
