Yesterday the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware ordained six deacons. Count them, six! For some diocese this is not a remarkable event – there were nine of us when I was ordained to the diaconate. But, this was different and very special because in it’s over two-hundred some odd year history, there has never been a vocational (that is a deacon not transitioning to the priesthood) deacon ordained in this diocese. Don’t ask me why, I wasn’t there and I don’t know. All I know is that, as the Diaconate program chair, developer, coordinator, director, pastor, den-mother, event planner, shoulder-to-cry on, you name it……I was ecstatic and floating on the same high clouds as the diaconate candidates cum Deacons!
Even church seemed different for me today – it was actually joyful. It was so joyful that at the dismissal the congregation said three Alleluias not two. The day at home seemed different too. It was cold and wintry outside, but inside it was warm and calm and so, so peaceful. I guess you could say I was “basking” in the afterglow of the spiritual presence of the event. Still am! I hope those six Deacons are too. Thanks be to God!