FORM P1: Application for Postulancy, Study notes of History

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DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA

FORMS FOR ADMISSION TO

THE POSTULANCY

FORM P1: Application for Postulancy

Diocese of California 2011

PART A. To be completed by the nominee.

TO THE BISHOP OF CALIFORNIA I hereby make application to be admitted by you as a POSTULANT in the Diocese of California.

Full Name: _____________________________________________ PHOTOS: Please staple

two passport size color photos HERE. Vocational goal: _________________________________________

Educational plan: Indicate the seminary or school that you propose to attend; if this is not a recognized seminary or theological school of the Episcopal Church, please attach a statement of not more than 100 words giving your reason for proposing a non-Episcopal school.

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1. Telephone (home): ________________ (work): ________________ (cell): _______________
2. E-mail: ________________________________________________________
3. Current address: ___________________________________________________________________
4. Permanent address, if different: _______________________________________________________
5. Birth date: _______________ Place: _________________________________ Gender: ___________
6. Baptism: Date __________ Church _____________________ Place __________________________
7. Confirmation: Date ____________ Bishop _______________________________________________ Church ______________________________ Place __________________________________________
8. In what, if any, religious tradition were you raised? _______________________________________ (For applicants from another tradition or denomination) I have previously been a member of _________________________________________________denomination or faith for _________ years.
9. List the congregations you have been active in during the past 10 years, or since turning 18, and briefly describe type of involvement.

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10. Name of high school attended, with location: ____________________________________________

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19. Name of Spouse/Partner: ___________________________________________________________
20. Names and ages of children:

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21. How do you intend to support yourself (and dependents, if such there be) during the remainder of your theological training? Check as many of the following as apply: Part-time employment _____ Scholarships _____ Personal savings _____ Spouse or partner to work _____ Support from parents _____ Support from parish ____ Support from diocese _____ Other (explain)

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22. Do you have any large debts? If so, please explain: what is their origin, their amount, and the manner in which they are to be repaid?

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23. On a single separate sheet, make a concise statement of the reasons for which you are moved to seek Holy Orders. Sign and date that sheet and attach it to this one.

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PART B. To be completed by the clergy with oversight in the congregation.

In your opinion, how sound is the applicant’s plan for financing his or her education?

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On the basis of all that you know about this person, how would you rate him or her at the present time as an applicant for the ordained ministry he or she seeks? Excellent _____ Good _____ Average _____ Fair _____ Poor _____

Is there anything else you want to share about the applicant at this time?

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Signed __________________________________________________ Date _______________ Church __________________________________________

Summary of Attachments: Two photographs Educational Plan (if NOT an Episcopal institution) Work history Statement of applicant regarding reasons for seeking Holy Orders

To be mailed separately: Official transcripts of higher education directly from the institution to the Vocations Office, 1055 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Please mail Form P1 to the Vocations Office, Diocese of California, 1055 Taylor St., San Francisco CA 94108.

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III. Financial Plan

In view of the financial data given in Part II, and keeping in mind the fact that seminary or other appropriate study and some of the requirements of the ordination process (e.g., CPE) may preclude full- time work, how do you plan to finance your theological education?

FORM P3: Letter of Recommendation for Postulancy

Diocese of California 2011

To the applicant : Please give this form together with the Bishop’s cover letter to each of the

four persons whom you have asked for a letter of recommendation. Be sure to check one of the

following boxes.

I waive my right to see this recommendation.

I do not waive my right to see this recommendation.

Signature of applicant _________________________________________ Date ____________

____________________________

Name of person writing this recommendation: _______________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

In what capacity have you known the applicant?

_____________________________________________________________________________

For how long have you known the applicant? ________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________ Date: ______________

EVALUATION

FORM P4: Clergy Letter of Support for Postulancy

Diocese of California 2011

A Guideline for the Letter of Recommendation from a Rector or Vicar or Clergy with Oversight of the Sponsoring Congregation

A nominee for Holy Orders requires a letter of support addressed to the Bishop from the Vicar or Rector or Clergy with Oversight of the sponsoring congregation in order to apply for postulancy. The letter should include an assessment of these items: x How long have you known this person? x How long has this person been a member of the congregation? x What has been this person’s involvement in the life of the congregation and community? x How has the congregation discovered and encouraged this person’s call to Holy Orders? x How have you come to understand, through intensive discussion, what moves the person to seek Holy Orders? x What are your reasons for recommending this person? x What are your impressions of the spirituality, faithfulness in worship and reception of sacra- ments, prayer life, understanding of the Church’s faith, knowledge of scriptures, loving interac- tion with others, and sense of social responsibility of the person seeking Holy Orders? x What areas for growth and development should the person consider? x How will ordination of this person enhance the special gifts and talents of the ministry of all Christians?

