guidelines_es[1]

The United Church of Canada L’Église Unie du Canada Faith Formation and Education 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4 Procedures for the Presbytery/District Education and Students Committee Always check the United Church website (www.united-church.ca) for the most up-to-date forms and guidelines. The Education and Students (E&S) Committee plays a central role in the candidacy process and is responsible for a number of reporting functions to presbytery/district, Conference, and the Faith Formation and Education Unit. The Convenor of the committee sees that the processes are carried out and the requisite forms are kept up to date. Candidacy Process Inquiry Stage 1. The E&S Committee receives form FFE 201: Action Recognizing an Inquirer from the clerk of session of the inquirer’s congregation and appoints one or two representatives to a discernment committee. The committee completes FFE 201 and distributes it as indicated on page 2 of the form. FFE 200: Record Card for Inquirers/Candidates should be started at this point and kept up to date throughout the process. 2. When the discernment meetings have concluded and the session has recommended its support for the inquirer, the session sends the following to the E&S Committee: • FFE 203: Report of Action by Session and Presbytery/District • FFE 202(a): Report and Recommendation of Discernment Committee • FFE 202(b): Application to Be Received as a Candidate for Ordered Ministry or FFE 503: Application to Be Received as Lay Pastoral Minister-in-Training or FFE 701: Application to Be Received as a Staff Associate 3. The E&S Committee completes FFE 203, page 2, and sends the whole package to the Conference Interview Board (CIB). Candidacy 1. Following the meeting with the CIB, the E&S Committee interviews the inquirer. (See FFE 233: Guide for Interviews.) 2. The E&S Committee recommends or does not recommend that presbytery/district grant candidacy for ordained or diaconal ministry, lay pastoral ministry, or status as a staff associate. 3. The E&S Committee completes FFE 203, page 3, and distributes it as indicated on that page. 4. The E&S Committee completes FFE 204: Initial Certification to School or Program and sends it to the educational institution. 1 Procedures for the Presbytery/District Education and Students Committee (2007) Continuing the Process The E&S Committee continues its oversight of each candidate by means of the following: • The annual interview (see FFE 233: Guide for Interviews) and a subsequent report to presbytery/district, FFE 206: Annual Confirmation of Status by Presbytery/District. For the interview, the committee needs • the school’s FFE 217: Annual Theological School Report to Presbytery/District E&S Committee Regarding Inquirers and Candidates • the candidate’s FFE 205: Annual Self-Assessment Form. • Discussion with the candidate about Supervised Ministry Education requirements and approving requests for such educational experiences (FFE 207(b): Application for Supervised Ministry Education Experience, page 3). • Consideration of requests for exceptions to normal policies and recommendations to the appropriate bodies: FFE 259: Application to Waive Part or All of the Internship Requirement Based on Prior Learning Experiences). • Review of the candidate’s evaluation during the Supervised Ministry Education experience: FFE 225: Internship Evaluation Form. Concluding the Candidacy Process 1. The E&S Committee examines each candidate for readiness for ordination/commissioning or recognition and completes FFE 220: Presbytery/District E&S Summary Report for Conference Final Interviews. FFE 209: Application for Ordination/Commissioning is forwarded to presbytery/district for recommendation regarding ordination and commissioning. or FFE 505: Application to Be Recognized as a Lay Pastoral Minister is forwarded to presbytery/district for recommendation regarding recognition as a lay pastoral minister. 2. When the candidate is recommended for ordination/commissioning/recognition, successful completion of the process is recognized and celebrated in a public meeting of the presbytery/district and ultimately at the Conference Celebration of Ministry service. The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada 2 Procedures for the Presbytery/District Education and Students Committee (2007) Other Presbytery/District E&S Committee Responsibilities Student Supply and Candidate Supply Appointments The E&S Committee works with the Presbytery/District Pastoral Relations Committees to ensure that approvals for appointment of candidates are made using FFE 203(b): Approval of Appointment so that correct and supportive procedures are in place. Candidates for the Shorter Course (The Manual, 2004, section 723) The normal course of preparation for ordination includes a program leading to an undergraduate degree at a recognized university and a three-year course in theology, or a five-year ministry-based education program leading to the Master of Divinity degree. The Shorter Course provides an option for a person who does not have a university degree and for whom it would be difficult to consider completing an undergraduate degree followed by a three-year course in theology. • It consists of a minimum of one year of undergraduate studies (10 semester courses) at a recognized university and three years at a United Church theological college, and leads to ordination. • It is available to candidates who have been recommended to the Shorter Course by the Conference Interview Board and the Presbytery/District E&S Committee. 1. To apply for the Shorter Course, the candidate sends FFE 211: Application for Admission to the Shorter Course with FFE 202(b): Application to Be Received as a Candidate to the Presbytery E&S Committee, which asks the Conference Interview Board to meet with the candidate. 2. Following the meeting with the CIB, the E&S Committee interviews the candidate. 3. If the E&S Committee is recommending the candidate, the committee completes FFE 212: Presbytery/District Recommendation re: Shorter Course Application and sends it to the Faith Formation and Education Unit for approval to be admitted to the Shorter Course. Approval by FFE does not ensure acceptance at a theological school. Applications should be received in FFE by March 31 for fall start and October 31 for spring start. 4. After reviewing the application, FFE responds in writing to the E&S Committee, with a copy to the candidate and the theological school. Admission from Another Denomination 1. Before an applicant is in touch with a presbytery or district, she or he completes ADM 305: Application to Ministry and/or to Be Considered for a Diaconal/Ordained Supply Ministry Position and sends it to the Ministry and Employment Policies and Services (MEPS) Unit for a credential check. 2. The Presbytery/District E&S Committee ensures credential clearance before proceeding with any interview or appointment. The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada 3 Procedures for the Presbytery/District Education and Students Committee (2007) 3. The E&S chairperson conducts an initial interview with the candidate (in person or by phone) and forwards a request for an interview with the CIB, ADM 306: Presbytery/District Action re: Applicant for Admission and Suitability for Ministry. 4. The E&S Committee makes a recommendation to presbytery for action using ADM 306. 5. After the process of appointment (with supervision) and vetting by presbyteries across the church, the E&S Committee completes ADM 309(b): Intent to Recommend Admission of a Minister from Another Church. Readmission 1. The Presbytery/District E&S Committee receives the candidate’s application form and arranges an interview with the Conference Interview Board. 2. After a successful meeting with the CIB, the candidate is interviewed by the E&S Committee. 3. After the candidate meets any conditions set by the committee, the committee completes ADM 309(a): Intent to Recommend Re-admission of a Person to the Order of Ministry and sends it to the Ministry and Employment Policies and Services Unit by January 15. The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada 4