Deacon Rev Linda Vogel

Deacon Rev. Linda Vogel (United Methodist Church) died this week after contracting cancer. Victoria Rebeck spoke of her influential and prophetic voice in Christian discipleship formation and asked for prayers for her husband, Dwight Vogel, and others who grieve the loss of her physical presence with us.

Linda and Dwight have contributed a great deal to the understanding of the role of Deacons and Elders in the United Methodist Church. This paper is one of their very helpful contributions on 'Deacons as Sacraments of the Table' in the context of UMC, but which has relevance to many other church traditions. From afar, I have valued Linda's insightful reflections on diaconal ministry.

Deacons as Sacraments of the Table
Dwight W. and Linda J. Vogel
The role of the deacon in the United Methodist Church today is related to three tables that are central to the experience of the New Testament church: the table of service, the table of justice, and the table of grace. All three tables are sacramental in nature and deacons are themselves sacraments of service, justice and grace.

Fijian Methodists call for prayers for COP23

Climate change is impacting significantly on the island nations in the Pacific. Fiji has taken on the role of Presidency of the Conference of Parties, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and has asked for prayers. 

Fijian Methodists call for prayers for COP23 (source: WCC)

As the world convenes in Bonn, Germany for the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP23) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Methodist Church in Fiji issued a statement calling for Methodists around the world to join in prayer for the country’s leadership and for the talanoa process of negotiations which will take place over the next two weeks.

Talanoa, meaning storytelling and dialogue, is a continuing process of building relationships and understanding and presenting outcomes to date. At COP23, this methodology is being used to address Fiji’s calls for climate justice.

The statement released on 2 November appeals for prayers “for States to take bold action to rapidly reduce emissions, in line with the 1.5°C goal, for an effective facilitative dialogue that could speed the advance to low-carbon economies and for increased and innovative public and private finance to enable achievement of the 1.5C target”.

Expressing support to the government of Fiji as the country assumes the presidency of the COP, the statement also calls upon the nations of the world to stand with Fiji as it amplifies the voices of vulnerable Pacific small island states and coastal cities and to endorse the COP23 Multifaith Charter prepared by the faith communities of Fiji in partnership with the COP23 Presidency Secretariat.

“As the nations…gather for COP23 under the presidency of Fiji, it is our common hope and constant prayer, as people of faith, that the reflections and discernment and life- affirming responses of such spirituality remain as critically important as scientific and political conversations in the decision-making processes during COP23”.

The Methodist Church in Fiji is represented at COP23 by Rev. James Bhagwan, who has been involved in faith and climate change work for the last decade and is part of the World Council of Churches delegation.

The Order of Diaconal Ministries of the Presbyterian Church in Canada

The Order of Diaconal Ministries of The Presbyterian Church in Canada Bi-annual Council met at Crieff Hills Conference Centre, Ontario in early October.

Ecumenical Strategic Forum on Diakonia and Sustainable Development

DIAKONIA World Federation has a particular ecumenical relationship with the World Council of Churches. Although 'diakonia' terminology in the WCC refers primarily to what might in other settings be referred to as 'relief and development', nevertheless it is interesting to engage with, and be informed by, the discussion.
The primary objective of the ecumenical strategic forum on diakonia and sustainable development is to strengthen ecumenical collaboration on diakonia and development; stimulate strategies for leveraging national impact; and provide a road map for the ecumenical accompaniment of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
The ecumenical strategic forum will gather around 75 participants from churches, councils, communions and specialized ministries, involving national, regional and global ecumenical actors.
The forum, convened by the World Council of Churches (WCC), will take place from 3 to 6 October 2017 at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland.

Kaiserswerth General Conference - Berlin

The Secretary General of the Kaiserswerther Verband, of the Kaiserswerther Generalkonferenz (Kaiserswerth General Conference), Dr Christine-Ruth Müller, has retired. She formally concluded her role on 1st September 2017, after 11 years in the role.

Dr Christine-Ruth Müller in 2009

Dr. Christine-Ruth Müller joined the Kaiserswerther Verband (Kaiserswerth Association) as Secretary General at the beginning of 2007, and her successes have included the restructuring of the association and the development of Kaiserswerther Verband as a nationwide representation of Diaconia in the form of Diaconal Community.

