Sacraments Elders
Quick links to sections on this page
Policies and Proceedures | Training | Sacraments Elder Request Application | Staff Support
The Role
A sacraments elder is a full member of a community of faith who has been licensed by the regional council to administer the sacraments within their community of faith, which is without a settled or appointed member of the order of ministry or designated lay minister. When a congregation is in need, it may identify and invite those who have gifts and interests for becoming a sacraments elder to act in this capacity once they have received the required training which is provided by the Regional Council.
Shining Waters sacraments elders are re-licensed annually for the pastoral year, from July 1 to June 30. The current application period is for July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Policies and Proceedures
The policies and procedures of The United Church of Canada exist to support the church in living out God’s mission in the world. Some communities of faith do not regularly celebrate the sacraments because no licensed minister is available to preside. The sacraments elder policies and procedures are one way of ensuring that each community of faith can celebrate its sacramental life by licensing trained lay members of the United Church to administer the sacraments within their own community of faith.
SWRC Sacraments Elders Policy
Sacrament Elders Policy (November 2024) – this policy is to guide communities of faith in considering options for Sacraments Elders.
Sacraments Elders Handbook
The policy and procedures for sacrament elders are found in the UCC resource Sacraments Elders Handbook – January 2020 [ PDF | 47 pages]
Sacraments Elders Training
Shining Waters Regional Council requires that all lay people wishing to become a Sacraments Elder for their community of faith do mandatory training. Please remember that this training is only one part of the process. Your community of faith will also need to apply to the Shining Waters Regional Council to have you licensed. Please contact your community of faith’s Pastoral Relations Minister for more information.
Community of Faith Request Application
This application is the formal request of the pastoral charge for the appointment/re-appointment of a sacraments elder.
Please note: sacraments elders DO NOT complete this application
Sacraments Elders Community of Faith Application
Staff Support
EUN-JOO PARK
COMMUNITIES OF FAITH AND PASTORAL RELATIONS MINISTER
Phone: 416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781
Extension: 6147
Email: EPark@united-church.ca
Serves in: Shining Waters Regional Council
Location: Teleworks from home
Role: Eun-Joo encourages and supports both communities of faith and ministry personnel.
Contact Eun-Joo about: Conflict Resolution; Finding A New Minister; Lay Employees; M+P Committees; Licenses To Administer Sacraments; Pastoral Relationships Policy; Resources for Transition Times; Retirement; Sabbaticals; Sick Leave; Short Term Supply Ministers; Visiting Minister Options. Eun-Joo is responsible for all the Communities of Faith and ministry personnel in the region that are located south of Highway 407.