Spring 2024 course session starts March 7th. Applications are now closed.
Many of the parishes in the diocese are “in transition” and do not necessarily have a priest to celebrate the Eucharist each Sunday. Additionally, parishes are rediscovering the daily office and considering ways to have lay-led weekday services. Lay-led services are an opportunity for renewal: to encourage lay people to live into the vows they made in their baptismal covenant, which reminds us that each and every one of us, lay or ordained, is called to participate in worship by virtue of our baptism.
We are asked,
“Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?” We answer, “I will, with God’s help.”
If your parish is often or occasionally without clergy and you are a lay leader who would be able and willing to lead in services, you are invited to apply online to in order to be considered by the Bishop to be nominated to attend an upcoming seven-week course. Upon successful completion of the course, a conversation will be held about how and when you might help lead Services of the Word in your parish.
The Diocese of Islands and Inlets is presenting its fourth offering of the Lay Leadership in Worship course from early March to the end of May 2024. The course will provide the skills and resources for laity to lead worship services, Morning and Evening Prayer and the Liturgy of the Word (a church service without the Eucharist). To date, more than 70 lay leaders have been successfully trained in the Diocese. Regardless of their knowledge and experience, all participants go on to deepen their understanding of liturgy and the Offices, and gain confidence to become more effective leaders of worship.
In partnership with Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee, this course is brought to you by The Rev. Sr. Ingrid Andersen, MEd, Incumbent at Church of the Advent, Colwood, Diocese of Islands and Inlets (BC) and other teachers and facilitators from throughout the diocese and beyond.
Course description: The eight sessions will equip lay leaders to:
- Understand the purpose of liturgy.
- Follow the liturgical year and the lectionary and examine their purpose in worship/liturgical formation.
- Understand our Anglican, geographical, social, and historical context.
- Become familiar with the broad principles and structure of the Offices in the BCP and the BAS, as well as the Liturgy of the Word.
- Learn to plan worship collaboratively in your parish.
- Access the available liturgical, lectionary, prayer and sermon resources needed to plan and lead a worship service.
- Refect on learnings from the practical implementation of course content.
Dates and location:
- Via Zoom, on Thursdays from 7pm - 9pm on March 7, 14, 21 April 4, 11, 18, 25
- Three mentored services during a month of mentored practical experience in your parish/region, followed by a final Zoom class on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Cost: Free; however participants must purchase their own copy of the required reading well in advance of the course.
Required reading: The Liturgical Year: the spiraling adventure of the spiritual life by Joan Chittister (2009), from the Ancient Practices Series. It is strongly recommended that you purchase this book well ahead of time. Find this book at Christian Book & Music, Amazon, Thrift Books or a local book store.
Qualifications: All those wishing to lead the Liturgy of the Word must provide proof of the following BEFORE applying for the course:
1. a valid Police Information Check with Vulnerable Persons Sector check. Applicants must have a valid (less than 5 years old) Police Information Check with Vulnerable Persons Sector Check (PIC) completed BEFORE being accepted to the course. This must be on file with the Synod Office. Licensed Lay Ministers are required to renew their PIC every five years in order to maintain their license. For more information contact Anna van der Hooft at safechurch@bc.anglican.ca
2. completed Safe Church training within the last five years. Applicants must have valid (less than 5 years old) Safe Church Training completed BEFORE being accepted to the course. This important piece must be on file with the Synod Office. Licensed Lay Ministers are required to renew their Safe Church every five years in order to maintain their license. For more information contact Anna van der Hooft at safechurch@bc.anglican.ca
3. read the diocesan policies and signed the policy acknowledgement form. Applicants must also read the Diocesan Policies and sign the Policy Acknowledgement Form BEFORE being accepted to the course. This signed document must be on file with the Synod office. Click here to read the policies and find the form. Email your signed form to Anna van der Hooft at safechurch@bc.anglican.ca
4. approval of your parish incumbent (or in the absense of an incumbent - your warden or regional archdeacon) to lead the Liturgy of the Word in your parish
How to apply: Those interested should complete the online form here. Applications will be accepted from December 1, 2023 until January 13, 2024.
Upon Course Completion: Once the course is complete and you have met the course requirements (full attendance and weekly written reflections), in order to lead worship in your parish you must request a Lay Minister's License from Bishop Anna. Bishop Anna's Assistant Paula Blundell will email you upon course completion with final requirements, and can be reached via email at pblundell@bc.anglican.ca
Questions: If you have any questions specifically about course content, you can direct them to The Rev. Sr. Ingrid Andersen at iandersen@bc.anglican.ca If you have any other course or application questions, you can direct them to Paula Blundell at pblundell@bc.anglican.ca.