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| LAY MINISTRY |
Episcopal Vicar: The Rector of Formation The OCCE welcomes interest and invites applications from committed members of its congregations to discern and explore opportunities in lay ministry. Examples of licensed lay ministry are Pastoral Worker, Reader or permanent Sub-deacon other forms of lay ministry not requiring a license but instead some training and a certificate include Hospital Visitor, Christian Listening Counsellor, Sunday School Teacher and Parish Catechetist. No monetary remuneration is offered for these posts either licensed or un-licensed however some Congregations may cover a percentage of or all expenses. Essentially lay ministry is voluntary and a gift of the persons own talents, abilities, time and resources to expressing a more committed participation in the life of the Church. Training is coordinated by the Episcopal Vicar and may include participation on courses with other Churches or external organisations as well as internal provision. Training for a Licensed or Certificated Ministry may involve deeper study theologically or pedagogically which may be charged for either by an external or internal provider to cover costs which the student will have to cover (however, assistance can be offered to candidates who are un-waged or on a low income). Some or all of these positions require statutory checks with relevant Government agencies. |
LICENSED MINISTRY |
PASTORAL WORKER: Responsible for representing the church or parish in home or health institution visitations, calls to new or potential members, and other contacts involving care and support. May coordinate the activities of lay volunteers or coordinate education or social out-reach activities in support of the parochial clergy; a licensed lay minister of the Church. READER: A lay person authorised for the Church by license of the Diocesan Bishop to assist in the liturgical reading of Scriptural texts within the context of Divine Worship i.e. the Mass, Offices and Rites of the Church. SUB-DEACON (Permanent): A layman with a vocation to serve the Church as a cleric (meaning he is bound by Canonical Law and the recitation of the Divine Office) but not as a Sacred Minister (i.e. deacon or priest) who assists in the celebration of the solemn offering of the Liturgy of the Church (Mass, Offices and Rites) in the Sanctuary. A Sub-deacon may also fulfil a pastoral role in the parish assisting the clergy as directed and working alongside a Pastoral Worker sharing in pastoral provision. It is his special prerogative to read/sing the Epistle at High Mass whenever it is celebrated in the parish in which he resides and to assist in such capacity around the Diocese when invited to do so. Is also permitted to administer the Blessed Sacrament. |
CERTIFICATED MINISTRY |
HOSPITAL VISITOR: A person who shares in the pastoral provision of visits to members of the congregation who may be hospitalised or generally as part of the parish’s outreach activities to visit hospitals. They are to “befriend” the sick, visiting them regularly, providing what assistance they can to make their stay in hospital comfortable and endurable, to be a listener and to encourage their wellbeing. CHRISTIAN LISTENING COUNSELLOR: A specific activity in some parishes providing a drop-in service to the public generally for people who wish to know more about the Christian faith or who want to talk and to share a problem with someone objectively. This ministry is specialist in that certain courses must be completed. The role of a Counsellor is not to give advice but to listen and perhaps assist the person to find appropriate help from official and professional sources if necessary i.e. a spiritual problem, crisis of faith etc they would direct the person to a cleric; an employment, health or social problem they would refer them to the appropriate public service provider, Housing Office, Jobcentre, Clinic etc. SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER: A person keen to assist in the development of the Faith with children properly belonging to the Church i.e. the children of parents who are members of the congregation. They inform the young of the basic teachings of the Faith, familiarising them with various expressions and practical aspects of the Faith and introducing and providing familiarity with the Scriptures and story of the Church. PARISH CATECHIST: A person who assists in the education of young and mature adults in preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. They may also assist in the provision of education for the laity generally in coordinating, running and facilitating Study Groups and other such activities designed to communicate the teaching of the Church and inform on the responsibilities of Confirmed members of the Church and of the Faith generally. |
Information & Training |
CONTACT: Email Canon M Douglas for more information concerning these ministries, discernment and vocation as well as training. |