EDSD: » Lay Licensing

Lay Licensing

Lay licensing is the process by which the Bishop grants formal and official permission to individuals who are not ordained to carry out certain ministerial acts in accordance with the Canons of The Episcopal Church
(III.4.1-9).
In Baptism, all members of the Episcopal Church are invited into ministry. While engagement in ministry may take many different forms, there are certain ministries that are granted official training and licensing. The process for each of the Lay licenses provided in The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego are explained on this page.
Requirements for Lay License
All applicants for lay license must be confirmed members in good standing of the Episcopal Church. Below are the steps necessary to receive a license.
First Step:
Obtain a Nomination for Lay License from the head of your home congregation (prior to training)
Next Steps (these may be completed in any order):
Completed Safe Church Safe Communities Training
Completed Praesidium Background Check through The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
Complete EDSD approved Antiracism Training
Completed EDSD Lay License Training as listed under each tab below

Catechist

A Catechist is a lay person authorized to prepare persons for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, and shall function under the direction of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Applicants for a catechist license must attend a six session training course. The date and time for the course will be released in May of each year, with applications closing on July 1st. The six sessions include:

August – Faith Formation for Children & Youth

September – Faith Formation with Adults

October – Formation in Congregational Life

November – Curriculum Review and Development

January – Baptism and Confirmation

February – Project Review and Presentation

*This license also requires Knowing Yourself Training offered by The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

Questions about the Catechist License may be directed to Charlette Preslar, cpreslar@edsd.org.
Eucharistic Visitor

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. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith.

Eucharistic Visitor training is a one-day course that takes place four times each year in February, May, August, and November. Applicants may register for the course once their application and nomination is complete. Required reading before the course includes: With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life, by Henry Nouwen; and A Manual for Eucharistic Visitors, by Beth Wickenberg Ely.

Questions about the Eucharistic Visitor License may be directed to Charlette Preslar, director of formation, cpreslar@edsd.org.
Evangelist

An Evangelist is a lay person who presents the good news of Jesus Christ in such a way that people are led to receive Christ as Savior and follow Christ as Lord in the fellowship of the Church. An Evangelist assists with the community’s ministry of evangelism in partnership with the Presbyter or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation, or as directed by the Bishop.

Applicants for an evangelist license must attend a four-session training course held annually in June and July. The date and time for the course will be released in March of each year, with applications closing on May 1st.

*This license also requires Knowing Yourself Training offered by The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

Questions about the Evangelist License may be directed to Jason Evans, jevans@edsd.org.
Preacher

A Preacher is a layperson 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.

A Lay Preaching course is offered through the West Coast Collaborative. The year long course covers scripture and homiletics, the art of preaching. Registration takes place each Fall.

Enroll in the Lay Preaching Course at the West Coast Collaborative

Contact the Reverend Susan Latimer, deansfm@edsd.org with any questions related to the course. If you have other experience that would meet the requirements of the license, please communicate that to Reverend Latimer and she can guide you on next steps.

*This license also requires Knowing Yourself Training offered by The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
Commissioning Liturgies

After the Bishop has certified the licensing of a layperson, it is strongly encouraged that the nominating congregation commissions the licensee during Sunday worship. There are several liturgies that can be amended based on the available time in your services.

Extended: Beginning on p. 225 of the Book Occasional Services (2018) there are liturgies that may be amended.

Moderate: The Episcopal Diocese of Maine has created a liturgy for the licensing of lay persons.

Shorter: The Bishop’s revival visitation includes a Commissioning Prayer & Blessing that may be amended.

Shortest: In the Book of Common Prayer, “A Form of Commitment to Christian Service” found on p. 420-421 may also be amended.