From Deacon Jess Foster's blog A sermon based on the reading set for the first Sunday of Lent. Matthew 4 1-11 A cultural desert, I feel deserted, the desert is barren, it’s a wilderness out there. I like words and I enjoy thinking about what words we put together and what words sound like each … Continue reading LENT SERMON FROM ONE WHO WANDERS IN THE WILDERNESS: Deacon Jess Foster
Category: Blog
WHO DO THEY THINK WE ARE? Speaker: Rev Dr Anna Sorensen Deacon’s Weekend Conference at Wydale Hall, Yorkshire (28th February 2020 to 1st March 2020) Report by Sarah Johnson, diaconal enquirer Hosted by York Diocese and audio files from the weekend are aimed to be available through their website. Rev Dr Anna Sorensen (details below) … Continue reading WHO DO THEY THINK WE ARE? Report on York deacons’ conference March 2020
For March, Sr Doris Horn (Germany and former DIAKONIA President) has written this short encouraging reflection. DIAKONIA Prayer Letter March 2020 I just found this meaningful sentence about prayer: Prayer does not replace action. But it is an action, that can not be replaced by any other. (H. … Continue reading DIAKONIA PRAYER LETTER FOR MARCH 2020
Another interesting article, this time from the National Catholic Register, musing over what the ramifications might be for the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches if one were to go ahead with the reinstitution of deaconesses. All very patriarchal. And of course, a clear distinction made between 'consecration' and 'ordination'. Would Female Deacons Unite or Separate … Continue reading Would Female Deacons Unite or Separate Catholics From the Orthodox?
An interesting read, especially in comparison with the Anglican understanding of the distinctive diaconate (not 'permanent', because deacons can become priests in Anglicanism. It can't be changed to priesthood in Roman Catholicism, because the permanent deacons are usually married men whereas the priesthood is single and celibate). (image: https://www.southworld.net/south-africa-the-appointment-of-ten-new-permanent-deacons/) A Short History of the Permanent … Continue reading SHORT HISTORY OF THE PERMANENT (ROMAN CATHOLIC) DIACONATE
It's not often that #distinctivedeacons are specifically mentioned in an advert, but this is a rare example for a post that looks very exciting! National Missioner to the Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda (One full-time or two half-time posts, lay or ordained, flexible location) This new post, generously funded for two years by … Continue reading NATIONAL MISSIONER FOR THE SOCIETY: distinctive deacons welcome to apply
The DIAKONIA World Federation of Diaconal Associations and Diaconal Communities embraces diaconal ministry in different denominations and in every continent, and it's good to be reminded that we in UK are part of a much bigger, international picture. Their website contains news from all over the world, advertises their international assemblies and posts a monthly … Continue reading DIAKONIA PRAYER OF THE MONTH
Have you ever wished there was more understanding and appreciation of the diaconate? Have you ever wanted more clarity in explaining what exactly your ministry is? Have you ever wished for more support? Would you like, or would you have liked, more of a diaconal input in your training and formation? Then our 2020 conference DEACONS ON THE MOVE 2020 is definitely for you!
When I was first made warden for the diocesan College of St Philip the Deacon, I worked on a document with the DDO and the bishop of Plymouth outlining not only my own job description but also an introduction to the college. That was seven years ago. Since then my diocesan steering group, to whom … Continue reading INTRODUCTION TO THE EXETER COLLEGE OF ST PHILIP THE DEACON
Here's a fascinating interview from Episcopal Cafe with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church in the USA about deacons. He is absolutely spot-on, and it's worth reading the whole thing as it's enormously encouraging. But there is a very different voice from a deacon who actually has a life and living in the … Continue reading DIAKONIA: INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP CURRY
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 