The Kaiserswerther Verband represents diaconal work in the evangelical church, bringing together more than 100 deaconess motherhouses, diaconal communities and organisations in Germany. It is part of the international Kaiserswerth General Conference.

Dr. Christine-Ruth Müller will be succeeded by long-time rector of the Diakoniewerk Gallneukirchen, Christa Schrauf. Pastor Christa Schrauf was the Rector and Chief Executive Officer of the Evangelical Diakoniewerk Gallneukirchen from 2008 to 2016, the largest diaconal employer in Austria with more than 3500 employees. Since 2013, she has also been President of Kaiserswerth General Conference, and since 2014 has been a member of the German Network “Women in Leadership in Church and Diakonia”.

Pastor Christa Schrauf, new Secretary General

On September 27th at 2 pm, Kaiserswerth General Conference celebrates the work of Dr Christine-Ruth Müller, as part of a feast day service in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin. President of Diakonie Deutschland Ulrich Lilie will conduct a handover ceremony during the service to wish farewell to Christine-Ruth Müller and to welcome the incoming Secretary General Christa Schrauf into her new role.

Rev Marianne Uri Øverland from Norway, Regional President of the DIAKONIA-DRAE Region, will bring greetings on behalf of DIAKONIA World. Deaconesses Ulrike Kellner and Traude Leitenberger will also be in attendance.

50th anniversary of consecration - Edie Eickemeyer and Louise Williams

Congratulations to Deaconess Edie Eickemeyer and Deaconess Louise Williams, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their consecration as Deaconesses. That's a lot of combined experience and a great deal of wisdom! Blessings to you both.

Barbara Urquhart DCS retirement

News from the Diaconate of the Church of Scotland:
The congregation of New Laigh Kirk in Kilmarnock said farewell to Barbara Urquhart DCS, who retired as the church’s pastoral assistant on June 25, 2017.
Barbara, who has been registered blind since she was nine years old, was commissioned as a Deaconess in September 1986 in Dundee. She has worked in Christian Education and hospital chaplaincy as well as pastoral care, and been member of several committees at both local and national church level. She was President of the Diaconate Council from 2007-2010.

The minister of New Laigh, the Rev David Cameron, said in his address: “In your diaconate ministry you have borne both the name of Jesus and also his spirit.”
Barbara is pictured with her husband, the Rev John Urquhart, children Eileigh and John, and David Cameron.

Barbara Urquhart DCS with family, and Rev David Caermon

Deaconess Cecelia Williams (Philippines)

Ceceilia with the name badges for the Chicago Assembly

Deaconess Cecelia Williams, from the Philippines, is heading to Chicago for the Assembly. She is one of many delegates from the Philippines, which has 4 diaconal associations who are members of DIAKONIA World Federation. 

Rev Mandy Herriman at DIAKONIA Assembly

Rev Mandy Herriman is an Anglican priest in Australia, in the Diocese of Perth. She is President of the Australian Anglican Diaconal Association. She'll be at the Chicago Assembly.

Rev Mandy Herriman

Mandy is also a music teacher - full orchestra, bands, choirs and chamber groups, community music making and instrumental music as well.

The DIAKONIA Executive - look for them in their blue scarves

You'll see the DIAKONIA World Executive at the Chicago Assembly wearing blue scarves.
Come and say hi!

The 2013-17 DIAKONIA World Executive

Meresiana - on her way to Chicago

Wonderful that Meresiana is on her way from Fiji to Chicago. See you there!!

Sr Ulrike and Sr Traude

Here are two hard-working people - Sr Ulrike Kellner who retires from DIAKONIA Executive at the DIAKONIA Assembly, and Sr Traude Leitenberger. Ulrike retires after 16 years on the Executive, serving as DIAKONIA Secretary for 12 years, and a further 4 years as a representative from the DRAE Region. What a treasure! Traude was appointed to the role of DIAKONIA Secretary in 2014, serving with enthusiasm and diligence. So grateful to both Ulrike and Traude.

