Does a Episcopal Deacon/Priest in the Episcopal Church attend a seminary? have to?

Question

I am in a most respectful, deeply heart felt way, would without hesitation, if the Dear Lord blessed me in such a way, move in that direction. I'm older, married.....how would a person start, the money involved ,etc.

Answer 1

Edward,

Episcopal priests normally attend seminary for three years, then serve as a "transitional deacon" for up to a year. It is not always the case, but if you are coming into the Episcopal Church from another Church, even before Seminary, you would be expected to be a layman in a parish for several years.

Then, you would need the recommendation of your priest to go to the Diocesan Commission on Ministry to talk about the vocation which your priest AND YOUR FELLOW PARISHIONERS have sensed for you. They will probably send you to another parish to be an observer and participant in activities there, and THAT parish would report on your vocation to the Commission on Ministry.

You would have medical and Psychiatric exams before going on.

After the Commission on Ministry recommends you, you would begin either Seminary or some other formation and educational program. But the choice of which alternative and of which Seminary lies with the Bishop (although most give you a choice of 2 or 3)

Many Episcopal Seminaries have one or two year, non-degree programs for older students, and scholarship help is available from the Seminary, your home Diocese, and possibly your parish if it is a rich one.

You would be ordained Deacon a few weeks after graduation.

There is no shortage of priests in the Episcopal Church, just a shortage of full time jobs for the ones we do have.

You will meet the Bishop at some point, but probably first informally during an Episcopal Visitation of your parish before you begin the process.

The process for a permanent "vocational deacon" would differ only in that you would be more likely to attend a non-residential program in the Diocese instead of Seminary, and probably on weekends or evenings. In that case, it would probably be longer than 2 years.
Be warned! Dioceses make it hard to go from one program to another.
Hard words.

Deacons are expected to be self-supporting and to have a ministry that is primarily outside of the parish (e.g. nursing home, hospital, or school chaplain, social action, etc.)

In the Episcopal Church, vocation to the Priesthood is seen more and more as something originating in fellow parishioners and less in one's own mind and heart.

But the way to start is by being involved in your local parish's worship and activities and talking to the Rector.

May God guide and bless you.

Answer 2

being a priest, yes. I don't know about being a decon. Talk to your priest--s/he's the best resource closest to you. Then contact seminaries you would be interested in and they can tell you about financial aid, part-time classes, etc. Most seminarians these days are second-career folks.

You don't even have to go to an Episcopalian seminary for most of your classes if there isn't one near you.

http://www.teforall.org/seminaries.html

Answer 3

Most do,but a retired auxiliary bishop in Massa chusetts never did. I think that there are night classes and permanent deacon classes in many dioceses.There are also scholarships available.Check with the diocese you live in

Answer 4

Don't know most churches that I have attented they havent deacons nor Preachers/Priest, that have been called by god to eitherpreach or assist in the church. ask your pastor that would be the best place to start.

Peace to you. Find your own path to Happiness.