Servants Among Us The history and tradition of deacons in the Church

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.

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

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

Deacons in the Early Church

Some deacons, like Athanasius of Alexandria, were elected bishop directly, without having served as priest. Athanasius of Alexandria Fourth Century defender of Nicene orthodoxy

Ephrem of Edessa 4 th century deacon, one of the fathers of the Syrian Orthodox Church; champion of the Nicene faith, biblical scholar, theologian, historian, hymn writer

Alcuin of York 8th century deacon, Abbot of Tours, teacher, librarian, tutor to Charlemagne, leading spirit of the Carolingian Renaissance; died in 804

Frances of Assisi

More recent Deacons Nicholas Ferrar (Dec 1) 17 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) 20 th century deacon; Cheyenne warrior, served for years in Oklahoma Indian Territory; the first American Indian in the Episcopal Calendar of Saints.

In all, there are about 4,000 deacons in the Episcopal Church today 41 of them are in Northern California

Deacons Gathering

At Ordinations

Together in Community

So what is a deacon about in this day and age? Servanthood Heralding Agency

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

Service is something we all do.

Deacons seek Justice

Deacons remind us about serving ministry by serving in the liturgy

Proclaiming the Gospel

occasionally preaching

overseeing the intercessions introducing the confession

preparing the table and the gifts doing the ablutions

standing along-side

assisting in the administration of the sacraments

giving the dismissal sending the people out into the world

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 -

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.

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