Sr Ulrike and Sr Traude

There's a hard working team behind the DIAKONIA Assembly preparations - if you see any of them around please do say hi. This list is not inclusive but features just a few who need special mention.

Home Missioner Scott Vickery

The SNL team (Scott, Noreen, Lisa)

Sister Noreen Stevens

Deaconess Lisa Polito

Jan Cherry - music and liturgy and delegates' handbooks

Diane Marten - local logistics and task groups 

Johnna Georgia - DIAKONIA Registrar

Deaconess Dawn Riske, Music Ministry

DOTAC Central Committee at World DIAKONIA Assembly

Do say hi to any of these people you might see around the Assembly - these are members of the DOTAC Central Committee (DIAKONIA of the Americas and the Caribbean)

BACK ROW from left:
The Ven. John Struthers, Archdeacon, Association of Anglican Deacons in Canada
Deaconess Arlete Prochnow, Evangelical Church in Brazil (Igreja Evangélica de Confissão Luterano no Brasil)
Rev. Sharilynn Upsdell, Diaconal Minister, Diakonia of the United Church of Canada
Rev Ted Dodd, Diaconal Minister, Diakonia of the United Church of Canada
Sister Mary Arie, Deaconess Community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Home Missioner Scott Vickery, Offices of Deaconesses, Home Missioners and Home Missionaries, The United Methodist Church
Sister Noreen Stevens, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA
Deaconess Lisa Polito, DOTAC President, Lutheran Deaconess Association

FRONT ROW from left:
Rev Judy Whaley, Diaconal Minister, Diaconal Ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Rev. Victoria Rebeck, Deacons and Diaconal Ministers, Division of Ordained Ministry, The United Methodist Church
Jan Cherry, Diaconal Minister, Diaconal Ministers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
The Ven. Pamela Nesbit, Archdeacon, Association for Episcopal Deacons, The Episcopal Church
Rev. Ann Blane, Order of Diaconal Ministries, Presbyterian Church in America
Rev. Claudette Campbell, The Wesley Diaconal Community of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas

The DIAKONIA World Executive begins to arrive for their last full meeting

Rev Ann Wren is the first to arrive. Great pic with Deaconess Lisa Polito. Looking forward to catching up with the Executive!!

Ann Wren and Lisa Polito

Countdown to DIAKONIA World Assembly - introducing Church of Scotland attendees

Dorothy Getliffe DCS

Two diaconate ministers from the Church of Scotland will be attending the World DIAKONIA Assembly - Jane Martin DCS and Dorothy Getliffe DCS.

Jane Martin DCS

Jane has previously been a member of the DIAKONIA Executive Committee and a treasure for Deacons in the Church of Scotland. 

Dorothy is currently a diaconal minister at St Enoch's Hogganfield Church in Glasgow.

Say hi and introduce yourself to them if you see them at the DIAKONIA World Assembly. 

Countdown to DIAKONIA World Assembly - introducing New Zealand delegates

In 2009, Shirley-Joy Barrow, a Deacon from the Methodist Church in New Zealand, attended the DIAKONIA World Assembly in Atlanta. In 2013 (Berlin), there were no attendees from New Zealand. It is wonderful that in 2017 in Chicago there will be three people from New Zealand, representing the Anglican and Methodist Churches (the association is known as DANZA). It will be the first time they participate in a DIAKONIA World Assembly, so if you see them at Assembly, please say hi!!
They are (below, from left)
Rev Deacon Maureen Ellis (Anglican Church, Wellington, NZ)
Deacon Megan Alley (Methodist Church, Kaurihohore -Kamo/Whangarei, NZ)
Rev Anne Russell-Brightey (Anglican Church, Christchurch, NZ)

Maureen Ellis, Megan Alley and Anne Russell-Brighty

countdown to DIAKONIA World Assembly - introducing Regional Presidents

The countdown is on to the DIAKONIA World Assembly in Chicago, and so the next few posts will introduce you to some of the delegates who will be there. It's a good way to begin to make connections, even before the Assembly starts, so when you're there you can give a nodding acknowledgment of people you recognise or better still initiate a conversation with them.

