Applications Open – April 1
Priority Deadline (July start date) – May 1
Final Deadline (Fall start) – June 1
Final Decision (July cohort) – by June 10
Final Decision (Fall cohort) – rolling based on congregational availability

For a full timeline and description click HERE. 

Participating congregations receive financial assistance along with formation and congregational vitality resources designed to build sustainable ministry.

The diocese will provide graduated grant support over three years toward the cost of a curate.

Diocesan funding levels

• Year 1 – 50% of compensation package
• Year 2 – 35% of compensation package
• Year 3 – 15% of compensation package

The fully loaded annual cost of a curate (salary, SECA, pension, required health benefits, and formation costs) is estimated at $114,368 under current diocesan compensation guidelines.

This structure reduces the initial financial burden on congregations while building momentum toward full sustainability. Participating congregations will work with the Rev. Canon Dina van Klaveren, Canon for Development & Stewardship, to develop a five-year financial and stewardship plan demonstrating how the position can be sustained beyond the three-year grant period.

Curates participating in the program will engage in a structured formation process coordinated through the Bishop’s Office and diocesan leadership.

This includes:

• Participation in Fresh Start, the required formation program for new clergy in the Diocese of Maryland
• Enrollment in the College for Congregational Development alongside rector/ priest-incharge and two lay leaders (CCD registration for the curate is included in the pilot)
• Ongoing coaching and support coordinated by the Canon to the Ordinary for Leadership
• Supervision and mentorship within a healthy parish learning environment
• Potential participation in advanced leadership development programs offered through Trinity Wall Street

These formation opportunities strengthen skills in:

• adaptive leadership
• congregational development
• community engagement
• stewardship and nonprofit leadership

Congregations participating in the pilot commit to intentional work around congregational vitality and sustainability.

Participating congregations will:

• Work with a Congregational Vitality Consultant
• Participate in diocesan congregational vitality metrics
• Engage in annual review and planning with diocesan leadership
• Develop strategies for stewardship growth and long-term sustainability

The goal is to strengthen the long-term vitality and mission of the congregation, rather than to simply add clergy staffing.

In addition to direct grant funding, congregations may benefit from a temporary diocesan assessment incentive. If a congregation raises new revenue above its previous year’s assessed income specifically to support a new ministry position, those funds may be exempt from diocesan assessment for three years.

This incentive encourages congregations to:

• expand ministry capacity
• grow stewardship
• test new ministry initiatives
• build sustainable financial growth

After three years, the expanded revenue becomes part of the congregation’s regular assessment base.

Depending on funding availability and the strength of applications, three to five congregations will be selected for the first pilot cycle. Applications will be reviewed by a diocesan discernment group convened by the Canon to the Ordinary for Leadership, working in consultation with:

• the Bishop
• the Canon for Transitions
• the Canon for Development & Stewardship
• members of the Congregational Vitality Team

Selection will consider:

• readiness to host and mentor a curate
• congregational vitality potential
• financial sustainability planning 5
• strength of lay leadership support
• alignment with the diocese’s commitments to equity, diversity, and shared flourishing

It is our hope that the final cohort of curates and congregations selected will reflect the rich diversity of the Diocese of Maryland.

The Curacy Pilot Program will be coordinated by the Canon to the Ordinary for Leadership, who will work in collaboration with diocesan staff and leadership teams, including:

• the Canon for Transitions
• the Canon for Development & Stewardship
• the Diocesan Congregational Vitality Team

Each year the program will evaluate:

• congregational vitality indicators
• stewardship growth and financial sustainability
• curate formation and leadership development
• supervisory effectiveness
• long-term viability of the position

A report on the program will be presented annually to Diocesan Council.

• Support 3–5 newly ordained priests in strong first ministry settings
• Strengthen 3–5 congregations through increased clergy capacity
• Expand local mission and community engagement
• Build sustainable models for clergy deployment and parish revitalization
• Reduce crisis clergy transitions by strengthening early ministry formation