Bishop’s Institute

for Discipleship, Leadership and Ministry Formation

The Bishop’s Institute is on Hiatus During the Transition Period.

If you have current licensed lay ministers coming up for license renewal, you will receive a list before/around Advent from Lynn Anstatt in the Bishop’s office requesting those persons whose licenses should be renewed. Please reply accordingly. If you have new lay persons who would like to be trained and licensed, the Rector or Priest-in-Charge may:

Conduct the training in the parish
Assign the training to a deacon (if present) or a senior lay minister, at your discretion
Coordinate with a neighboring parish to conduct a group training

Click one or more of the links below to download the curricula. After training, assign the newly trained person to shadow/work with a seasoned lay minister until you feel the new minister is ready to work on their own. Once that occurs, contact Lynn Anstatt in the Bishop’s office to request the appropriate license(s).

Eucharistic Minister Training

A Eucharistic Minister is a layperson, licensed by the bishop, to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. A Eucharistic Minister shall act in concert with and under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. Training participants must be confirmed members in good standing. Participants should obtain and read Manual for Lay Eucharistic Ministers: In the Episcopal Church Paperback by Beth Wickenberg Ely, available online.

Click Here for Training Material

Eucharistic Visitor Training

A Eucharistic Visitor is a layperson who has experience as a Eucharistic Minister, has participated in additional training, and is licensed by the bishop for this ministry. A Eucharistic Visitor is authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor shall act under the direction of a Deacon, if any, or otherwise, the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the community of faith.

Click Here for Training Material

Worship Leader Training

A Worship Leader is a lay person who has been licensed to lead the daily offices: Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline. Using the Book of Common Prayer and the Revised Common Lectionary, Worship Leaders, may at the discretion of the Rector or Priest-in-Charge, and in the absence of a Deacon, lead Morning Prayer on Sunday mornings when a clergy person is not available to officiate.