And so the love that brought Christ from heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven… Love was Stephen’s weapon by which he gained every battle, and so won the crown signified by his [Christ’s] name… Strengthened by the power of his love, he overcame the raging cruelty of Saul and won his persecutor … Continue reading FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, DEACON AND MARTYR
Month: December 2019
https://youtu.be/n60BW2Ncu2Y Christmas blessings, everyone.
Deacon Jess Foster reflects on a land and peoples she is coming to know and love. Image from Daniel Case I bet nearly everyone reading this blog has heard this Christmas staple in the past few weeks. I wonder how you responded to it? Does it jar, inspire or are you numbed by familiarity? Does … Continue reading O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM …
As warden of the college of St Philip the Deacon in Exeter diocese, I work to a diocesan steering group who recently asked me to provide a short paper on how long people who have been ordained distinctive deacon should spend in the diaconate, before they could start candidating for priesthood. Most deacons will be … Continue reading HOW LONG IN DISTINCTIVE DIACONATE BEFORE EXPLORING PRIESTHOOD?
Methodist deacon David Clark and Methodist presbyter Maurice Staton have produced an interesting response to the recently published Diaconate in Ecumenical Perspective, edited by Deacon Michael Jackson. Michael says in his foreword to the paper, I note in particular their emphasis on the diaconate’s missional role in building a ‘kingdom community’ (a favourite phrase of … Continue reading TOWARDS A RENEWED DIACONATE
A Whatsapp conversation recently was sparked off by a diaconal enquirer, who had been to see her DDO in a diocese which does not currently support distinctive deacon vocations (!) She said "He is warming to the idea of me being a deacon, especially SSM but I have a lot of rough edges." (image Champlain … Continue reading MESSY, UNTIDY AND GLORIOUS VOCATION: DEACONS DISCUSS (3)
Deacons' champion Bishop James Newcome (Carlisle) has encouraged us to wear this badge, as a sign of our distinctiveness, and in ecumenical solidarity with our Roman Catholic permanent deacon friends. They don't appear to be available in this country, but after extensive research we've tracked them down to https://www.terrasanctaguild.com/deacon-cross-lapel-pin.html in the States: They have very … Continue reading DEACONS’ LAPEL PIN NOW AVAILABLE!
With many thanks to Rose Wilson for drawing this to our attention. Rose has recently been recommended for training as a Distinctive Deacon in the diocese of Lichfield. Saints Stephen and Philip: What Deacons Should Be Posted by Rev. Kevin Bezner | Jun 29, 2017 The first seven deacons were chosen from among the … Continue reading SAINTS STEPHEN AND PHILIP: WHAT DEACONS SHOULD BE
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 