DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA FORMS FOR ADMISSION TO THE POSTULANCY 2011 FORM P1: Application for Postulancy Diocese of California 2011

PART A. To be completed by the nominee.

TO THE BISHOP OF CALIFORNIA I hereby make application to be admitted by you as a POSTULANT in the Diocese of California.

Full Name: ______PHOTOS: Please staple two passport size color photos HERE. Vocational goal: ______

Educational plan: Indicate the seminary or school that you propose to attend; if this is not a recognized seminary or theological school of the Episcopal Church, please attach a statement of not more than 100 words giving your reason for proposing a non-Episcopal school.

______

1. Telephone (home): ______(work): ______(cell): ______

2. E-mail: ______

3. Current address: ______

4. Permanent address, if different: ______

5. Birth date: ______Place: ______Gender: ______

6. Baptism: Date ______Church ______Place ______

7. Confirmation: Date ______Bishop ______Church ______Place ______

8. In what, if any, religious tradition were you raised? ______(For applicants from another tradition or denomination) I have previously been a member of ______denomination or faith for ______years.

9. List the congregations you have been active in during the past 10 years, or since turning 18, and briefly describe type of involvement. ______

10. Name of high school attended, with location: ______1 FORM P1

11. Higher education: College _____ years Graduate School _____ years Please give the following information on each college, university or theological school attended, includ- ing present course of study if currently enrolled:

College or University Years Enrolled Degree Major (from – to) Obtained Subject(s) ______- ______- ______- ______- ______

Any other training or certifications? ______

(Please have all educational institutions send transcripts directly to the Vocations Office)

12. What are your hobbies, avocations, interests? ______

13. What organizations have you been active in? ______

14. What kind of work (paid or volunteer) have you liked the best? Why? ______

15. What kind of work (paid or volunteer) have you liked the least? Why? ______

16. On a separate piece of paper summarize your work history, starting with current work. (Include significant volunteer work). Give name and location of employer, type of work, indicate paid or volun- teer and dates worked.

17. Present marital status: Single _____ Married _____ Partnered ______Separated _____ Divorced _____ Widowed _____ Other (explain) ______

18. Number of marriages: Never married _____ One _____ Two _____ More _____ Length of marriages or partnerships (in years): Present marriage _____ Previous marriages _____

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19. Name of Spouse/Partner: ______

20. Names and ages of children: ______

21. How do you intend to support yourself (and dependents, if such there be) during the remainder of your theological training? Check as many of the following as apply: Part-time employment _____ Scholarships _____ Personal savings _____ Spouse or partner to work _____ Support from parents _____ Support from ____ Support from diocese _____ Other (explain) ______

22. Do you have any large debts? If so, please explain: what is their origin, their amount, and the manner in which they are to be repaid? ______

23. On a single separate sheet, make a concise statement of the reasons for which you are moved to seek . Sign and date that sheet and attach it to this one.

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PART B. To be completed by the with oversight in the congregation.

In your opinion, how sound is the applicant’s plan for financing his or her education? ______

On the basis of all that you know about this person, how would you rate him or her at the present time as an applicant for the ordained ministry he or she seeks? Excellent _____ Good _____ Average _____ Fair _____ Poor _____

Is there anything else you want to share about the applicant at this time? ______

Signed ______Date ______Church ______

Summary of Attachments: Two photographs Educational Plan (if NOT an Episcopal institution) Work history Statement of applicant regarding reasons for seeking Holy Orders

To be mailed separately: Official transcripts of higher education directly from the institution to the Vocations Office, 1055 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Please mail Form P1 to the Vocations Office, Diocese of California, 1055 Taylor St., San Francisco CA 94108.

4 FORM P2: Personal Financial Statement Diocese of California 2011

I. Personal Profile

Name: ______Age: _____ Social Security No.: ______

Address: ______Own? _____ Rent? $______per month

Married? _____ Separated? _____ Number of Dependents: _____ Age of Dependents______

Your employer: ______Years: ______Position: ______

If employed less than one year, previous employer: ______Years: ______

II. Financial Information

This is a statement of: my individual financial condition: _____ the financial condition of myself and my spouse/partner: _____

