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Stop press: Six Qualities and Evidences now in Word
Deacon Jonathan Halliwell, our education adviser, has kindly downloaded the Six Qualities and Evidences for distinctive deacons to a useful Word document. Read more
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First Orthodox deaconess ordained in Zimbabwe
In 2017, an historic step was taken by the Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, when he consecrated five women to be deaconesses in the… Read more
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Philip and the Ethiopian
God is asking Philip to leave the success story, and move on to something new. We might not have a mighty success story to tell, but… Read more
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Resurrection!
Our life had no hope of eternal happiness before You redeemed us. Read more
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Crucifixion
Sinne is that presse and vice, which forceth pain To hunt his cruell food through ev’ry vein. Read more
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Palm Sunday: sonnet and resources
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 singing,… Read more
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To love and serve Christ in the world: a reflection for Ash Wednesday
“go in the peace of Christ to love and serve the world”! Read more
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Presentation of Christ in the temple
They came, as called, according to the Law. Though they were poor and had to keep things simple, They moved in grace, in quietness, in awe,… Read more
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STORY: A Deacon in her Workplace
At the moment we are sharing stories of deacons in their context. These might be stories of encounters or short reflections on what they experienced as… Read more
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STORY: ‘People at the edges are at the centre of God’s story’
At the moment we are sharing stories of deacons in their context. These might be stories of encounters or short reflections on what they experienced as… Read more
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STORY: From Psychiatric Nurse to Mental Health Chaplain
At the moment we are sharing stories of deacons in their context. These might be stories of encounters or short reflections on what they experienced as… Read more
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STORY: Hospice Chaplaincy
Over the next months, we will be sharing stories of deacons in their context. These might be stories of encounters or short reflections on what they… Read more
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Approaching my Peers’ Ordination to Priesthood
Next weekend, I will have been ordained deacon for one year! Reflecting on the year past and the coming weeks has been interesting and from what… Read more
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Deacons in the Diocese of Europe
In January, distinctive Deacons Chris Saccali (Athens) and Jonathan Halliwell (St John & St Philip, the Hague, Netherlands) (picture above) were invited by DDO for the… Read more
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DEACONS: NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023 “BREAKING NEW GROUND”
The booking for our annual conference on the 21st October is now open! This conference is a unique opportunity for Distinctive Deacons in the UK and… Read more
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Looking back with joy and gratitude
I have now formally stepped down as Chair of CENDD, and have handed over to Deacon Gill Newman, in whom I have the utmost confidence that… Read more
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Christ is risen!
Christ is risen from the dead, the first-fruits of those who slept! Read more
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Good Friday
In the middle of the world, in the centre Of the polluted heart of man, a midden; A stake stemmed in the rubbish Read more
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Maundy Thursday: Hymn of Bridegroom and Herbert’s The Agony
Who would know Sin, let him repair Unto Mount Olivet; there shall he see A man, so wrung with pains, that all his hair, His skin,… Read more
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Lent Reflections 6: Part of the Body
Just after Easter, I realised that I needed to go to a foodbank. I didn’t want to but had to. While I was there, I was… Read more
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Lent Reflections 5: honouring others
“I came to the food bank, I still had my car and I was well dressed. As I entered the building I overheard people say –… Read more
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Lent Reflections 4: from orphan to son
I recognised myself moving from orphan to son. People don’t think that they are worth something, worth anything. You can encounter poverty in so many places. Read more
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Lent Reflections 3: prayer and kindness
For John, prayer and kindness are at the heart of Christianity and his choice of Bible readings reflects that. John chose the book of Ruth from… Read more
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Lenten Reflections 2: Set free
Sometimes I thought that Jesus was so perfect that I couldn’t go to him with the stuff that had happened to me. But when you do,… Read more
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Lenten reflections: 1. Trusting God for our daily needs
‘When I was thinking about a Bible verse or story that I wanted to share there was one that kept popping into my mind. It is… Read more
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Ash Wednesday: set free for mercy
Giving something up is really all about entering into God’s abundant mercy on a deeper level. It’s about being freed from all that binds us and… Read more
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Who cares for the deacon?