Here are the three Regional Presidents:

DOTAC (DIAKONIA of the Americas and Caribbean)
Deaconess Lisa Polito is the DOTAC Regional President. She was consecrated in 1990, and has served as a chaplain with people with developmental disabilities. Since 2001, Lisa has been at the Lutheran Deaconess Association office in Valparaiso University. Lisa concludes her term as DOTAC President at this year's Assembly.

Deaconess Lisa Polito

DRAE (DIAKONIA Region of Africa and Europe)
Marianne Uri Øverland is the Regional President of DRAE. She is a Deacon in the Church of Norway and works as the director of a Church organisation (IKO) promoting Christian education and running a publishing house.

Marianne Uri Øverland

DAP (DIAKONIA of Asia and the Pacific)
Deaconess Emma Cantor has been Regional President, 2009-2017. She is a Deaconess in the United Methodist Church in the Philippines. She concludes her role as President of DAP at this year's DIAKONIA World Assembly.

Deaconess Emma Cantor

Five new Episcopal Deacons ordained

Bishop Smith invited all the deacons in attendance at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral to join the newly ordained deacons. Congratulations to the five new Deacons and blessings for your ministry. 

House of Compassion - New Zealand Anglicans Retreat School

This weekend I joined vocational Deacons in the Anglican Church in New Zealand for their annual Deacon school (photos here of Deacon school 2016). The venue is the House of Compassion just outside of Wellington in a large reserve.

The House of Compassion states its values in this way: 'Through our compassion, faith and integrity, we seek to bring dignity to the lives of the aged, the powerless and the poor', following the example of Jesus, and the legacy of Mother (Suzanne) Aubert, a Catholic nun.

'Jesus’ mission is our driving force. It gives life and shapes all that we are about in our service to the community. We place high value on every person being created by God. Everyone is unique and loved; every person having a basic right to life, respect and honour; the earth as our primary resource.

Ven Anne Russell-Brighty, Archdeacon for the Household of Deacons in the Diocese of Christchurch, is the co-ordinator. She has written and tutored the History of the Diaconate course for EITDS. Anne has also previously run a three year course for vocational deacons training in Christchurch. Anne has a background in community work and ministry to the elderly.

I met Anne after she visited Adelaide in October last year, and have enjoyed meeting other Anglican Deacons in New Zealand. (I read an article on theological insights into refugee policy, by Deacon Becky Heale). As well, some of the Methodist Deacons have been present for the first few days.

I have been asked to speak on the topic, 'The Story of Deacons worldwide and across denominations, DIAKONIA World Federation and DANZA.

Some of the Deacons of the Anglican and Methodist Churches

Climate change grows even more urgent for Pacific Islands

Climate justice grows ever more urgent for Pacific islands: A statement by the WCC Working Group on Climate Change (May 16, 2017)

WCC Working Group on Climate Change, May 2017

(The Deaconesses of the Methodist Church in Fiji are a member association of DIAKONIA)

For Pacific island nations, climate change is more than a political concern - it’s rapidly leading to extinction of peoples, lands and a way of life. In one of the biggest examples of environmental injustice in the world, the Pacific region is extremely vulnerable to climate change, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.

The effects of climate change have become an urgent part of everyday life for Pacific islanders, said Rev. Tafue Lusama, general secretary of the Tuvalu Christian Church. Tuvalu is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, about midway between Hawaii and Australia.

“We are already experiencing increased intensity of tropical cyclones, severe storm surges, coral bleaching, saltwater intrusions, coastal erosion, changing rain patterns, submersion of islands, and ocean acidification,” said Lusama, general secretary of the Tuvalu Christian Church. “This puts us in the Pacific at the brink of extinction. It challenges our very survival from the very basic sources and core of our existence.”

He voiced his concerns during a meeting of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Working Group on Climate Change, which is preparing its advocacy plan for the the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP 23) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Meeting from 8-10 May in Wuppertal, Germany, the working group decided to focus on the Pacific region.

