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).
Lay licenses include Catechist, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Evangelist, Pastoral Leader, Preacher, Worship Leader. See Episcopal Church Canon III.4.1-9 for a detailed description of each.
To be licensed, an individual is nominated by their head of congregation and vestry or bishop’s committee. The head of congregation is typically the rector, vicar, or priest-in-charge. If a congregation is in transition and does not currently have clergy in charge, the senior warden or bishop’s warden would sign as head of congregation.
If you have not completed Safeguarding God’s Children and would like to, click HERE to register and complete the online training.
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The letter may also include confirmation of appropriate formation through an accredited college, university, seminary, EfM or equivalent institution:
* Completion of EfM years One and Two, or completion of 4 semester-long courses in New and Old Testament
** Completion of EfM years Three, and Four, or completion of a 4 semester courses in Church History and Theology
*** Completion of EfM mentor training, or completion of a half-semester course on teaching and/or group facilitation on methods of catechesis