Please send letter to the Vocations Office, Diocese of California, 1055 Taylor St., San Francisco CA 94110

FORM P5: Local Discernment Committee Evaluation

Diocese of California 2011

Applicant’s Name: _____________________________________________________________

Congregation: ________________________________________________________________

How many members make up your committee? _____ What is the composition of the

committee: ________ members of the sponsoring congregation ______ Area Ministry Team

_____ Deanery

How many times have you met with the applicant? _____, over _____ months

Evaluation completed by: __________________________________ Date: _________

To the Members of the Local Discernment Committee (LDC):

The Commission on Ministry asks you to provide by means of this composite evaluation

information that the Church deems essential to our appraisal of an applicant for holy orders. We

suggest that the chair of the committee fill out the evaluation, perhaps at a meeting of the entire

group, based on the considered judgment of all of you. Each of the questions is important. If

some of them appear highly personal, this is because the pressures of the ordained life require

exceptional stability, maturity and discipline in personal life. Due to the nature of the informa-

tion requested, it will be held in strict confidence, available only to the members of the Com-

mission on Ministry, the Standing Committee, and the Bishop.

In some questions, you are asked for specific examples of how you have observed the

applicant “in action.” We hope in this way to acquire a picture of how you see this person serv-

ing in holy orders. Since you have observed the applicant in a setting similar to one in which he

or she might eventually minister, your perspective here is especially important to us.

Besides specificity, the most useful characteristic of your report for us will be its candor,

which may require negative comments when they reflect the truth. Be assured that no single

remark or evaluation will result in disapproval of the applicant. On the contrary, negative

evaluations can provide the commission with an accurate picture of the applicant’s potential for

holy orders.

The questions are listed first. Please attach sheets with your answers, indicating clearly

which question is being answered. This form and your answers should be returned directly to

the Vocations Office, Diocese of California, 1055 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94108.

Any further comments that individual members of the committee may wish to send should be

addressed to the same office.

N. B.: “Congregation” refers to a parish, mission or cathedral congregation.

FORM P6: Congregational Endorsement of

Application for Postulancy

Diocese of California 2011

Date ____________ To: The Bishop and the Commission on Ministry of the Diocese of California

We, the undersigned, testify to our belief based on personal knowledge, or evidence satisfactory to us,

that ________________________________________________ is qualified to be a postulant for Holy Orders, and we offer the following reasons for this belief:

We do, furthermore, declare that this applicant is a communicant of this church, in good standing.

Signed _______________________________________ Rector, Vicar, or other Minister of the Congregation

Signatures of Vestry/Bishop’s Committee Members

(requires two-thirds majority of all members)

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Attestation of the Foregoing Certificate

I hereby certify that the foregoing certificate was signed at a meeting of the Vestry/Bishop’s

Committee of ____________________________________ Church, duly convened at

_______________________________________ on the __________ day of _______________,

__________, and that the names attached are those of at least a two-thirds majority of all the

members of the Vestry/Bishop’s Committee.

Signed _______________________________________

Clerk (or Secretary) of the Vestry/Bishop’s Committee

Send this form to the Vocations Office, Diocese of California, 1055 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94108.

FORM P8: Interview with the Bishop for Postulancy

Diocese of California 2011

Applicant: ____________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

Congregation: ________________________________________________________________

Bishop’s evaluation:

Bishop’s signature _______________________________________________________ Date _______________

Please return directly to the Vocations Office.

FORM P9: Vocations Conference Report to COM

Diocese of California 2011

Date: ________________________

Name of Nominee: __________________________________ Vocational goal: ___________

Members of Interviewing Team:

________________________ _________________________

________________________ _________________________

Overall impression of Nominee:

Gifts and strengths:

Developmental needs and challenges:

We †recommend †do not recommend

†recommend with reservations (specify)

Signature of Team Member filling out form: _______________________________________

Send form to the Vocations Office before the next scheduled meeting.