Enormously encouraging news for us. I had a meeting with +James Newcome, bishop of Carlisle, last week, who is the deacons’ champion.
He agrees that it would be an excellent idea to start moving towards some kind of national network which will not be over-formal, but which would be recognised by national bodies such as Ministry Division and the House of Bishops. He wants us to call it ‘Anglican Network of Distinctive Deacons‘ and says that we need a cross or a badge, and favours the one worn by Catholic deacons as being clear about our identity. We will need a patron and of course I asked if he would consider it, and he said he would be delighted.
The next step is that he will set up a meeting with the new Director of Ministry Division, Chris Goldsmith, and has asked me to be there. I am also to write to +Martin Seeley, head of the Ministry Council.
Please keep all this very much in your prayers. It is by no means a foregone conclusion, and there will be hurdles along the way. May they be flattened by the steamroller of diaconal prayer!! 🙏 And may God grant us all wisdom and lead us according to his holy will.
If you would like a deacon’s lapel pin, (size is just under one inch, in white and red enamel)
then Deacon David Bean (Southwell) has offered to buy them in bulk from the Buckfast Abbey bookshop (which, as far as I can discover, is the only source in the UK) and will mail one to you if you wish. Please let me know if you would like one: send me your name and address privately by Direct Message on the deacons’ Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/DistinctivelyDeacon/
or, if you’re a member of the GoDeacons Whatsapp group, you can give me those details securely on that.
Please also let me know if you would like me to file your details for future reference, or if you would prefer to have them erased.
David’s asked for orders to be made by Sunday 11 August.
So much to be thankful for: so much to pray for!
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 
Thanks, David. It’s not quite how I would like it, but beggars can’t be choosers!!
LikeLike
Brilliant Gill – do hope the network gets off the ground. Best wishes from the Methodist Diaconal Order
David Clark
LikeLiked by 1 person