Episcopal Diocese of Newark Commission on Ministry

Important Announcement Affecting Those Wishing to Enter the Process Leading Towards Ordination to the Priesthood or to the Diaconate

At the 2008 Annual Convention of the Diocese of Newark, Bishop Mark Beckwith announced that, effective immediately, the Commission on Ministry will enter into a year of intentional discernment. During this time no new admissions will be made to the formal diocesan process that leads toward ordination to the priesthood or to the diaconate.

Those people who are already a part of the process toward ordination will continue as usual.

The Commission on Ministry is responsible for advising and assisting the Bishop "in the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons" as well as in the "design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment" and "formation for ministry" of all baptized persons.

In the Fall of 2007 the Bishop and the Commission on Ministry together attended a collaborative working retreat. Its mission was to explore ways in which the Commission’s advice and oversight function could best be accomplished while incorporating the recent changes in the Canons of the National Church. Together, the Bishop and Commission determined that it would be wise for the Commission, during 2008, to focus its attention on achieving this goal. To assist in this process, the Commission will work closely with other commissions and committees within the Diocese.

Historically, the Commission has principally concentrated its efforts on assisting the Bishop and those persons seeking to become ordained priests and deacons. With its new charter, the Commission will assist the Bishop in addressing the opportunities for all persons, including the ministry of lay persons who may or may not wish to enter a process leading to ordination.

Those persons presently in a formal discernment process with a parish group leading to ordination are encouraged to use this time fully. Members of the Commission and the Diaconal Ordination Committee are available to meet with these individuals, their parish priest, and parish discernment committee to ensure that this time is used wisely and that the parish discernment process is an effective and meaningful one.

In those cases where one wishes to enter into a formal parish discernment process, the parish priest is to contact the Chair of the Commission or the Diaconal Ordination Committee to arrange for a meeting before establishing a parish discernment committee.

Please also be advised that any of the requirements, outlined in the Guidelines toward ordination to the priesthood or diaconate on this website, are subject to change.

Any questions regarding this announcement should be directed to Paul R. Shackford, Chair of the Commission on Ministry, at 201 768-6885 (pshackford@gmail.com) or The Rev. Paul Olsson, Chair of the Diaconal Ordination Committee, at 973 285-0884 (rectorstpaulsmp@att.net).