Commission on Ministry

The Commission on Ministry exists to assist the bishop in the work of discernment, in the formation process for those seeking ordination, and to equip laypersons for their ministries.

Twice yearly, we hold an Aspirants’ Weekend which gathers people from all over the diocese who are discerning calls to ordained ministry, usually in March and September. These weekends consist of worship, prayer, meals, guided discussions; and provide opportunities to build relationships with peers, and with the members of the Commission on Ministry and the Standing Committees. Participation in the weekends fulfills the interview requirements outlined in the ordination process. Weekends take place in different locations in WNY, with the diocese providing hotel accommodation for those travelling long distances and local churches providing worship, fellowship, and meeting space.

In addition, we offer several annual Explorers’ Events which meet on Zoom and allow people to learn more about discernment, the four orders of ministry (Baptized persons, deacons, priests, and bishops), and the ordination process.

The ordination process for the whole Church is outlined in the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church under Title III.

The Diocese of WNY fulfills the requirements of these canons through the process outlined in the document Ministry Discernment and Formation Process.

We work with each individual to provide a formation plan that will prepare them for ministry and accommodates individual needs, including work and family responsibilities. Some people in formation attend residential seminary programs. Others are formed locally through online education, or through hybrid, low-residential programs.

No person shall be denied access to the discernment process or to any process for the employment, licensing, calling, or deployment for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, immigration status, national origin, sex, marital or family status (including pregnancy and child care plans), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to employment, licensing, ordination, call, deployment, or election is hereby established. (Title III, Canon III.1.2)

We encourage persons exploring a possible call to ordained ministry to speak with their priests or local clergy, or in the absence of local clergy, with their Senior or Bishop’s Warden. We invite local clergy or wardens to contact our Missioner for Ordination, the Canon Cathy Dempesy-Sims, to begin working with those discerning a call.

A Prayer for the Church (The Collect for Ordinations)
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred
mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Commission on Ministry Members

The Very Rev. Rebecca Barnes, Co-Chair
The Rev. Michael Hadaway, Co-Chair
The Rev. Cathy Smith
The Ven. Diana Leiker
The Rev. Kim Rossi
Beth Boron
Larry Mazuchowski
Kathy Toth
Sue Sims

Ordination Process

Broadly speaking, formation is that which shapes who we are and how we view the world. When we consider formation for ordained ministry, we are speaking more about an intentional process whereby we are shaped academically, spiritually, and personally in order to live more fully into the demands of ministry. In our dioceses, this process occurs in community and involves a great number of individuals, all of whom share the privilege of forming effective, transformational leaders for mission.

For more information on the ordination process, please contact either:

The Rev. Rebecca Barnes 646-533-1836
The Rev. Michael Hadaway 443-797-5422

Download the Ordination Process Detail 2025 .