The Episcopal Diocese of Easton has established a Recovery Ministry Committee to address issues surrounding alcoholism and drug dependency and the use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs in relation to the church’s mission.
The committee’s purposes are:
- Developing and implementing an effective diocesan policy on substance abuse and addiction
- Assisting the Bishop of Easton and staff in education of and interventions for diocesan clergy and employees who face alcoholism or other chemical addiction.
- Raise the awareness about the disease of addiction and the redemption and grace found in recovery
- Strengthen recovering Episcopalians in the work of their recovery and help proclaim the Gospel in the world and carry their recovery into the Church.
The committee commends and encourages the many programs offering treatment and support to persons suffering from the illnesses of alcoholism and drug addiction. Included among these programs are: Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, AlaTeen, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Narcotics Anonymous and various chemical dependency treatment programs and halfway houses.
The Recovery Ministry Committee encourages parish and diocesan clergy, employees and leaders to become knowledgeable concerning local resources that offer education, intervention, treatment and continuing care for alcoholism and other chemical addictions.
Please click below for a pdf of the current Diocese of Easton policy on the use of Alcohol and other substances at diocesan events. Resolutions were presented and approved at the 146th and 147th diocesan conventions in Cambridge, MD to support this policy. Note: With minor exceptions this policy mirrors the policy adopted at the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church Resolution A158.
Diocesan policy on alcohol 2016
This diocese is an active member of Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church. www.episcopalrecovery.org
78th General Convention Resolutions on Alcohol and Addiction
- Task Force to Review and Revise Policy on substance abuse, addiction and recovery
- Question Ordinands About Addiction
- The Role of the Church in the Culture of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse