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Diocese of Southern Virginia

Ordination Exploration Process

The Ordination Exploration Process begins with the discernment of a call to ordained ministry and continues through application, formation, and ordination. 

The Notice of Interest is a required first step for those discerning a sense of call to ordained ministry.

This form should be submitted to the diocesan office after discussion with your rector, priest-in-charge, or the dean of your convocation, and before a formal Ordination Exploration Process is started. The Notice of Interest will enable timely communication and sharing of information, especially for those who are in the earliest stages of discernment.

Ordination Exploration Process

The expectation of the Bishop is that anyone entering the Ordination Exploration Process will receive formation and training through a process approved in advance by the Bishop. This process begins in discernment and continues through the first two years of ordained ministry served in the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Timeline

Explore your call to ordained ministry with our step-by-step Timeline – from parish discernment to postulancy – guided by clergy, your faith community, and the Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Questions

For questions about the Ordination Exploration Process (OEP) contact The Rev. Dr. Ross M. Wright, Director of Vocational Ministries at 804-814-1296 or  rwright@diosova.org, or Susan Allen in the diocesan office at 757-213-3391 or sallen@diosova.org.

If you are ordained in another Christian body, please contact The Rev. Dr. Ross M. Wright, Director of Vocational Ministries, 804-814-1296 or  rwright@diosova.org, who will be glad to discuss the process with you.

Canons of the Episcopal Church

Explore the Canons of the Episcopal Church, specifically Title III, Canons 6, 8, and 10, which outline the guidelines and requirements for ordination. Click here to access detailed information from the General Convention website

Costs

The current cost to applicants for the Ordination Exploration Process is $1,000, which includes $100 due at the time of application. The entire fee is non-refundable and is used to offset costs of the background check, psychological evaluation, and other expenses associated with the process.

If paying by check, please make the check out to “Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia” with “OEP Application Fee” in the memo line and mail to Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, 11832 Rock Landing Dr Ste 100, Newport News, VA 23606-4231. Those who prefer to pay the application fees by credit or debit card or ACH can do so here.

Financial assistance with the OEP application fees is available. Contact Susan Allen, sallen@diosova.org, for more information.

Commission on Ministry

Approved Ordination Exploration Process (OEP) applicants will interview with the Commission on Ministry for postulancy. Those granted postulancy will receive formation and training through a process approved by the Bishop.

Commission on Ministry Chair, The Very Rev. Ashley Urquidi, can be reached at mother.ashley@allsaintsvb.org or 757-481-0577. 

Diocesan Discernment Retreat – July 24-25, 2026

The Diocese of Southern Virginia invites you to come and do some exploring at a discernment retreat at Richmond Hill (2209 E Grace St, Richmond). Perhaps you are being called to develop a more vibrant lay ministry or are considering ordination as a deacon or a priest. If you are feeling a nudge towards something but can’t yet define what that something is, we invite you to be part of this retreat. Retreat participants will have the opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the scope of lay, diaconate, and priestly ministries, discern individual gifts, view the specifics of the ordination exploration process, and will be exposed to possible action steps in their discernment journey.

The retreat will begin on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 4 p.m. and conclude Saturday, July 25, by 7:30 p.m. Cost is $140 for overnight accommodations and $60 for local drive-in participants. Space is limited so please register early. Lay continuing education funds are available. Contact Canon Lynn Farlin at lfarlin@diosova.org for lay continuing education assistance or if you have questions about the retreat.

Attending a Diocesan Discernment Retreat is strongly recommended for those applying for the Ordination Exploration Process.

Click here to register for this retreat.

OEP Timeline

Explore your call to ordained ministry with our step-by-step Ordination Exploration Process - from parish discernment to postulancy - guided by clergy, your faith community, and the Diocese of Southern Virginia.
Click Here

Canons of the Episcopal Church

Explore the Canons of the Episcopal Church, specifically Title III, Canons 6, 8, and 10, which outline the guidelines and requirements for ordination. Click below to access detailed information from the General Convention website
Click Here