I’ve heard a number of stories recently of deacons experiencing burnout, or whose situation is very challenging and exhausting. The church’s pastoral care of deacons can… Read more
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Presentation of Christ in the temple: or, Candlemas
They came, as called, according to the Law. Though they were poor and had to keep things simple, They moved in grace, in quietness, in awe,… Read more
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That we may be one, as the Father and the Son are one
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity kicks off today (Wednesday 18 January) on the theme of racial justice, as churches around the world join the… Read more
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LOVE YOUR DDO 2023: how to be a resource!
So the Deacons’ Network Steering Group would like to invite you to take part in what we’re calling ‘Love your DDO 2023’. Taking into account just… Read more
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The New Year
Dear Lord, as this new year is born I give it to Thy hand, Content to walk by faith what paths I cannot understand. Read more
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A blessed Christmas!
A very blessed Christmas to you all, and a peaceful and hopeful new year. I can do no better than offer you a poem of Ephrem,… Read more
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Distinctive Deacons’ weekend: Reflections on the Ordinal
a weekend especially for distinctive deacons, reflecting on aspects of the Ordinal, with Bishop John Pritchard and Bishop James Newcome. Read more
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Advent, Deacons and the humility of God
the Son of God teaches us that humility means not clinging to things, things that might even be ours by right. Therefore, for us who are… Read more
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A Catholic Deacon takes a stand on behalf of women deacons
I heard the call to rebuild the church…in a new way. To use my position as a male permanent deacon to advocate for the ordination of… Read more
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Deacons as angels, angels as deacons: by Deacon William Ditewig
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… Read more
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The Deacon in the Workplace: the servant leader
A recent example of this has been the need to restructure the organisation following the ending of a significant government contract. This meant losing people from… Read more
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Discerning diaconal vocation in others
You are looking for inclinations toward diaconal ministry and the potential for leadership in ministry in a person that can be called forward in preparation for… Read more
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The edge of the inside: a deacon’s habitation
‘Practical truth is more likely found at the bottom and the edges than at the top or center of most groups, institutions, and cultures’. Read more
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The diaconal vocation and the power of the Eucharist
‘As deacons we are privileged to spend much time with the Eucharist. We bear the chalice, the blood of Christ. We cleanse the vessels after Mass.… Read more
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All manner of stamina and dedication: diaconal ministry in the Amazon
In this part of the world where there are few priests and with the permission of her bishop, Cira has baptized more than 1,300 children and… Read more
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Servant Leadership: washing feet and kicking ass: Dr Richard Tiplady
They’re servant leaders, serving the purposes of Christ and serving God’s people by roping them in to the task at hand. Sometimes that means challenging the… Read more
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Advice for new deacons
IT WILL be the work of a moment for your diary to get filled up. Protect the essentials at all costs: time for God; time for… Read more
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HM Queen Elizabeth II: Rest in Peace
May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Read more
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Standing at the church door: the role of the diaconate
“Our deepest call from our creator, and from our teacher and friend Jesus, is to be with suffering and be with people who are marginalized. There’s… Read more
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Spiritual practice: looking at the universe
These stunning photos were of images taken by the Webb Telescope. What completely caught me by surprise was how deeply spiritual this experience was. Every time… Read more
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The vocational diaconate as a vehicle for pioneer ministry: Rev Dr Richard Tiplady
It must be clearly stated that Deacons, while being communicant members of congregations, having a liturgical ministry and dovetailing with the work of presbyters, are primarily… Read more
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The role of the deacon in the diocese: conference address by the Rt Rev James Newcome
It is very important to describe the role of Distinctive Deacons in terms of what they are and what they do: and not in terms of… Read more
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Deacons and angels
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… Read more