Forms, policies and resources for clergy in the Diocese of Southern Ohio can be found below.
Requesting Bishop Presence
If your community would like to request episcopal presence at a congregational event, whether Bishop White or one of our three assisting bishops, contact Sarah Beegle, executive assistant to Bishop White, well in advance. Her email is sbeegle@diosohio.org.
Compensation and Benefits
Expectations/Commitment
Licensing
- License to Officiate: If you are a priest from another diocese who wishes to occasionally serve as supply clergy for one of our congregations, you must become licensed to officiate in the Diocese of Southern Ohio. Read more. To officiate at single events in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, please fill out this form.
- Letters Dimissory: Instructions for clergy transferring into our out of the Diocese of Southern Ohio can be found on the Letters Dimissory page.
- Supply Clergy: Visit the Supply Clergy page to view the current Supply Clergy List or to add or remove yourself from the list.
- Renewal of License to Officiate After Retirement: To apply for, or renew, a License to Officiate after the age of 72, please use this form.
Questions? Contact Sarah Beegle, executive assistant to the bishop.
Transition Ministry
Priests and deacons will notify the bishop and transition minister when they begin to explore the possibility of a call to a new congregation. All search processes for ordained ministers – rectors, deacons, associate clergy, and curates – will originate with the bishop’s office.
Job Opportunities: Clergy openings are posted on the Job Opportunities page.
Visit the Transition Ministry page.
Deacon Placements
Discernment Process
When a congregant articulates a sense of call to ordained ministry, rectors and priests-in-charge commit to the first step in the discernment process being a continuing conversation over the course of one year with the congregant to determine whether the rector/priest-in-charge affirms the congregant’s call.
After one year, if the rector/priest-in-charge affirms their call, they should plan to attend the annual Explorer’s Day, write a letter of recommendation to the bishop, and meet with the bishop alongside the explorer before a Parish Discernment Committee is formed. More info.
Annual Meetings with the Bishop
Bishop White invites clergy actively serving in congregational ministry to meet with her in-person or on Zoom annually, in (or near) the month of their birthday. Clergy, please contact the bishop’s executive assistant, Sarah Beegle, at sbeegle@diosohio.org, at least one month prior to your birthday month to get your appointment scheduled.
Professional Development
It is expected that clergy serving full-time in congregations or other communities of faith be granted two weeks leave (separate from vacation leave) for professional development. The cost of continuing education courses and programs usually are divided between the clergy person, the congregation or other community of faith he or she serves, and the diocese. Learn more on the Clergy Continuing Education page. Learn more.
Tax Resources
Diocesan Residency Program
The Diocesan Residency Program is an opportunity for all newly-ordained or recently-received clergy from churches not in communion with the Episcopal Church to be supported and mentored in the first two years of ordained ministry or reception of their orders. Learn more.
Forms for Use in Congregations
- Bishop White’s visitation customary and visitation form (including list of candidates for confirmation and reception) can be found on the Bishop’s Visitations page.
- Letter of Transfer for members
Marriage Resources and Policies
- Guidelines and forms for solemnizing a second marriage can be found on the Guidelines for Solemnizing a Second Marriage page.
- Declaration of Intention for Marriage: free download from CPI, basic template.
Sabbatical Policy
Two weeks per year of service in a congregation are available for sabbatical after the third year, and cumulative through the sixth year. The clergy person will be paid full salary and benefits while on sabbatical. Sabbatical arrangements must be made in full consultation with the vestry or mission council. Congregations and/or communities of faith are encouraged to contribute an amount equal to two weeks compensation to a designated sabbatical fund each year. The purpose of this fund is to allow the community of faith to obtain adequate clergy coverage during the sabbatical. Another fund to assist the clergy person’s sabbatical expenses may be established or combined with a budgeted professional development item in the annual budget.
