Authorised Elder Sacraments Training (and Refresher Course) (in person and online)
WHAT: training in the meaning and conduct of the sacraments of baptism and communion, and refresher session for those already authorised.
Requirements;
- new candidates must be put forward by their Eldership and approved at the Church Meeting. Each church should have two authorised Elders at any given time, with a third if there is a need for a separate Elder to serve those who are homebound.
- Elders’ names are then sent by the Church to the Area/Pastoral Committee and the TDO for approval.
- an online form must be filled out with the Elders information.
- attendance at both classes and a passing essay at the end of training is required for newly trained Elders.
- for the Refresher Course, attendance only at the in-person training is required; already authorised Elders needing the refresher course should be submitted by the Elders to the TDO.
WHEN: the training will be offered twice annually; each training will include one online session on the 2nd Sunday from 14:30-17:30 (either in January or September), followed by an in-person session in your Synod Area;
SSSA: 18th January and 20th September at Oxted URC.
KESSA: 1st February and 4th October at Tonbridge URC.
CSUA: 22nd November at tbc.
SLSA: 1st March and 29th November at East Croydon URC.
HOW: the Elders of each congregation can nominate 2 Elders to be authorised which must then be ratified by the Church Meeting. A 3rd Elder may be authorised to serve communion to the homebound if needed. The Elders names should be sent to the Area/Pastoral Committee and copied to the TDO.