Canon I-4: LAY READERS AND EUCHARISTIC ASSISTANTS

categories of lay readers:

1. There shall be two categories of Lay Readers in the Diocese:

a) Parochial Lay Reader;

b) Diocesan Lay Reader.

duties of lay readers:

2. Lay Readers (Parochial or Diocesan) must be regular in participating in the worship of the Church and in receiving Holy Communion. They must be active in the support of their parish or congregation in time, talents and financial resources.

nomination of parochial lay readers:

3. a) The nomination to the office of Parochial Lay Reader shall be submitted by the incumbent to the vestry, giving evidence of the person’s baptism and confirmation, as well as their competence and background.

b) Parochial Lay Readers shall enter a covenant with the incumbent and parish annually.

covenant of parochial lay reader:

c) The covenant of a Parochial Lay Reader automatically terminates on the installation of a new incumbent in that paris.

d) As a general rule Parochial Lay Readers shall be trained and shall serve within the parish to which they are covenanted. The Parochial Lay Reader may serve in another parish at the invitation of the incumbent with the consent of the Lay Reader's own incumbent.

supervision of parochial lay reader:

e) In all matters relating to the conduct of the service, to the sermons or homilies to be read, and to the proper dress or attire, the Lay Reader shall conform to the direction of the incumbent or the Lay Reader's ecclesiastical superior, and, in all cases, to the direction of the Bishop. A Parochial Lay Reader may deliver sermons under the direction of the incumbent.

lay persons assisting in worship:

f) Lay persons not covenanted as Lay Readers may assist the incumbent on occasion in the conduct of public worship in their own parish or congregation. (Amended 1987).

appointment of diocesan lay readers:

4. a) Diocesan Lay Readers shall be appointed by the Bishop.

b) As a general rule candidates for appointment as Diocesan Lay Readers shall be recommended by their Deanery Council and either the Archdeacon or Regional Dean.

c) Candidates shall undergo such training as the Bishop considers suitable.

d) Diocesan Lay Readers will function under the Archdeacon of the deanery in which they reside. (Added 1995).

e) Honourary Diocesan Lay Readers may be appointed at the sole discretion of the Bishop. (Amended 1987).

duties of diocesan lay readers:

f) Diocesan Lay Readers may serve anywhere in the Diocese at the discretion of the Bishop, and may be assigned pastoral or administrative responsibilities in a congregation without a deacon or priest.

renewal of licences:

5. a) The licences of Diocesan Lay Readers expire annually and may be renewed at the discretion of the Bishop. Renewal shall be determined on the basis of the Diocesan Lay Reader's continuing interest and qualification as indicated in an application to the Bishop and the Warden of Lay Readers made by the Diocesan Lay Reader's local ecclesiastical superior.

b) The licence of a Diocesan Lay Reader may be revoked by the Bishop at any time. (Amended 1987).

services:

6. Lay Readers may read or sing the following offices or parts of them, and shall observe the limitations specified:

(a) morning and evening prayer, omitting the absolution;

(b) the litany;

(c) the penitential office;

(d) in the order of Holy Communion: the epistle, the gospel (where there is no deacon), the commandments, the intercessions, the invitation, and the comfortable words;

(e) such other services or portions of them as may be authorized by the Bishop in special circumstances;

(f) sermons or homilies.

attire:

7. a) Parochial Lay Readers are entitled to wear a blue scarf or the Algoma lay reader’s medal on a blue ribbon provided by the parish.

b) Diocesan Lay Readers are entitled to wear a blue scarf and the Diocesan Lay Reader's medal provided by the Diocese.

eucharistic assistants:

c) Eucharistic Assistants need not be Lay Readers, but shall enter a covenant for this ministry with the incumbent and parish. The covenant shall be renewed annually.

i) Eucharistic Assistants shall be appointed on the recommendation of the incumbent and vestry.

(Enacted 1981)

Amended 1999, 2001

[formerly Canon 38]