A Note from Sarah

Ministry

Dear friends,

Kourtni Patten and eight other candidates were ordained as transitional deacons last Saturday in a joyful service at our cathedral in Boston! There was a good contingent from Grace at the service, and others watched the livestream from home. She served as a deacon this past Sunday at our morning service. Deacons – whether transitional or permanent – take certain roles in our worship. They proclaim the gospel; set and clear the altar; and offer the dismissal. They may preach and assist in distributing Communion; they may also pour the blessed water over a

candidate for baptism.

Broadly speaking, beyond their liturgical roles, a deacon is called to serve those who are vulnerable in our society; a priest is called to tend the spiritual life of a parish; and a bishop is called to oversee the ministry of the churches in his or her diocese.

And at heart, ordained ministers are called to support the ministry of every baptized person. The Episcopal Church recognizes four orders of ministry: lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. Here is what the catechism in our prayer book teaches about the ministry of the laity:

The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church;

to bear witness to him wherever they may be;

to carry on Christ’s ministry of reconciliation in the world;

and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.

To bear witness to Christ and be an agent of Christ’s reconciliation in this troubled world is both a great privilege and a daunting task. As an ordained person, Kourtni will work to strengthen those on the front lines of Christian ministry in the world.

Kourtni will be with as at Grace on some Sundays while she awaits a parish placement; and, because she is a transitional deacon, she will be ordained a priest about six months from now.

May you know God’s peace today.

~ Sarah