ESTIMATED ANNUAL INCOME ESTIMATED ANNUAL EXPENSES Employment (incl. field work, work study, etc.) Academic $______Tuition $______Summer (NB: no earnings will be received from Tuition CPE (if applicable) $______CPE) $______Books & supplies $______Other (scholarships, grants, , etc.: describe) Fees (medical, library, etc.) $______$______Subtotal $______$______Special sources Living Pensions, Veterans’ Aid, etc. $______Housing $______Partner, parents, relatives $______Food $______Congregation $______Utilities $______Savings $______Clothing $______Other (describe: e.g., securities) $______Laundry/cleaning $______$______Recreation $______$______Subtotal $______$______TOTAL ESTIMATED INCOME Other $______Life insurance $______Dental insurance $______Please list here any assets (e.g., savings, stocks and Medical insurance $______bonds, real estate) not covered above: Auto (incl. insurance) $______$______Loan repayments $______$______(Total amount of loan(s) outstanding ______$______$______) ______$______Taxes $______$______Expenses not listed (describe: e.g., alimony) ______$______TOTAL ASSETS $ ______$______$______

Subtotal $______

TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSES $______1 FORM P2

III. Financial Plan

In view of the financial data given in Part II, and keeping in mind the fact that seminary or other appropriate study and some of the requirements of the ordination process (e.g., CPE) may preclude full- time work, how do you plan to finance your theological education?

2 FORM P3: Letter of Recommendation for Postulancy Diocese of California 2011

To the applicant: Please give this form together with the Bishop’s cover letter to each of the four persons whom you have asked for a letter of recommendation. Be sure to check one of the following boxes. I waive my right to see this recommendation. I do not waive my right to see this recommendation. Signature of applicant ______Date ______

______

Name of person writing this recommendation: ______

Address: ______

In what capacity have you known the applicant? ______

For how long have you known the applicant? ______

Signature: ______Date: ______

EVALUATION

The Episcopal Diocese of California

1055 Taylor Street San Francisco, California 94108 Telephone: (415) 673-5015

Date ______

Dear ______,

Thank you for agreeing to provide us with information about ______, an applicant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church. Your letter will be maintained in confidence, seen only by those directly involved in the applicant’s evaluation process. You may also wish to require the applicant to waive his or her right to see this recommendation.

Please tell us what you know regarding strengths and weaknesses of the applicant. Relate, if appropriate, any personal experiences you feel would be helpful in our evaluation of this individual. Your confidential input is important and we appreciate your taking the time to provide this information. Each applicant is responsible for having at least four of these reference letters in his or her file.

Please address your letter to me, in care of the Vocations Coordinator, at the above address. It would be most helpful if I could receive it by ______, or at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully in Christ,

Marc Handley Andrus Bishop of California FORM P4: Clergy Letter of Support for Postulancy Diocese of California 2011

A Guideline for the Letter of Recommendation from a or Vicar or Clergy with Oversight of the Sponsoring Congregation

A nominee for Holy Orders requires a letter of support addressed to the Bishop from the Vicar or Rector or Clergy with Oversight of the sponsoring congregation in to apply for postulancy. The letter should include an assessment of these items: x How long have you known this person? x How long has this person been a member of the congregation? x What has been this person’s involvement in the life of the congregation and community? x How has the congregation discovered and encouraged this person’s call to Holy Orders? x How have you come to understand, through intensive discussion, what moves the person to seek Holy Orders? x What are your reasons for recommending this person? x What are your impressions of the spirituality, faithfulness in worship and reception of sacra- ments, prayer life, understanding of the Church’s faith, knowledge of scriptures, loving interac- tion with others, and sense of social responsibility of the person seeking Holy Orders? x What areas for growth and development should the person consider? x How will ordination of this person enhance the special gifts and talents of the ministry of all Christians?

Please send letter to the Vocations Office, Diocese of California, 1055 Taylor St., San Francisco CA 94110 FORM P5: Local Discernment Committee Evaluation Diocese of California 2011

Applicant’s Name: ______Congregation: ______How many members make up your committee? _____ What is the composition of the committee: ______members of the sponsoring congregation ______Area Ministry Team _____ Deanery How many times have you met with the applicant? _____, over _____ months Evaluation completed by: ______Date: ______

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To the Members of the Local Discernment Committee (LDC):

The Commission on Ministry asks you to provide by means of this composite evaluation information that the Church deems essential to our appraisal of an applicant for holy orders. We suggest that the chair of the committee fill out the evaluation, perhaps at a meeting of the entire group, based on the considered judgment of all of you. Each of the questions is important. If some of them appear highly personal, this is because the pressures of the ordained life require exceptional stability, maturity and discipline in personal life. Due to the nature of the informa- tion requested, it will be held in strict confidence, available only to the members of the Com- mission on Ministry, the Standing Committee, and the Bishop.

In some questions, you are asked for specific examples of how you have observed the applicant “in action.” We hope in this way to acquire a picture of how you see this person serv- ing in holy orders. Since you have observed the applicant in a setting similar to one in which he or she might eventually minister, your perspective here is especially important to us.

