The Receiving of the Lamp
Rite IX — The Receiving of the Lamp
Ordination as Celebrant of Iambe
| Purpose | Ordinary leader | Typical length | Core symbols |
| To ordain a candidate who has completed the prescribed Academy, practicum, examination, recommendations, and approval process. | Senior Celebrant or designated ordaining Celebrant acting under Ordination Council/Board approval | 20–30 minutes | Laughing Lamp, Book of Iambe, Cup, Ordination record |
Preparation
Verify the complete candidate file before scheduling.
Confirm formal approval by the required voting threshold.
Resolve any safeguarding, ethics, or financial concerns before the rite; the ceremony should not be used to bypass unresolved review.
Order of the Rite
Procession / Opening
Its work is light enough to find the way.
Presentation
A supervising leader summarizes the candidate’s study, service, original talks, practicum, examination, and recommendation.
Examination Before the Congregation
Ordainer: “Will you protect the grieving from compulsory cheer?” Candidate: “I will.”
Ordainer: “Will you mock the crown before the wound?” Candidate: “I will.”
Ordainer: “Will you teach the tradition without inventing ancient evidence?” Candidate: “I will.”
Ordainer: “Will you guard the treasury and reject private ownership of sacred property?” Candidate: “I will.”
Ordainer: “Will you submit your ministry to the ethics, records, and discipline of the Church?” Candidate: “I will.”
Receiving of the Lamp
The candidate receives or lights a lamp from the Church’s Laughing Lamp.
The work is shared; the trust exceeds the name.
Ordination
Ordainer: “By completion of the prescribed formation, the approval of the Church, and this public covenant of service, you are ordained a Celebrant of Iambe.”
The Ordination Charge
Teach mirth with courage, never weaponized.
Guard what is held for those you’ll never see.
Keep truth beside the joke, and people free.
Cup and Welcome
The new Celebrant raises the Cup with the congregation. Another Celebrant or member offers the first welcome into the order of ministry.
Online Adaptation
The religious ordination may be conducted live online if the Church chooses. Any civil authority associated with clergy status, marriage solemnization, chaplaincy, employment, or credentials remains subject to external law and institutional requirements.