Lay Preacher

The Bishop will license a lay person at the request of the priest in charge. In order to be considered for licensing, a lay person must be a confirmed communicant in good standing. The license is issued for three years and may require additional training before renewal. Lay preachers “have at least two years of seminary education, successfully completed Education for Ministry, or equivalent training or preparation accepted by the Bishop.” Equivalent training includes either successful completion of the three pre-requisite classes offered by Bexley Seabury or graduation from Education for Ministry, followed by the Preaching Sermon Camp at Bexley Seabury. All this is in accordance with Canon III.4.5 of the National Canons: “A Preacher is a lay person authorized to preach. Persons so authorized shall only preach in congregations under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other
community of faith.”

Additional requirements:

The first step is a conversation with your Priest-in-Charge to have a conversation and discern.

Eucharistic Minister

The Ministry

A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister acts under the direction of clergy exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Training and Licensing

Individuals wishing to serve as Eucharistic Ministers and/or Eucharistic Visitors should do the following:

  1. Meet with your clergyperson to discuss the ministry of a Eucharistic Minister and your desire to serve in this ministry.
  2. Ensure that you are currently a confirmed communicant in good standing in your parish.
  3. Complete appropriate training with your parish clergyperson. Training curriculum is determined by Rector or Priest in Charge of congregation.
  4. Ensure that your Safe Church certification is up to date.
  5. After above requirements are complete, you will be ready to apply to the bishop’s office for a license. Please work with your parish clergy to submit the Eucharistic Minister License Request.

 

Eucharistic Visitor

The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island licenses lay people to serve as Eucharistic Visitors. Training for this ministry is conducted by the Diocese.

The Ministry

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 of the Eucharist. A Eucharistic Visitor acts under the direction of the member of the clergy exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Training and Licensing

Individuals wishing to serve as Eucharistic Visitors should do the following:

  1. Meet with your clergyperson to discuss the ministry of a Eucharistic and your desire to serve in this ministry.
  2. Ensure that you are currently a confirmed/received communicant in good standing in your parish.
  3. Contact the Diocesan Eucharistic Visitor Trainer at diohouse@episcopalri.org
  4. Ensure that your Safe Church certification is up to date.
  5. The church office must run a background check.
  6. After above requirements are complete, you will be ready to apply to the bishop’s office for a license. Please work with your parish clergy to submit the Eucharistic Visitor License Request.

Resource Fund Grants

The Diocesan Resource fund is a grant source for congregations in the diocese.  Applications that the CoF recommends for approval will be considered by Diocesan Council for final approval. Applications up to $20,000 will be considered with the documented financial need of the congregation. Projects over and above $20,000 may be eligible for consideration by the Revolving Loan Fund, and you will receive a recommendation to apply if the Commission deems it appropriate. Churches will receive no more than one grant per calendar year.

Submit your initial application: click here

Mutual Ministry Review: A Process of Continuous Improvement

Mutual Ministry Review is a process to help congregations conduct mutual ministry reviews on a rolling basis throughout the year.

A ministry review focuses on the ministry. The goal is to continually improve how we do ministry together because we have a shared passion for our part of God’s mission in the world. The focus is on how WE, together, can participate God’s mission in our community more effectively.

Click here for document

Responding to Hurricane Dorian and how to help

Responding As Hurricane Dorian Continues North

Web Statement from Episcopal Relief & Development

September 4, 2019

Episcopal Relief & Development continues to support dioceses in the path of Hurricane Dorian as the storm slowly moves north along the eastern coast of the United States.

As of Wednesday morning, September 4, Hurricane Dorian has moved past the Bahamas, leaving a path of devastation, and has begun slowly crawling along the eastern coast of the United States. Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect in parts of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas as residents prepare for high winds, rainfall and a potentially dangerous storm surge.

Program staff remain in daily contact with impacted dioceses as they prepare for and wait out the storm. Working through the Anglican Alliance, Episcopal Relief & Development will be supporting a response in the Bahamas as the Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos begins to evaluate and assess the needs of local communities in the diocese.

“Disasters have three phases: rescue, relief and recovery,” said Katie Mears, Senior Director for Episcopal Relief & Development’s US Disaster Program. “Hurricane Dorian is a slow moving storm so we are still in the very early stages of this crisis. Impacted dioceses are prepared to respond and begin assessing damage as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Donations to the Hurricane Relief Fund will help Episcopal Relief & Development’s Church partners respond to the storm. Please continue to pray for the individuals and families affected as well as the first-responders providing emergency assistance. To learn more about building a Season of Resilience and to download disaster preparedness resources, visit episcopalrelief.org/resilience. Church bulletin inserts can be downloaded here.

For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been working together with supporters and partners for lasting change around the world. Each year the organization facilitates healthier, more fulfilling lives for more than 3 million people struggling with hunger, poverty, disaster and disease. Inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25, Episcopal Relief & Development leverages the expertise and resources of Anglican and other partners to deliver measurable and sustainable change in three signature program areas: Women, Children and Climate.