No, not the wheeled variety! In this interesting comment on the north-south divide and the failure of the C of E to take informed responsibility in poor areas, community theologian Ann Morisy says ‘the Church of Scotland, besides investing in coaching, provides additional full-time staff for each and every priority (poor) parish. The people appointed, … Continue reading DEACONS AS COMMUNITY COACHES
Phil Wales (diocese of Exeter) rejoices in his calling to the diaconate and here tells his story: Being and Becoming I was overjoyed when I was told recently that I had been recommended for training as a deacon. There are, currently, only between 100-150 distinctive (lifelong) deacons nationally. So, naturally enough, my vocational journey has … Continue reading DEACON ON THE WAY
Father Roy Donovan, Association of Catholic Priests, is calling on the Irish bishops to halt the introduction of the permanent diaconate in Ireland until women can be included. An interesting intervention! It's not often one finds such publicly passionate advocacy of women's ministry in the Roman Catholic church. https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/irish-priests-call-diaconate-pause
A Deacon in Denver Rev Jessica Foster, curate and Distinctive Deacon at St Peter’s Hall Green, Diocese of Birmingham UK, writes: Many of the people we met in Denver, a city in Colorado, USA, wondered (some aloud) why an Anglican minister was part of a delegation from Birmingham, England to think about Countering Violent Extremism. … Continue reading A DEACON IN DENVER
It's so easy for deacons to neglect themselves, especially when our work is demanding. There are some practical and spiritual pointers here for looking after our own needs as well as the needs of others. It's from Roman Catholic site Deacon Digest. DEACONS AND SELF-CARE: CARING FOR THE DEACON Patti Normile Think for a moment … Continue reading CARING FOR THE DEACON
Although many people mistakenly characterize Christianity as a Western church, in our roots we are Eastern. And the Eastern traditions of Christianity have, almost from the beginning, associated deacons with the role of the angel in the community.
We deacons have a job explaining to our church that we're not priests! The confusion arises because we 'look' the same - we are ordained and we wear a clerical collar. The question has arisen, should we have a badge of office? If so, what should it look like? Many years ago it was possible … Continue reading BADGE OF OFFICE?
"As you and I grow in our relationship with God, our minds and hearts will become more like the mind and heart of God. We will find ourselves praying in the way of Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision: “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” In … Continue reading REFLECTION FOR TRINITY 10
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 