The Sixth Word — Servants
It is the final session.
Nerves are sharper now.
The ordination service waits
just one night away.
Cassocks are tugged straight,
pages flipped,
breath drawn too quickly.
Laughter is thinner,
words fewer.
They file into the chapel,
hearts restless,
hands clammy.
The old priest is already there,
standing by the lectern.
His voice is low,
steady as ever.
“Deacons,” he says,
“share in the pastoral ministry
of the Church.
You are called to serve God’s people
with compassion in private—
a hand on the shoulder,
a word of comfort—
and also in public worship,
leading prayer,
preaching the word,
bringing the world’s cries
before the throne of God.
Every moment of life can be holy.
Every task can be worship.
But you—
you are asked to help the Church
see this truth.
To hold together
order and Spirit,
liturgy and fire.
When you preach,
you open Scripture
so that it speaks again.
When you intercede,
you carry the brokenness of the world
into the heart of the Church—
and into the heart of God.
You must listen first.
Listen to the poor.
Listen to the wounded.
Listen to the cries of creation itself.
Then teach the Church
how to pray those cries aloud.
This is no light task.
It is pastoral,
prophetic,
priestly in its own way.
The deacon is to be a bridge
between people and God,
between suffering and hope.
Take the world seriously.
Take God seriously.
And help the Church
hold them together in prayer.”
He folds his hands,
bows his head.
The ordinands sit in silence,
restless yet steadied.
⸻
These reflections/poems are from Rev John Swales, MBE, who is mission priest for the Lighthouse project in Leeds (placements for deacons are offered there!). In Lent this year I published here a series of his meditations on diaconal ministry https://cofedeacons.org/2025/03/11/herald-of-christs-kingdom/
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 