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Companion Ministry Program

Welcome to the Web page for the Companion Ministry Program

             A Companion...

            from the Latin, “one who has bread with”
                   one who accompanies, as on a journey
                          one who assists
                                one who is closely connected

Above: Flanked by Deacons Beth Ann Maier and Armand Henault, Bishop Thomas Ely commissions Diane Nancekivell, Leslie Black, Rolfe Lawson, Laura Hunter and Jean Hancock as Companions at the Diocesan Convention Eucharist, November 7, 2009. Susan Ohlidal, right, presented the group to the bishop. Current Companions not in the photo are Jean Smith and Ann Cooper.

The Companion Ministry Program of the Diocese of Vermont is based on the theological principles found in the Baptismal Covenant.

Companion ministry encourages and supports a shared ministry for mission that calls all baptized Christians to be ministers of God’s reconciling love in the world.

Companions walk alongside a congregation as partners in a relationship designed to expand the ministry of the diocese to congregations and to offer an incarnation of Baptismal Ministry as they demonstrate their own ministry as baptized persons and celebrate the ministry of others.

Companions are trained, supported and paid for their ministry by the diocese. The Companions’ ministries are also supported by a peer group of colleagues, including members of the diocesan Ministry Support Team. 

Companions

Leslie Black (on leave)
39 North Road, Vershire, VT 05079; 685-3491; leslie.g.black@valley.net
Ann Cooper
17 South Gorham Lane, Middlebury, VT 05753; 388-6802; aecooper@sover.net
Jean Hancock
380 Blue Hill Road, Chester, VT 05143; 875-1855; hancockvt@vermontel.net
Laura Hunter
P. O. Box 202, Marlboro, VT 05344; 464-7728; holymama@sover.net
Rolfe Lawson
P. O. Box 2045, Gansevoort, NY 12831; 518-526-3789; rolfelawson@gmail.com
Diane Nancekivell (on leave)
1008 Hemenway Road, Bridport, VT 05734; 758-2055; dianenan@gmavt.net
Jean Smith
58 Jenny Lane, Brattleboro, VT, 05301; 258-4824; revjrsmith@comcast.net
Steve Smith
P.O. Box 144, Dorset, VT 05251-0144; 867-0269; smiste@mac.com

For information on the Companion Ministry Program, contact Canon for Ministry Development Susan Ohlidal, sohlidal@dioceseofvermont.org, or 802-748-8755.

Resources

The resources on this page are for use by Companions and congregations within the Diocese of Vermont. The resources are also available to people interested in exploring this ministry and, perhaps, creating a similar program in your region, diocese, or judicatory.

Read the latest "Companion News"

General Resources
Companion Ministry Program Brochure (pdf file, 515kb)
Companion Training Outline (pdf file, 157kb)
Mentor Training in the Scottish Episcopal Church (pdf file, 256kb)

Resources for Companions and Congregations in Vermont
Calling New Clergy Partnership in a Congregation , Epiphany 2010 (pdf file, 568kb)
Mutual Ministry Review manual: Living into Our Ministries (pdf file, 1.29mb)
About Baptismal Ministry document (pdf file, 170kb)
Baptismal Ministry slideshow (PowerPoint, 131kb)
Interim Leadership Overview (pdf file, 96kb)