Followers

Monday, January 26, 2015

Five new deacons!

Fabulous news that the Association for Episcopal Deacons has ordained five new deacons into the Sacred Order of Deacons, at Canterbury School's Phillips Chapel, Greensboro (Diocese of North Carolina). Bishop Anne Hodges-Copple, Archdeacon William Joyner and preacher Deacon Nancy Johnson Vaders were part of the occasion. Congratulations to Deacons Leslie Bland, Joan Sherrill, Elaine Tola and Brooks Johnson and Dan Laird, and blessings for your ministry.



Saturday, January 24, 2015

2017 DIAKONIA Assembly - the host committee begins to meet

Deaconess Lisa Polito (left) and Deaconess Diane Marten (right)
As you may know, the next DIAKONIA Assembly will be in Chicago. The venue is set, and the theme is set. And now begins the work of the host committee which will meet this coming Wednesday, 28th January. This initial meeting will be a chance for people to get to know each other, as the committee comprises people from a number of diaconal associations. Diane Marten has agreed to serve as the chairperson, which is wonderful news.

Diane is a Lutheran Deaconess Association deaconess, recently retired. She earned a bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University in 1972 and a master's degree in counseling from Chapman College, Orange, California. Following her master's degree, she provided hospital chaplaincy, private counseling and grief work for children. Her congregational ministry focused on music, youth and Christian Education. Diane also has extensive experience working with infants at risk of developmental disabilities.

In her last position, she served on the staff of the Lutheran Deaconess Association in Valparaiso from 2001, where she served as Director of Education and Fromation. Her main responsibilities were to recruit deaconess and deacon students and then to work with them during their formation process. She worked on staff with Lisa Polito. She retired this past summer. Diane has attended DIAKONIA Assemblies in Halifax and Durham, and she has also attended DOTAC meetings.

Diane is a talented person possessing not only good organizational abilities but also excellent interpersonal skills. DIAKONIA is most fortunate to have Diane serve in this important leadership role as Chairperson.

Please pray for Diane in her role as Chairperson, and for the newly formed Committee, and especially as they meet this coming Wednesday.


Deaconess women in Fiji

Deaconess Sala Naucabalavu and other church women leaders in Fiji in their office planning for 2015 events and activities. Fiji is the only member of DIAKONIA World Federation amongst the Pacific Islands. Please remember the women in your prayers.




You can also follow them on Facebook - Methodist Deaconess Order, Fiji. The Facebook page was opened at the end of December, 2014.

Do you have a Facebook page for your diaconal association? Do let us know as it's a great way of staying in touch with each other.