Recently, the Archbishop of York, an enthusiastic advocate, support and friend of the diaconate, published his Presidential Address to his Diocesan Synod (5 November 2016) advocating a fresh approach to ministry. He asked for copies to be distributed to everyone in church communities across the Diocese of York. This is now available in booklet form: … Continue reading ARCHBISHOP JOHN ON DEACONS
Category: Blog
Interview: Didier Rance, historian by Terence Handley MacMath 24 November 2017 ‘Being a Christian is not to have won an undeserved jackpot, but to help all people win this jackpot’ I always wanted to be a historian. I studied medieval history at the Sorbonne, and left for Egypt to work on a doctorate in comparative … Continue reading SHARING THE GRACE: Deacon Didier Rance
Deacon Andy Farmer talks to Claire Whitmore (Ministry Division of the Church of England) about the way God called him to be a deacon. Part of his story is due to appear soon on the new CofE website about vocations. Deacon Andy Farmer Diocese of Exeter Qu: Tell me a bit about your own faith … Continue reading THE ROOFLESS CHURCH
Inspirational for those of us who are deacon-servants of Christ. https://youtu.be/M51ImXvOG0c This sanctuary of my soul Unwitting I keep white and whole, Unlatch'd and lit, if Thou should'st care To enter or to tarry there. With parted lips and outstretch'd hands and list'ning ears Thy servant stands. Call Thou early, call Thou late, to Thy … Continue reading THIS SANCTUARY OF MY SOUL
Recently, Deacon Corinne Smith was invited to give a paper at the Annual Conference of Roman Catholic Diaconate Directors and Deacon Representatives, run by the Department of Catholic Education and Formation, under the authority of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Her brief was to talk about Anglican Deacons from a woman's perspective - … Continue reading KAIROS MOMENT FOR THE DIACONATE
A brilliant post from Terry, a diaconal enquirer in Derby diocese. It speaks for itself. Time to duck and cover? November 10, 2017 aneverydaydeacon Sorry I have been so quiet.. work is… complicated at the moment, and takes up more thought space than it should. My mind is also in a weird place, slowly formulating what … Continue reading ‘WE DON’T DO DEACONS’. Really?
The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, FATHER FORGIVE The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own, FATHER FORGIVE The greed which exploits the work of human … Continue reading FATHER, FORGIVE: a litany for Remembrance
A poem for All Saints (click on the title if you would prefer to listen to the poet, Malcolm Guite, reading it) and an icon of the Coptic martyrs murdered by Isis, for All Souls. All Saints Though Satan breaks our dark glass into shards Each shard still shines with Christ’s reflected light, It glances … Continue reading ALL SAINTS and ALL SOULS
Some people have asked for these as you were not able to attend. Here's the full script, the powerpoint that goes with it, and the discussion questions we used in the afternoon: THE DIACONATE – A HORRIBLE HISTORY script for York pp york discussion questions I'd be interested in your feedback! - either via the … Continue reading NOTES FROM YORK DEACONS’ CONFERENCE
We deacons often deplore the lack of interest, ignorance and indifference of our dioceses to the ministry of the diaconate. It's a constant frustration that we live with and battle with. At a recent conference, I said that it's time to realise nobody is going to do things for us. And York's former DDO David … Continue reading RAISING THE PROFILE OF THE DIACONATE IN YOUR AREA
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 