Steps to Ordination - The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California

Please print the entire Ordination Manual and supporting documents posted below, which contain all the forms needed throughout the process toward ordination. Reading the Ordination Manual in its entirety will explain each step of the process. (It is recommended that both clergy and applicants review the materials carefully.)

Ordination Manual

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Supporting Documents

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Fillable Application Form

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Accounting Policy Regarding Discernment

Purpose/Intent of Policy: To create a procedure for receiving, paying, and accounting for funds on behalf of discernment nominees.

Staff/Department Responsible for Implementation: Executive Assistant to the Bishop, Accounting

Procedures:
1) Once a nominee submits an approved application for the process of discernment towards Holy Orders, the Executive Assistant (EA) will provide a copy of the recommendation signed by the sponsoring Rector/Vicar and Vestry/Mission Committee to Accounting to initiate an invoice for the associated congregation.
2) The Diocese will charge a flat fee of $1,050 for each nominee.
3) The funds will be held in deferred revenue until the correlating expenses are paid by the Diocese on behalf of the nominee.
4) The EA will initiate the application process when payment is received from the congregation.
5) If the nominee cancels the process, he/she must submit a signed letter of cancellation to the EA, who will provide Accounting with a copy to initiate a refund to the congregation of any unused funds.
6) As expenses are paid, funds will be moved from deferred revenue into the Discernment Applications income account. Correlating expenses are to be paid out of the Discernment Applications expense account.
7) Any fees received in excess of the actual costs are to be held as an administrative income fee.

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FAQs

· Where do I send my application materials?
Send all application materials to The Rt. Rev. Barry Beisner, Office of the Bishop, 350 University Avenue, Suite 280, Sacramento, CA 95825. Direct all post-secondary transcripts and letters of recommendation to that address as well.

· Should I wait until everything is finished and send it in all together, or should I send each part of the process when it is ready?
It is best to send each part (medical evaluation, transcripts, letters, application) as it becomes available. In that way the Office of the Bishop can assist in monitoring the progress of the application.

· Do I need to go to a certain physician for my medical exam?
No, you can choose your physician, but he/she must fill out the form included with the Supplemental Documents.

· Who pays for my background report and psychological evaluation?
Your church will initially be invoiced for the entire amount, and they will work out a repayment plan with you.

· Who is allowed to see the results of my background report and psychological evaluation?
Only the Bishop can see the full background report. The Bishop and his psychological consultant will review the results of the psychological evaluation. Both reports will be held in strictest confidence.

· When is all of my application material due to the Office of the Bishop?
The deadline for applications is approximately six weeks prior to a Discernment Retreat. You will be notified of the deadline when your signed Vestry/Rector recommendation form is received.

· What if I have questions that are not answered in the Ordination Manual?
Feel free to contact the Bishop’s Executive Assistant, Jenifer Campo, who can be reached at Jenifer@norcalepiscopal.org or (916) 442-6918 extension 213.

· How many applicants are typically included in a Discernment Retreat?
The maximum number of applicants at a retreat is five, but there can be fewer.

· Where are the Discernment Retreats held, and how long are they?
Most of our retreats are held at Mercy Center Auburn, in the southeastern part of the Diocese, although retreats have occasionally been held elsewhere. A retreat starts prior to dinner on Friday and ends after lunch on Sunday.

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Congregational Commission on Ministry (CCOM)