Every Christian is called to serve. This call, often called our vocation, may and often does change over time as God calls us into new spaces and ways of being. Some may sense God inviting us to discern if we are being called into ordained ministry as a priest or deacon.
If you are prepared to move forward, formally, in discerning a call to ordained ministry (diaconate or priesthood), we welcome your application to our Holy Orders Discernment Cohort. This group gathers annually; and consists of individuals who are putting themselves forward to discern the diaconate or presbyterate, and two discernment co-facilitators. There must be at least four applicants in order for the cohort to begin.
ECCT works to ensure that each group contains a diversity of racial and ethnic groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations, levels of education, and more. We believe this diversity offers an additional layer of vocational discernment.
Applications for the next cohort are currently being accepted and should be submitted by April 30, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A cohort begins regularly meeting late spring/early summer and meets through the summer and early fall. The details of date, time, and location of meetings is determined collaboratively by the cohort and co-facilitators. Members of the cohort may be recommended to attend the Holy Orders Discernment Retreat with the Commission on Ministry in the fall, currently scheduled for Friday, October 16–Saturday, October 17, 2026. Applicants are required to attend this overnight, after thorough completion of the Holy Orders Discernment Group, in order to be considered for our ordination process
In order to apply to join a cohort, you must be:
- A confirmed or received adult communicant in good standing in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (Canons 1.17.1 & I.17.3) for at least one year in a congregation or worshipping community within ECCT. Please do not submit an application prior to being confirmed or received; or prior to being in regular relationship with a parish/worshipping community for at least a year. While this is the canonical requirement, our Commission on Ministry and bishops will often defer participation in the ordination process until someone has been more established in a congregation, especially if an Aspirant is newer to The Episcopal Church.
- Engaged in an ongoing conversation regarding discernment with your priest from your sponsoring parish (or church warden in the absence of a priest).
- In communication with Canon for Lay & Ordained Vocations, the Rev. Cn. Rebekah Bokros Hatch. Please do not submit an application before scheduling a conversation with Canon Hatch.
- Regularly meeting with a certified Spiritual Director
General information about the ordination process can be found by reviewing the relevant Canons of The Episcopal Church (Title III).
To complete the online application you will need:
- Proof of Baptism (certificate, letter from officiating clergy, or letter from witness)
- Proof of Confirmation or Reception (certificate, letter from officiating clergy, or letter from witness)
- A 1,000 word Spiritual Autobiography
- A reflection of 500 words or less from the priest or church warden who is sponsoring you for Holy Orders Discernment.
- They are encouraged to reflect on the charisms for ministry that they see present in your life, your involvement and engagement in the life of the local faith community, and areas for vocational development and growth.
- A reflection of 500 words or less from another lay person in the faith community sponsoring you for Holy Orders Discernment.
- They are encouraged to reflect on the charisms for ministry that they see present in your life, your involvement and engagement in the life of the local faith community, and areas for vocational development and growth.
- A resume
- A photo (head shot) of yourself