Admission of New Members

Membership of the community is open to Anglican women, both lay and ordained, who feel called to serve others in the spirit of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.  Provided a candidate is mature and of sound mind, there are no age restrictions.  Because of the importance of close fellowship, especially during the period of formation, however, candidates must be able to spend substantial time with the "College" to which she will belong.

A woman seeking to join the community should, in the first instance, discuss the matter with one of the Sisters.  If, having done so, she wishes to explore further the possibility of entering, she will be asked to spend six months or so living the community's Rule of Life.  After that she may apply to be received as a Candidate.

If received as a Candidate, she will be invited to attend occasional meetings of the College Chapter to which she will belong, and to report regularly to a Sister appointed to accompany her.  The period of the Candidacy will last for three months or more, to be determined in each case by the members of the College.

If, in due course, it seems clear both to the Candidate and to the members of her College that the Lord is calling her to proceed, she will be received as a Novice.  It is at this point that she will receive the habit and the Novices' cross.  Novices have the same duty as professed Sisters to attend all meetings of their College Chapter and of the community as a whole.  The Novitiate normally lasts for three years, but may be shortened in the case of a person of mature years or in exceptional circumstances.

Vows are made, in the first instance, for one year - but with life intention.   At this point the Sister is given the community cross.  At the end of a year, the vows are normally renewed for a further two years, after which the Sister may apply to make life vows.  At life vows, the Sister receives a ring to mark the indelible character of her consecration to God as a Sister of the Good Shepherd.