More about David Clark: David Clark is a Methodist deacon and a member of the Society of Friends. From 1973 - 1990 he was a senior lecturer in community education at Westhill College, Birmingham. During that time he became a leading figure in the Christian Community Movement, establishing the National Centre for Christian Communities and … Continue reading YORK DEACONS’ CONFERENCE: A WEEK TO GO!
Category: Blog
As deacons we are pretty starved of resources about our vocation and ministry. But there's good news. Last year there was an international ecumenical conference on the diaconate in Saskatchewan: see report here. As a follow-up, a book is coming out in August this year with all the talks, to be called 'The Diaconate in … Continue reading NEW BOOK ON DIACONATE COMING SOON
I'm indebted to #distinctivedeacon Gill Newman for sending me the Southwark Diocese IME Phase 2 Training Handbook for Distinctive Deacons. Southwark is taking the diaconate seriously, and the handbook is pretty thorough and comprehensive as well as clear about (distinctive) deacons. Distinctive deacons are those who hear the call to this ministry, primarily of service, … Continue reading IME HANDBOOK FOR DEACONS: Southwark diocese
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Psalm 51 Mercy. That’s what it’s all about. As we begin Lent, a great place to start is with a better understanding of mercy. Often when we think about Lent, we think of it with a sort of dread. “I have to give something up,” we often … Continue reading ASH WEDNESDAY: SET FREE FOR MERCY
Abbot Aelfric (955-ca. 1012), wrote and preached in the English language (Anglo-Saxon), as opposed to Latin (although he was a Latin scholar too). He was an excellent, clear preacher: we can still learn from his wisdom. Here's part of his sermon for Quinguagesima on Luke 18:31-43. Don't worry - it's been translated! - and well … Continue reading PRE-LENT WISDOM
Last week General Synod backed a drive to create new churches on estates throughout the country. This movement has been growing for some time: see https://estatechurches.org/ and it was good to see it receive overwhelming support, especially as this challenge is very close to the serving, risk-taking and radical hearts of deacons. https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/general-synod-backs-drive-create-new-churches-estates However, the … Continue reading NEW CHURCHES ON ESTATES: +Philip North at General Synod
Two days ago, the General Synod backed a call for the Church of England to work closely with charities and other groups to tackle homelessness. Members voted in favour of a Private Member’s Motion calling upon the Archbishops’ Council to enable the formation of a Church of England-led task force on homelessness. Deacons will welcome … Continue reading FAITH AND HOMELESSNESS
Recently I came across a booklet on the website of the diocese of Melbourne in Australia about their policy on the diaconate. I found it very clear and most encouraging, and I think it has elements which can help us here in the UK. I have posted extracts on our Deacons' Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DistinctivelyDeacon/ … Continue reading THE DISTINCTIVE MINISTRY OF THE DEACON: diocese of Melbourne
Reclaim "core business" of the faith, deacons encouraged I am not sure about relationships being the 'core faith' - surely Christ has something to do with that? - but this is an interesting idea: deacons called to be 'leaders of relationships.' What do you think? (Ed) (I am assuming these are not distinctive deacons) February … Continue reading Deacons called to be leaders of relationships
Recently a number of deacons have suggested that we set up 'deacon hubs' across the country. The definition of a networking hub on Quora says A Hub is a networking device which receives a signal from the source, amplifies it and sends it to multiple destinations or computers. An active hub receives the signal, amplifies … Continue reading SETTING UP DEACON HUBS
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 