The March 1 deadline is fast approaching for several different forms and reports required by clergy and lay leadership. Here are a few reminders of the different deadlines coming up, and what they mean for you and/or your parish.
Parochial Reports: Substantial changes have been made to the filing of parochial reports. Keep up-to-date with these changes here, and make sure your congregation files on, or before the March 1, 2025 deadline.
Lay Licenses: All Eucharistic Visitor (EV) and Eucharistic Minister (EM) licenses will expire on March 1, 2025. Please take care to review the guidelines, especially for the Eucharistic Visitor license, as some requirements need to be completed before submitting an application.
Note: The EV guidelines state that completing Diversity training prior to your application is required. However, we’re aware that availability of training is an issue. Bishop Bruce has determined to allow EV applications without current Diversity training to be licensed under the strict provision that they take the training within the next 18 months. The first of two Diversity training sessions for 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at St. James Episcopal Church with limited availability. The second training session will be scheduled in the northern portion of the diocese this fall. Watch the diocesan website and the New Spirit Update for more information. PLEASE BE AWARE: IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LAY MINISTER TO FIND INFORMATION AND TAKE THE CLASS IN THE NEXT 18 MONTHS.
Licensed Clergy: Licenses for all clergy ministering in West Missouri under license from the bishop will expire Saturday, March 1. Licensed clergy who wish to be re-licensed for the year March 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026, should complete the bottom portion of this online form to request relicensing on/before Friday, February 28, 2025. Failure to do so will result in license expiration.
Non-Parochial Clergy (clergy not assigned to a parish, whether retired or not): It’s time to practice the annual discipline of reporting on their ministry during 2024. Please complete the online fillable form here no later than Friday, February 28, 2025.
Note: Non-parochial clergy should only report on ministries conducted (services, preaching, funerals, weddings, baptisms, etc.) outside of parishes and congregations. Ministries you conduct for a parish should already be recorded in a parish’s Register of Services. We do not want to double count those services.
Bishop’s Committees: Please submit your 2025 Bishop’s Committee Request form as soon as possible. Once the bishop approves your nominations, you’ll receive a link to the roster/slate form, which are due March 1.
Vestries: Submit your 2025 Vestry Roster and Slate of Delegates form here.
If you have questions about the parochial report, please contact Ron Weil. For questions about lay license, licensed clergy, non-parochial clergy, bishop’s committee requests and/or vestry roster/slate forms, please contact Emily Davenport. Thank you!
