With input, suggestions, and holy work by the Commission on Ministry (COM), and with the approval of Bishop Poulson, we are now able to share with you the revised Holy Orders Discernment Manual for the Diocese of Oklahoma. There has been only one change to the ordination process itself, but the manual has had some major revisions.
With input, suggestions, and holy work by the Commission on Ministry (COM), and with the approval of Bishop Poulson, we are now able to share with you the revised Holy Orders Discernment Manual for the Diocese of Oklahoma (Click Here). There has been only one change to the ordination process itself, but the manual has had some major revisions, which include:
- A simplified and more concise format.
- A new graphic depiction of the canonical stages of the ordination process.
- A sample timeline of the ordination process.
- Checklists for each stage of the discernment process with hyperlinks to all the required forms for each application in the process.
The significant change to the ordination process includes the addition of the “Parish Discernment Committee (PDC) process,” which will now take place in conjunction with the Aspirancy program. The application process for the Parish Discernment Committee (PDC), along with the Aspirancy program application will be due at the same time each year going forward (May1). However, this year's previously communicated due date of May 31, 2021 remains in place, as a result of the delayed release of the new manual.
If you are contemplating applying for Aspirancy in 2021, please include the Parish Discernment Committee (PDC) Application (Form 1) with your Aspirancy application documents. If approved for Aspirancy and approved by the COM to form a PDC, a Liaison from the Commission on Ministry will contact each Aspirant (and their priest) later in the summer to assist with the formation of a Parish Discernment Committee.
If you have any questions about the Holy Orders Discernment Manual or the ordination process, please contact Canon Eric Cooter, Canon to the Ordinary, canoneric@epiok.org.
Peace,
Canon Eric
The Reverend Canon Eric S. Cooter, Canon to the Ordinary
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
924 N. Robinson Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Office (405) 232-4820