James Tissot, the Magi Journeying c 1890 Epiphany It might have been just someone else’s story, Some chosen people get a special king. We leave them to their own peculiar glory, We don’t belong, it doesn’t mean a thing. But when these three arrive they bring us with them, Gentiles like us, their wisdom might … Continue reading FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
Category: Blog
Many of you know that there is a developing conversation around the country between the Rev Dr David Hewlett, Principal of Queens Foundation, and both bishops and heads of other ordination training courses. Recently the bishop of Portsmouth responded to his deacon ordinand, who had sent him the options David is suggesting, with this question: … Continue reading APOLOGETICS – A DIACONAL APPROACH
Very positive support from the Director for Theological Education in the Anglican Communion, Rev Canon Dr Stephen Spencer, concerning the proposed #distinctivedeacontraining at Queens Foundation @queensfdn: "The modules that David Hewlett is suggesting look spot on to me. The range of topics and structure look excellent." See the details of Dr Hewlett's proposal here: https://deaconstories.wordpress.com/2018/12/15/diaconally-focused-training-a-message-from-the-principal-of-queens-foundation/ … Continue reading DIRECTOR OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION in Anglican Communion supports focused diaconal formation
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, a deacon of the early church in Asia. Although Christmas was not a major celebration in the early church, “Hymn on the Nativity IV,” one in a series of … Continue reading A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!
I'm thrilled to announce our next national deacons' conference! It will be on 16 May 2020 at the same venue as this year, the Frances Young Centre at Queen's Foundation, Birmingham. The speaker will be the Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and Chair of the Church of England Ministry Council. … Continue reading NEXT DEACONS’ NATIONAL CONFERENCE! (and what to do until then)
When we had our national conference in Birmingham in October, the Principal of Queens Foundation, Dr David Hewlett, attended the whole conference and announced that he's planning to include some courses especially with deacons in mind. He already has three deacons on his staff, two Methodist and one Anglican: and the college trains Methodist deacons … Continue reading DIACONALLY-FOCUSED TRAINING: a message from the Principal of Queen’s Foundation
Today is his feast. House of Vocation @houseofvocation “We must dig deeply in Christ. He is like a rich mine with many pockets containing treasures: however deep we dig we will never find their end or their limit. Indeed, in every pocket new seams of fresh riches are discovered on all sides.” St John of the … Continue reading ST JOHN OF THE CROSS
Deacon Ben Bradshaw has recently had this excellent article published in New Directions. I am very grateful to him for permission to post it here. I have put some of his points in bold type. Exploring the origins of the diaconate and considering its future By Fr Ben Bradshaw Deacon and Chaplain to the Bishop … Continue reading BISHOP’S DEACON: Ben Bradshaw considers the origins and potential of the diaconate
Diaconal Ministries Canada has an excellent website with many good resources for their deacons. Although it's not an Anglican church, they have a very well-worked-out understanding of diaconal ministry under 4 headings: compassion, justice, stewardship and community ministry. The following comes from their series of 12 devotions for deacons, concerning the nuts and bolts of … Continue reading DEVOTIONS FOR DEACONS: partnership
Advent Sunday Christian Rossetti BEHOLD, the Bridegroom cometh: go ye out With lighted lamps and garlands round about To meet Him in a rapture with a shout. It may be at the midnight, black as pitch, Earth shall cast up her poor, cast up her rich. It may be at the crowing of the cock Earth … Continue reading ADVENT SUNDAY
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 