Our New Deacons!

It all started about four and a half years ago. After much hard work and dedication, on January 30th, our congregation began a new chapter with the ordinations of Bill and David to the Sacred Order of Deacons. The Laying On of Hands in the Apostolic Succession was made by The Right Reverend Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr., before a packed house. Our ministry changed in character on that day as we move another vital step closer to the day they are ordained as priests. They were ordained to the transitional deaconate, meaning that ultimately they will be ordained as priests at least 6 months from now. Deacons perform a number of roles and are especially entrusted with helping the poor, the oppressed, and the sick.

The deacon represents the Gospel to the congregation, and in fact one of the most cherished deaconal duties is that of Gospeler. The Gospeler proclaims, or reads, the Gospel for the people. The deacon literally walks the Gospel Book into the midst of the congregation to read it.

Of the three readings, Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel, the Deacon preaches the Gospel. They interpret the needs of the world and how the congregation may help meet those needs. Deacons typically oversee the outreach missions of a congregation. They are special assistants to Bishop Gibbs and are under his direct supervision. Because of this close relationship with the Bishop, deacons also serve as a liaison between the people and the Bishop. In worship, deacons are identified by the stole they wear diagonally across their chest.

To our new deacons we say, "Congratulations, and well done!"