“A crucial task is to ensure that the various mechanisms under the Paris Agreement such as ‘climate finance’ and ‘loss and damage’ really help Pacific islands to build climate-resilient and equitable societies,” said Athena Peralta, WCC programme executive for economic and ecological justice. “By scaling up financial contributions and technology transfer, affluent and industrialised segments of society that are mainly responsible for climate change can begin to recompense their ecological debt to Pacific peoples.”

What can churches and individuals do?
“Faith communities can contribute to the discussion on ‘loss and damage’ which seeks to address irreversible loss and destruction due to climate change of homes, lands and Indigenous ways of living. Often these have deep spiritual, non-material value. The loss or destruction of your homeland, for instance, cannot be measured,” said Rev Henrik Grape, coordinator of the working group. “How do we as churches play a healing role and let the voices of the affected be heard? How can our faith communities become cradles of a hope that grows?”

Interfaith engagement remains an important strategy for COP 23, he added. “Together faith communities have to be relentless in reminding the world that the climate crisis is a moral issue. We need to continue to deepen multi-faith relations not least in a context such as Fiji, with at least 30 percent of the population identifying as Hindu,” said Grape.

Composed of theologians, experts and activists from around the world, the WCC Working Group on Climate Change discussed challenges to climate action – such as the lack of concern for just policies by the Trump administration in the USA, the weakening of climate justice laws as the UK leaves the European Union, and the urgent need to support a rapid transition to a decarbonised economy, particularly in the USA but also around the world.

During the meeting, the working group also tackled strategies to promote climate justice in the current political and economic environment following the landmark Paris Agreement drawn up in 2015.

The Paris Agreement, which came into force in November last year, aims to keep global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Building on COP 22 held in Marrakech, Morocco, COP 23 is expected to further lay the groundwork for the implementation of the Paris climate accord.

Through an exposure programme organized by the United Evangelical Mission, the WCC Working Group on Climate Change learned about various initiatives of local churches and governments in Wuppertal to contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions as well as plans for mobilization by broader faith and civil society groups during COP 23, which is slated to take place in Bonn, Germany from 6-17 November.

Though Bonn is the venue for COP 23, it is for the first time being presided over by a developing, small island state in the Pacific – Fiji.

Sister Inga Bengtzon - a remarkable life

Sister Inga Bengtzon (20 July 1920 to 6 May 2017) has passed away at the age of 97 in Uppsala, Sweden. Sister Inga was President of DIAKONIA for some years. Her funeral will be Friday 2nd June in Samariterhemmets Church, Uppsala.

We give thanks for her life that was dedicated to faithful service, and for her inspiring leadership and wisdom. 

Sister Inga served for 65 years as a Deaconess. She was a visionary. Here's one of her statements written in 1984 when she was Director of the Diaconia Foundation Samariterhemmet, addressing a Nordic diaconal meeting about the prophetic dimension of diaconia: 

"Diaconia is foundational for the church, she argues. It “is and shall, and must be prophetic, fore- sighted, predictive, energetic, fearless – salt and light to the world.” Referring to the General Assembly of the WCC in 1983, she argues for the inclusion of a self-critical dimension of the diaconal role that challenges the church’s “locked, frozen, static and self-centred structures” in order to turn them into “workable, living instrument for the church’s task of healing, reconstruction and sharing with each other.” Diaconia cannot be limited to institutional forms. It must “break through the already established structures and demarcations in the institutional church” in order to act, heal, and build in the world. Prophecy is a message that must be advanced, regardless of cost, Bengtzon argues. But the prophet’s message is inconvenient, because it “exposes and opposes all situations and circumstances where people are violated against or violate God’s creation.” This is what it means to be “salt” in the world (Bengtzon, 1984, translated from Swedish).

Sister Inga published books and contributed articles to many journals. She served on many committees exploring diakonia, and engaged in many ecumenical dialogues on diakonia and the church. 

Her publications include: 

Bengtzon, Inga M. Diakonia. II The Organisation of DIAKONIA, in: Dictionary of the Ecumenical Movement, Geneva/Grand Rapids 1991. 

