No - not the 2001 ill-fated report on deacons! This time it's the title for a conference where 200 deacons from all over the world will come together. Your idea of deacon heaven? In that case you can attend this conference: the details have been sent from Church of Scotland Deacon Gordon Pennykid. PRESS RELEASE … Continue reading FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS (2)
Category: Blog
Phoebe On being a deacon: A Personal Reflection I think God hungers for the Church to become a Servant Community and, if this is to happen, it must be because of the leadership and example of its deacons. R. Stewart Wood, Jr. Bishop of Michigan This Episcopal Church leaflet has been around for a while, but does a good job in explaining the diaconal focus and … Continue reading ON BEING A DEACON
If you're scratching your head for resources, try these: https://ctbi.org.uk/remembrance-sunday (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland) https://www.messychurch.org.uk/resource/messy-remembrance (Messy Church) C of E: includes ideas for non-biblical readings and the Coventry Cross of Nails confession: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/church-england-world-war-one/general-guide-resources-commemorating-world-war-i These Bible Society resources offer a church pack which includes a service plan and a short sermon, suggested hymns and … Continue reading RESOURCES FOR REMEMBRANCE AND ARMISTICE
Luke His gospel is itself a living creature A ground and glory round the throne of God, Where earth and heaven breathe through human nature And One upon the throne sees it is good. Luke is the living pillar of our healing, A lowly ox, the servant of the four, We turn his page to … Continue reading FEAST OF ST LUKE
Yes, the countdown has started - only 5 days to go before registration for our national conference closes at the end of this week. If you're a Last-Minute type, head over to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/deacons-on-the-move-tickets-42469581662?aff=estw and book yourself in. Don't miss out!
A Congregation Behind Bars Sarah Gillard-Faulkner explains the importance of prison chaplaincy The community where I minister is really quite self-contained. It has residents, a health centre, a café, a gym, a mechanical garage, classrooms, a hairdresser, several residential spaces with many offices, a mosque, a gurdwara, a meditation centre, and a church. And it … Continue reading CROSSING BOUNDARIES: IN PRISON
A special day today, 11 October, for the College of St Philip the Deacon in Exeter diocese, as this St Philip (not Philip the Apostle) has newly become our patron saint, as suggested by our Bishop. Today Exeter Cathedral will hold an inaugural Sung Evensong to celebrate, with Bishop Martin Shaw. If you're in the … Continue reading 11 OCTOBER: FEAST DAY OF ST PHILIP THE DEACON
Deacon Liz Carrington talks about her boundary-crossing ministry at York racecourse. I have been involved with chaplaincy at York racecourse for seven years. The team was initially drawn from volunteers with York Street Angels as we already had training which would be useful in another setting. We have maintained an ecumenical team of about six including … Continue reading BOUNDARY-CROSSING WITH HORSES!
Francis has a special place in the heart of deacons, as he was a deacon himself. Francis, Rebuild My Church’; a sonnet for the Saint and for the Pope ‘Francis rebuild my church which, as you see Is falling into ruin.’ From the cross Your saviour spoke to you and speaks to us Again through … Continue reading FEAST OF ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Deacon Alison Handcock is the first to respond to my invitation for deacon stories about how your diaconal ministry crosses boundaries. Here is her story: Boundary crossing seems key to me. As a woman in a predominantly male deanery (with Conservative Evangelical/REFORM Area Dean) there are times when crossing the boundaries of tradition, gender and … Continue reading A DEACON CROSSING BOUNDARIES
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 