CENDD Online Retreat brings Distinctive Deacons together in reflection and prayer

 

Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Stations of the Cross, 1992, Station Four: Mother and Son – Suffering, Solidarity & Community

A group of CofE Distinctive Deacons (DDs), ordinands and those interested and supporting them met online on Saturday 1st November 2025 to hear Rev’d Jon Swales, the founder of Lighthouse, a fresh expression of church for those battered and bruised by the storms of life in Leeds, read and discuss his inspirational poetry.

The poems, all available free online (https://www.cruciformjustice.com/) and in his recent book, Lament and Hope, covered topics such as “the slow burn miracle of love”, how “Jesus is a Litmus Test for Orthodoxy” and “how love does not equate to a handout culture”.

The occasion was an online retreat titled Cruciform Love in a Broken World: Diaconal Reflections and was organised by the Church of England Network of Distinctive Deacons (CENDD)( https://cofedeacons.org/).

The Retreat also included time for prayer, reflection and music led by DD ordinand Lucy Bunce (an accomplished harpist – https://www.lucybunce.com/) and Rev Dcn Helena Whitwell. And reflection continued in small groups.

Feedback from the event included comments including “Beautifully led meditation and worship. God spoke powerfully through the images of Jesus talking to us. The variety of Jon’s presentation was helpful: narrative, poetry as well as storytelling and challenge.” And “It is always nice to be with a group of DD’s. I always find it reassuring to be with people that understand how I feel”. And, “Definitely one of the best online events I have ever attended”

Rev Dcn Chris Sheehan who helped organise and facilitate the retreat said “it was a great event and brought together many with a diaconal heart for a time of peace and reflection.”

CENDD’s next event is their National conference on Saturday April 25th 2026 with keynote speaker Revd Canon Rosalind Brown, author of Being a Deacon Today. It is being held at the Royal Foundation of St Katherine’s, East London and will also be available online. Further details to follow.

Blog issued by CENDD – [further details about CENDD, including contact details are available on this website cofedeacons.org], November 8th 2025

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Published by GillK

Gill has been a missioner in Nigeria, Romania and various parishes in England. She was ordained a 'distinctive' deacon in 1991. In this capacity she was warden of the College of St Philip the Deacon in Exeter diocese, and founder member of the CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons https://cofedeacons.org. She has also written the story of her own call, Deacon by Design. https://www.waterstones.com/book/deacon-by-design/gill-kimber/9781910719794 She's passionate about the diaconate and, now retired, continues to support those who are called to this ministry.

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