Meg's a Deacon!
Dear friends and members of St. Matt's,
Last week, I got to share the good news with you that our former intern, Meg Stapleton Smith was ordained a Transitional Deacon at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford on June 18th. I'm happy now to be able to share a little more with you about that and some pictures! God-willing and the People consenting, Meg will be ordained a Priest in 6-8 months. I hope that many of us will be able to go and celebrate with her on that day, and we'll arrange a special gift from the parish as the time draws nearer. Meanwhile, at the Ordination of a Deacon, the Bishop begins the Examination (the part with the vows) by saying these words:
My sister, every Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ, serving God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. God now calls you to a special ministry of servanthood directly under your bishop. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.
As a deacon in the Church, you are to study the Holy Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model your life upon them. You are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship. You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world. You are to assist the bishop and priests in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments, and you are to carry out other duties assigned to you from time to time. At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.
My sister, do you believe that you are truly called by God and his Church to the life and work of a deacon?
The answer to that last questions is, "I believe I am so called." And then Meg made some vows about how she would live her life as an ordained person: committing herself to the church, promising to be guided by her Bishop and others who have authority over her, promising to pattern her life after the teachings of the church, to seek Christ in all people, to help those in need, and among other things, to seek the glory of Christ. It's quite a set of promises.
I give thanks for Meg, for her ministry among us, and for the many ways she will continue to bless the church as an ordained person. As an intern with us, Meg was faithful and thoughtful and grew in her time with us, in part because of the many ways you supported, strengthened, and loved her. And so, I also give thanks for you - and for the gift that you have given the church in this newly minted Deacon. There are great things ahead of her, and like all of you, I'm so looking forward to seeing what God has planned for her and for the church that will be strengthened by her love and faithfulness. I hope we'll see her soon - so that you can see her in this role, behind the Altar and proclaiming the Gospel. And until, then, I hope you'll keep her in your prayers. Click here to click through and see the rest of the pictures!
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Deacon Ordination: Meg Stapleton Smith
Tags: Welcome from the Rector