Besides specificity, the most useful characteristic of your report for us will be its candor, which may require negative comments when they reflect the truth. Be assured that no single remark or evaluation will result in disapproval of the applicant. On the contrary, negative evaluations can provide the commission with an accurate picture of the applicant’s potential for holy orders.

The questions are listed first. Please attach sheets with your answers, indicating clearly which question is being answered. This form and your answers should be returned directly to the Vocations Office, Diocese of California, 1055 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94108. Any further comments that individual members of the committee may wish to send should be addressed to the same office.

N. B.: “Congregation” refers to a parish, mission or cathedral congregation.

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1. The applicant’s relationship with the sponsoring congregation: A. How long has the applicant been an active member of his or her congregation? B. List all the areas of ministry supervised and/or evaluated by the LDC.

2. Describe the applicant’s practices of prayer and worship.

3. The applicant’s understanding of ministry: A. How does the applicant define the ministry of the Church and of his or her congregation? B. How does the applicant define the ministry of the laity, and of ordained persons? C. Is it clear to you that the applicant understands the unique qualities of lay and ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church?

4. The applicant’s call to ordained ministry: A. How does he or she describe being called to ordained ministry? B. Why does the applicant believe ordination is necessary to his or her practice of ministry? C. What gifts for ordained ministry are evident in the applicant’s life in his or her congregation? D. Describe ways in which your congregation calls him or her to minister to and with parishioners.

5. The applicant’s role in congregational ministry: A. How does he or she work with groups, as a leader, teacher, participant? B. Is he or she sensitive to people of other ethnic groups, to diversity of life styles? C. How does the applicant deal with others’ feelings and beliefs? Is he or she open, accepting, forgiving and able to show the reconciling love of God in Christ? D. To what degree does the applicant show an interest in people? Does he or she seem to have time and energy for others? E. Are there issues of a personal nature which have surfaced during the applicant’s ministry in his or her congregation?

6. The applicant’s readiness for entry into the ordination process: A. How does he or she work under the authority of clergy and lay leaders? B. How does the applicant relate to the clergy and congregation when he or she is opposed to some decision or policy? C. Does the applicant pledge? tithe? show understanding of financial stewardship? D. Describe the applicant’s relationships with family and friends. Do you see any problems in this regard? E. How does he or she take time for self? F. Evaluate the applicant’s plans for education and the financing of these plans.

7. Based on the information above and on the committee’s personal knowledge of the applicant, summarize the committee’s opinion of his or her desire to enter the ordination process at this time. 2 FORM P6: Congregational Endorsement of Application for Postulancy Diocese of California 2011

Date ______To: The Bishop and the Commission on Ministry of the Diocese of California

We, the undersigned, testify to our belief based on personal knowledge, or evidence satisfactory to us, that ______is qualified to be a postulant for Holy Orders, and we offer the following reasons for this belief:

We do, furthermore, declare that this applicant is a communicant of this church, in good standing.

Signed ______Rector, Vicar, or other Minister of the Congregation

Signatures of Vestry/Bishop’s Committee Members (requires two-thirds majority of all members)

______FORM P6

Attestation of the Foregoing Certificate

I hereby certify that the foregoing certificate was signed at a meeting of the Vestry/Bishop’s Committee of ______Church, duly convened at ______on the ______day of ______, ______, and that the names attached are those of at least a two-thirds majority of all the members of the Vestry/Bishop’s Committee.

Signed ______Clerk (or Secretary) of the Vestry/Bishop’s Committee

Send this form to the Vocations Office, Diocese of California, 1055 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94108.

2 FORM P7: Interview with Member of the Commission on Ministry for Postulancy Diocese of California 2011

Applicant: ______

Address: ______

Telephone: (Day) ______(Evening) ______(Cell) ______E-mail ______

Congregation: ______

Postulancy Application (Form P1) signed by: ______

COM Interviewer: ______Date of Interview: ______

(Please be as specific as possible in defining any difficulties you sense that this person may encounter as s/he undertakes the ordination process.)

Evaluation:

Please return this form to the Vocations Office before the Vocations Conference.. FORM P8: Interview with the Bishop for Postulancy Diocese of California 2011

Applicant: ______

Address: ______

Congregation: ______

Bishop’s evaluation:

Bishop’s signature ______Date ______

Please return directly to the Vocations Office. FORM P9: Vocations Conference Report to COM Diocese of California 2011

Date: ______Name of Nominee: ______Vocational goal: ______

Members of Interviewing Team: ______

Overall impression of Nominee:

Gifts and strengths:

Developmental needs and challenges:

We †recommend †do not recommend †recommend with reservations (specify)

Signature of Team Member filling out form: ______

Send form to the Vocations Office before the next scheduled meeting.