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Episcopal Church Women
News and contact data for the Women of the Diocese of Southwest Florida
"The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church."     ~  Prayer Book, Page 855

The Episcopal Church's Office for Ministry Development offers:
-   Living the Christian Way
-   Exploring the Christian Way
-   Lifelong Learning

Lay people are involved in all aspects of life and governance in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Our Constitution and Canons list the following elected and appointed Lay officers:

May be elected:
-   Deputy to the General Convention
-   Member of the Standing Committee
-   Representative to Diocesan Council
-   Member of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court

May be appointed:
-   To do such duties relative to the service and decoration of the Church as may properly be done by Lay Persons (By the Bishop) to serve as a Missionary Lay Minister in a Mission congregation.
-   (By the Vestry) to represent the congregation at Deanery Convocation
-   (By the Bishop) as Lay Member of the Commission on Ministry. (Such appointment is confirmed by Convention.)

When the occasion calls for it, the Bishop may grant a license to a lay person to perform a specialized ministry in the Diocese.

Applicant must be a confirmed communicant in good standing or, in extraordinary circumstances, subject to guidelines established by the Bishop, a communicant in good standing, may be licensed by the Ecclesiastical Authority to serve as Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, or Catechist. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education, and deployment of such persons, and the duration of licenses shall be established by the Bishop in consultation with the Commission on Ministry.

The Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith may request the Bishop to license persons within that congregation or other community of faith to exercise such ministries. The license shall be issued for a period of time to be determined under Canon III.4.1(a) and may be renewed. The license may be revoked by the Ecclesiastical Authority upon request of or upon notice to the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation or other community of faith. A person licensed in any Diocese under the provisions of this Canon may serve in another congregation or other community of faith in the same or another Diocese only at the invitation of the Member of the Clergy or other leader exercising oversight, and with the consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority in whose jurisdiction the service will occur.

Click on any of the following links to download or print a license application:

Pastoral Leader   (Exercise pastoral or administrative responsibilities.)
Worship Leader   (Regularly leads public worship.)
Preacher   (Preach in the congregation of clergy exercising oversight.)
Eucharistic Minister   (Administer the consecrated elements at a Eucharistic celebration.) 
Eucharistic Visitor   (Take the consecrated elements "in a timely manner" following a Eucharistic celebration.)
Catechist   (Prepare persons for baptism, confirmation, reception, and renewal of baptismal vows.)

Additional Resources:
Guidelines for Licensed Lay Ministry
Licensed Lay Ministry - Three-Fold Flyer
Links to the Church Pension Group: Lay Employees and the National Network of Episcopal Church Executives