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Servants Among Us The history and tradition of deacons in the Church
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This is a description of “diakonia” which means “ministry” or “servanthood”
from “diakonia” comes the words: “deacon” “diaconal” “diaconate” And Jesus continued to enact this way of life throughout his days.
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St. Stephen, Deacon and First Martyr
The First deacons -- Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch Acts 6:5 St. Stephen, Deacon and First Martyr Acts 7:51 - 8:1
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The three-fold ordained ministry
Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, was the first to write of the three-fold structure of ministry we know today. Bishops (episcopos – overseer) unity with the Bishop is a symbol of unity with the one God Presbyters (presbyteros – elders – later called “priests”) representing the council of the apostles Deacons (diakonos – ministers – agents – servants) - symbols of Christ
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Deacons in the Early Church
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Athanasius of Alexandria Fourth Century defender of Nicene orthodoxy
Some deacons, like Athanasius of Alexandria, were elected bishop directly, without having served as priest. Athanasius of Alexandria Fourth Century defender of Nicene orthodoxy
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Ephrem of Edessa 4th century deacon, one of the fathers of the Syrian Orthodox Church; champion of the Nicene faith, biblical scholar, theologian, historian, hymn writer
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Alcuin of York th century deacon, Abbot of Tours, teacher, librarian, tutor to Charlemagne, leading spirit of the Carolingian Renaissance; died in 804
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Frances of Assisi
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More recent Deacons Nicholas Ferrar (Dec 1) th century deacon; founder of Little Gidding community in Huntingtonshire in England; active in providing for the poor, operating a free school and a hospital. Rev Charles Dodgson, Mathematical Lectureship, Christ Church, and author – Alice In Wonderland, under his pen name Lewis Carol. David William Oakerhater (Sept 1) th century deacon; Cheyenne warrior, served for years in Oklahoma Indian Territory; the first American Indian in the Episcopal Calendar of Saints.
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In all, there are about 4,000 deacons in the Episcopal Church today
41 of them are in Northern California
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Deacons’ Gathering
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Deacons’ Gathering
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Deacons’ Gathering
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At Ordinations
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Together in Community
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Our newest Deacons 2016
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So what is a deacon about in this day and age?
Servanthood Heralding Agency
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Diaconal Ministries in Northern California
Kairos Health Care Environment Community Organization Prison Ministry Homeless Shelter Tax assistance Disaster Preparedness Hospice Community Gardens Native American ministries Visiting Outreach Services at care facilities and retirement communities
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Service is something we all do.
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Deacons seek Justice
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Deacons remind us about serving ministry by serving in the liturgy
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Proclaiming the Gospel
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occasionally preaching
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overseeing the intercessions introducing the confession
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preparing the table and the gifts
doing the ablutions
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standing along-side
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assisting in the administration of the sacraments
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giving the dismissal – sending the people out into the world
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Pouring the water at Baptism
- Carrying the Paschal Candle at the Easter Vigil Chanting the Exsultet Take communion to the sick & coordinate the Eucharistic Visitors
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and encouraging us to share in the serving ministry of Jesus.
The deacons are in our midst always reminding us who we are as servants in the Name of Christ, and encouraging us to share in the serving ministry of Jesus.
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Deacons in the Diocese of Northern California give thanks to Deacon Bob Olsen for his work Source material for this presentation includes: Many Servants: An Introduction to Deacons Ormonde Plater The Diaconate: A Full and Equal Order James Barnett
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