The New York State Council of Churches certifies and supports chaplains in state institutions including the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Office of Children and Family Services, and Office of Mental Health. We sponsor an annual conference for chaplains and provide other continuing education opportunities.
Have you ever considered using your gifts of ministry to bring the message of God’s love to people in these New York State agencies? Chaplaincy ministry provides an opportunity to bring hope to those cut off from family, community, church and the opportunities of daily life.
The New York State Council of Churches has agreed to assist the State in its efforts to offer professionally competent chaplaincy service by certifying clergy as appropriate for the State to employ as Protestant and Orthodox Chaplains.
The process begins with contacting The Rev. Jim Ketcham, Chaplaincy Certification Coordinator, at jketcham@nyscoc.org, then completing an application for certification and meeting the required criteria with evidence of education, ordination, denominational endorsement, special training such as Clinical Pastoral Education, and experience in pastoral ministry. If the chaplaincy certification committee approves you, your name will be sent to the state agency, which is the hiring body, and they will interview as positions become available.
The documents linked below provide much more information including criteria requirements and steps to follow in the certification process. There is a non-refundable fee of $100 to apply.
Chaplaincy Certification Applicant Letter
Chaplaincy Certification Criteria for Protestant and Orthodox Clergy
The Reverend Charles Smith, Chair, Chaplaincy Commission
The Reverend Dr. Charles B. Grimm, Chair, Certification Committee
New York State Association of Protestant Chaplains
All New York State certified Protestant Chaplains are required to become members of the New York State Association of Protestant Chaplains. The Association is open to all chaplains serving in any capacity, not just state agencies, and membership fees are based on employment. There is an annual education conference for all chaplains usually held in the second week of October.
The New York State Protestant Chaplain Association welcomes you to our annual conference. This year we will gather October 8 to 10 in Latham, New York to explore the theme of “coming home:”
* How do we find our own sense of home in ourselves?
* How do we minister to those preparing to return home?
* How do we minister to families and congregations preparing to welcome others home?
Speakers include: Bishop Dr. Darren Furgeson, Re-entry Coordinator for Orange, NJ and Police Chaplain
Rev. Dr. Rebecca Letterman, embodiment consultant, guiding and supporting people who long for change
Dr. Elizabeth Gerhardt, Academic Dean and Professor of Theology and Social Ethics at Northeastern Seminary
Conference sign-in begins at 11 AM on Tuesday, October 8; closes at Noon, Thursday October 10.
Click here for the full schedule.
Register by October 1, 2024:
This Conference warmly welcomes all chaplains and volunteers seeking support, education and collegiality, who work in any chaplaincy setting—hospitals, jails, prisons, children's and youth facilities, mental health, disaster-preparedness ministries, state, county and state institutions to name a few. Church pastors and lay leaders interested in these types of ministry are also very welcome!
Date: October 8-10, 2024
Time: Registration begins at 11AM October 8
Place: Holiday Inn Express Latham
400 Old Loudon Rd
Latham, NY 12110
Cost: Full Conference rate: $200 (includes registration fee and all meals)
Partial Conference rate: $45 (per day, cost of any meals will be added to this)
Registration deadline for this conference is October 1, 2024
Reminder– call the hotel for room arrangements, $130/night by Oct. 4 – 518-783-6161
Join the New York State Association of Protestant Chaplains
All New York State certified Protestant Chaplains are required to become members of the New York State Association of Protestant Chaplains. The Association is open to all chaplains serving in any capacity, not just state agencies, and membership fees are based on employment. The association also sponsors annual educational conferences, such as this one. Please visit the New York State Association of Protestant Chaplains page of our website for much more information.
85 Chestnut Street
Albany, New York 12210
Phone:
Email:
