Poet Malcolm Guite and artist John August Swanson accompany us as Holy Week begins. Palm Sunday Now to the gate of my Jerusalem, The seething holy city of my heart, The saviour comes. But will I welcome him? Oh crowds of easy feelings make a start; They raise their hands, get caught up in the … Continue reading PALM SUNDAY
Author: 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.
Deacon Lynne Chitty (Exeter), animal rights activist, marathon runner, retreat house breadmaker, writer and member of the community at Mill House Retreats, has written a novella which I'm delighted to publicise here. A story about the healing power of landscape. Set within the dramatic landscape of the Isle of Skye Deals with how the sport … Continue reading DEACON LYNNE’S NOVELLA
Letter to the Editor, Church Times 16 March 2018 Patterns of ministry in the C of E From the Revd Gill Kimber Sir, — Nigel Holmes (Letters, 9 March) writes of Readers’ being “encouraged to move seamlessly to ordained ministry unless they wished to stay lay”. He is, I think, missing the point. Dr Sentamu’s … Continue reading DEACONS AND READERS: letter to the Editor
Born and raised in Newport, South East Wales, I have been brought up in the tradition of the Church in Wales, with both my mother and father being key figures in several church communities. It was not until I was 18 and left home to study at university that I found my spiritual identity. Through … Continue reading NOT CALLED TO PRIESTHOOD: Deacon Sarah Gillard-Faulkner
Deacon Jess Foster (Birmingham) has recently returned from a multi-faith visit to Israel/Palestine. Walking along the canal today I passed a man who was intent on taking a photo. He stood for quite some time focussing and refocussing a professional looking camera, gazing at a spot over the water. After passing him I glanced back … Continue reading THE SUBJECTIVENESS OF SEEING: Deacon Jess reflects on a multi-faith visit to Israel-Palestine
There are so many of us who go through 'desert experiences', where we feel dry and hard, when spiritual life doesn't feel quite real, where we are struggling with grief or loss of illness. It can be a scarey time, particularly for those of us in ministry, who know that somehow we have to continue … Continue reading GOING THROUGH A DESERT EXPERIENCE
Mothering Sunday At last, in spite of all, a recognition, For those who loved and laboured for so long, Who brought us, through that labour, to fruition To flourish in the place where we belong.
Practical wisdom from Diaconal Ministries Canada. This post starts with their absolutely brilliant definition of the diaconate! Deacons serve by leading and equipping the church to minister to its members and the world in a rich diversity of ministries, awakening compassion, demonstrating mercy, seeking justice, and collaborating with God’s Spirit for the transformation of persons … Continue reading HEY DEACONS – LISTEN UP!
I was at St Boniface on Sunday leading Satellite worship, and afterwards as we put away wires and equipment, our friendly neighbourhood electrician said to me 'see that multi-socket over there, the one for six plugs? It makes me so happy.' I stared at it. It looked a perfectly normal socket to me. 'What makes … Continue reading When a multi-socket is a thing of joy
There's a Whatsapp group for Anglican distinctive deacons, called GoDeacons, which is proving a very helpful way for deacons to keep in touch with each other. If you're a lone deacon in your diocese, or if there are very few of you, the whatsapp group means you can keep in easy touch with other deacons … Continue reading WHATSAPP FOR DEACONS: a helpful way to keep in touch
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 