Tuesday, April 21, 2015

RI Deacons to Celebrate 30 Years of Ordained Ministry!

 

Join The Rhode Island Diaconate in Celebrating

30 years of Ordained Ministry!

 

May 30, 2015 2:00 PM

St. Martin's Episcopal Church

50 Orchard Ave., Providence, RI, 02906

 
 
 
On July 13, 1985, Bishop George Hunt ordained the first class of Deacons who completed their formation and academic preparations at the Diocese of Rhode Island School for Deacons.  This was the beginning of the revival and resurrection of the vocational Diaconate in our Diocese.  Since that time, there have been 42 people ordained to this order and several others who have transferred their orders to our diocese for a total of 46 vocational deacons to serve here.  Some of these have moved to other dioceses or denominations, some renounced their orders, and others are deceased.  Today, there are 27 canonically resident vocational deacons in Rhode Island, with nine active and eighteen retired.  All active deacons serve in a parish or mission in collaboration with the Rector, Vicar or Priest-in-Charge.
 
2015 is being designated as a year of celebration for this outstanding ministry in our diocese.  There is a Diocesan wide diaconal ministry event being launched to raise funds for St. Mary's Home for Children, with the current deacons working with parishes and missions to raise funds for this vital work in our community, and to raise awareness of the financial needs of the agency to sustain this work.  The fundraiser was kicked off with the collection of $534 from The Episcopal Church Women's Annual Meeting designating their loose offering collection during their Eucharist for this initiative!  Parishes are being asked to do creative activities to raise money throughout the winter and the spring which will be gathered and presented to St. Mary's at a Festive Eucharist on May 30, 2015 at 2:00 PM at St. Martin's Church, Providence.

No comments:

Post a Comment