Discovery Day
Saturday, March 6th
10:00 AM to Noon
Via Zoom
How does God want you to serve?
Each of us is called to the one ministry of Jesus Christ. Discovering the specific gifts and the specific ways to respond to God’s call is the purpose of Discovery Day. Join us and learn about a variety of paths for ministry. You just might discover the truth of Myra Scovel’s words from her poem, “The Wind of the Spirit.”
Put yourself into the path of the wind, Nicodemus.
Bright leaves will dance before you.
You will find yourself in places
you never dreamed of going;
you will be forced into situations
you have dreaded
and find them like a coming home.
Why Attend?
It is the faith community that calls forth leadership from its midst, choosing those who have the needed gifts for the unique situation of every opportunity for Ministry.
What you need to prepare:
For those who have not had an opportunity to do so, https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Congregations-and%20Synods/Faith-Practices/Spiritual-Renewal/Assessment-Tools
If vocation [ministry] is where our deepest gladness meets the world’s deepest need, to quote theologian Frederick Buechner, then identifying our spiritual gifts, what gives us deep gladness, is a beginning step in discernment.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsde6hpz8iHdNIpgTqVh-bQ08jAR3dJoRg. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Click here to download the meeting agenda.
Commission On Ministry
“Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.” Frederick Buechner
We are all called to ministry by virtue of our Baptism. God gives us each gifts and a community of believers to help us discern those gifts. God’s gifts often take time to unfold as we develop and hone the skills needed to make the best use of them. They may not always bring us happiness, which is fleeting, but when we use them fully, we feel a joy within our soul. We know that we are living into what God calls us to be and to do. When we apply those gifts to “the world’s greatest need,” as Dr. Buechner says, we are living into our vocation.
The Commission On Ministry, affectionately known as COM, is an important part of the community of discernment. It is established by Title III of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, which addresses the ministry of all baptized persons. It requires that each Diocese create a Commission on Ministry consisting of priests, deacons, and laypersons to provide advice and assistance to the Bishop In:
In the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, the Bishop serves, by virtue of her office, as Commission President. The Archdeacon for Deacons also serves by virtue of her office. Six laypersons and six clergy members round out the roster, serving in staggered 3-year terms. The Standing Committee, which is responsible for certifying the readiness of candidates for ordination, assigns a liaison to the COM. The liaison has voice, but no vote on matters that come before the Commission.
COM meets monthly and conducts a winter retreat for Postulants and Candidates. Other formation and discernment opportunities, in collaboration with the Stevenson School for Ministry and others, are in development. The Vice President of the Commission meets with the Bishop on a regular basis to plan agendas and schedule interviews with people in discernment. Members of the Commission serve as Companions in Discernment for nominees, postulants, and candidates as they make their way through the ordination process.
| Diocese of Central Pennsylvania The Commission on Ministry Members are as follows: The Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan, President The Episcopal Diocese P.O. Box 11937, Harrisburg, PA 17108 888-236-5959 Cell: 860-866-7412 |
The Ven. Jane Miron, Archdeacon for Deacons
Deacon St. Thomas, Lancaster
CLERGY MEMBERS: |
| The Rev. Carenda Baker Rector, All Saints, Hanover Term Ending: 2021 |
|
The Rev. Richard C. Bauer |
|
The Rev. Carlos de la Torre |
|
The Rev. Dn. Alex Dyakiw |
|
The Rev. Barbara Hutchinson |
|
The Rev. Sarah L. Weedon |
LAY MEMBERS: |
| Mary Novello (Vice President) Member, Mt. Calvary, Camp Hill Term Ending: 2021 |
|
Mrs. Elena Bartlett |
|
Mr. Edward Copeland |
|
Mr. William Lord |
|
Ms. Jane Elizabeth Miller |
|
Dr. Marion Schwartz |
|
STANDING COMMITTEE LIAISON Mr. Anthony Alexander |
Quick Links to forms needed for the Discernment Process and Other Information
Postulancy Application
Vestry Endorsement for Postulancy
Medical Exam Form
Candidacy Application
Vestry Endorsement for Candidacy
Ordination Application for Vocational Diaconate
Ordination Application for Transitional Deacon
Vestry Endorsement for Ordination as Vocational Deacon
Vestry Endorsement for Ordination as Transitional Deacon
Application for Ordination as a Priest
Vestry Endorsement for Ordination as a Priest
Checklist for Ordination to the Diaconate
Checklist for Ordination to the Priesthood
Canonical Descriptions of Licensed Lay Ministries
Press Releases
For the most recent COM press release, click here.
