APPLICATION FOR LICENSED LAY MINISTRY IN THE EPISCOPAL OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

[THIS APPLICATION IS THREE PAGES. Please fill out both pages - print or type.]

Qualifications Required Canon III.4 requires that in order for you to be a Licensed Lay Minister, you must be a “confirmed communicant in good standing.” Canon I.17 states that in order to be a confirmed communicate in good standing you must: • Be baptized in a Christian Church, and the record of your baptism must be recorded in this Church (your “Letter” must be in and Episcopal church), • Be Confirmed or Received by a in the Episcopal Church (if you were baptized by a Bishop, you are considered to be both baptized and Confirmed), • Have attended church at least three times in the previous year (although we certainly hope you will have gone more!), and • Have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God (normally interpreted to mean that you must have made a pledge to your ).

Canon 111.4.2 requires that this application must be endorsed by your Rector or -in- Charge.

Portability Canon III.4.2.c provides: A person licensed in any Diocese under the provisions of this Canon may serve in another congregation or other community of faith in the same or another Diocese only at the invitation of the Member of the or other leader exercising oversight, and with the consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority in whose jurisdiction the service will occur.

Training and Supervision The bishop entrusts training and supervision of Licensed Lay Ministers to the Clergy in charge of the congregation. This License is valid for five years unless otherwise revoked.

Shelf Life Licenses are valid for five (5) years and are automatically void after that time.

Please check the license for which you are applying. You may apply for more than one.

____ Worship Leader (Canon III.4.4) A Worship Leader is a lay person who regularly leads public worship under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

____ Eucharistic Minister (Canon III.4.6) A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister should normally act under the direction of a , if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

____ Eucharistic Visitor (Canon III.4.7) A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community.

Eucharistic Visitors must have had the required training in Preventing Sexual Exploitation. Have you had this training in the last 5 years?

Yes What date and place?

No. Please obtain this training before you apply for this license. You may call Kelly Stephenson at 828-225-6656 to learn about training opportunities.

To be filled out by applicant:

______Full name of applicant

______Parish name and city or town

I solemnly state that I am a confirmed communicant in good standing and active in support of my congregation.

Baptized:

______Date Parish name , City, and State

Confirmed/Received in Episcopal Church (required):

______Date Parish name, City, and State

______Applicant’s Signature

2

To be filled out by supervising clergy:

Why was this person selected? How was s/he trained?

What provisions are in place for ongoing supervision and training?

I support this person’s application:

______Signature of priest responsible for congregation Date

______Please print or type name

______Title

Illegible or incomplete applications will be returned. Please send completed applications or address questions to: Kelly Stephenson [email protected] phone 828-225-6656 The Episcopal Diocese of WNC 900B CentrePark Drive Asheville, NC 28805

3