Journey to the Diaconate - January 2024 Update

Welcome back for another update on my continued discernment on this journey to the diaconate. New Year, New Title. I've moved from Intern to Postulant. 

Internship Experience at St. Martin's 

I spent last Fall as an Intern at St. Martin's Episcopal Church. "Intern" was a title I hadn't carried in 20+ years. What an experience! 

In liturgy, I was encouraged to dive right in. I started with familiar tasks as a chalice bearer, lector, intercessor, and acolyte. I then expanded my role to include setting the table and preaching. Two Sunday services with a formation hour in between require a level of stamina I hadn't exercised recently. A Sunday afternoon nap became a mainstay for the first few weeks of the internship. 

Outside of worship, I spent time exploring the outreach areas of St. Martin’s, of which there are many, and meeting with the Outreach Task Force. I taught a two-part series on the Ordination Rites of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. I was eager to experience as much as possible, and St. Martin’s was equally willing to provide the opportunities. 

I completed my internship on January 7, 2024. If you're interested in knowing more, I posted a reflection. 

Meeting with COM-D 

The following Saturday, I spent time with the Commission on Ministry for the Diaconate. The COM-D consists of lay and clergy, priests and deacons. Over a few hours, we talked about my call and the church, the bible and gospel, sacraments and prayer, conflict and community, and family. 

This meeting serves as a checkpoint in the process. The COM-D makes a recommendation to the Bishop, who grants postulancy and continuance in the program. I was delighted to learn about my postulancy on a call from Bishop Jennifer earlier this week. 

What's next? CPE 

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an interfaith professional education for ministry. It brings theological students, ministers, and qualified laity into supervised encounters with people in crisis. Through intense involvement with persons in need of spiritual care along with feedback from peers and educators, participants will gain a new understanding of ministry and develop a new awareness of themselves and the needs of others. 

I'll be doing my CPE unit at Atrium Health Mercy from February - November. This flavor of CPE is designed for people who are working. I'll spend 7-8 hours/week at the hospital and 2-3 additional hours in reflection with my CPE cohort. 

Of course, all of this is while all of life's other plates have to keep spinning... wife, three kids, work at Huron, and all the things. It will be a busy season, for sure! 

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This process continues to be one of prayer and reflection. Nothing is assumed. I approach and hold it with open hands. I believe that I’m following the path, doing the work that God put me here to do, and will use this time as a way to confirm that.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and positive energy!

DML