Bengtzon, Inga. “Diakonia Worldwide: Does the Church Need a Diaconate?” St Colm's Public Lecture, Edinburgh, 1988.

Bengtzon, Inga M. “The Churches and the Diaconate in the Ecumenical and International Perspective”, 1985. 

Association for Episcopal Deacons (USA) - ordinations

Congratulations to the five Deacons ordained in May in the Diocese of New York in May, 2017.

Chisara Alimole

Eugene Bourquin

Shiane Lee

Richard Limato

Jacqueline Sanchez-Shabazz

(Photo credit: Denise LaVetty)

Global morning prayers at DIAKONIA World Assembly

A new initiative at the 2017 DIAKONIA World Assembly is 'global morning prayers', led in language by delegates from a different country each morning. The idea is that other languages will be used in prayer, other than the main languages of the Assembly (English and German).

On the first morning (June 29), Oberin Rollaug Waaler (Bergen Diakonissehjem) will lead in Norwegian. On Friday June 30, the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confessions of Brazil will lead in Portugese. On Saturday, July 1st, the Order of Deaconesses of the Methodist Church in Nigeria will lead. On the Monday, July 3rd, Sr Ristua Sirait (IKADIWA, Indonesia) will lead the prayers. On Tuesday July 4th, the Fiji delegates will lead the morning prayer. This will be one (of many) highlights during the World Assembly.

What a marvellous way to catch a vision of the diversity within the DIAKONIA World Federation and the very many languages and cultures represented.

(Thanks to Jan Cherry who has been coordinating this part of the program, and to those who have agreed to give leadership to this new initiative in the program)

Fiji Deaconesses

Congratulations to Terrtu Pohjolainen!

At the recent meeting of the Kaiserswerther Generalkonferenz (KGK) held in Berlin, Terrtu (from Finland) was elected as the new President. (Congratulations, Terttu!) She brings a variety of diaconal experiences to the office of President, including her work with the Diakonian Institute of Lahti and as Managing Director of Kaarisilta, a facility for children and young people with disabilities. She has previously served as vice-president of the KGK. Terrtu is pictured below with other office bearers - Oberin Rollaug Waaler (from Norway) and Sr. Diakonisse Anke Frickmann. Together, they will provide leadership for the Presidium of the KGK. (Congratulations also to Anke and to Rollaug).

The worldwide Kaiserswerther General Conference is a network of more than 100 diaconal institutions, diaconal houses, diaconic communities and deaconesses from Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa.

At its recent meeting, planning took place for the 43rd General Conference in Bethel in 2018 as well as the planned tour to New York City in autumn 2017. It is anticipated this tour will provide insights into the American health care system by visiting various hospitals, public nursing homes, training centres and historical places of health care, including visits to the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Centre, the NYU Lutheran Medical Centre and the Blythedal Children's Hospital founded in 1883 by a Norwegian deaconess.

The Presidium of the KGK is made up of: Diakonisse Terttu Pohjolainen (FI), Oberin Rollaug Waaler (NO), Director Marek Londzin (PL), Sister Melinda L. Lando (North America), Stiftspropst Jürgen Stobbe (D-Nord), Ltd. Sister Diakonisse Anke Frickmann (D-West), Ltd. Sr. Roswitha Buff (D-South), Personnel Committee / Dr. Gundula Grießmann (D-Ost), authorized officer Karsten Stüber (D-Ost), Theol. Executive Board Rev. Klaus Riesenbeck (D-West), Rector Pastor Annette Goll (F), Superior Sr. Merete Pelle Poulsen (DK), Vice- Ltd. Sr. Vilma Linda Reinar (BR), Pastor Christa Schrauf (AT), KR Dr. Christine-Rutmüller (Secretary General).

DRAE Executive meeting, Munich

In February 2017, the DRAE Executive met in Munich. DIAKONIA Region Africa Europe is one of three regional groups of the DIAKONIA World Federation of Diaconal Associations and Diaconal Communities.
Although only formerly constituted in 1994, DRAE dates back to the late 1940's when diaconal groups came together to address issues and needs arising from the aftermath of World War II.
Today, DRAE brings together diaconal groups from 20 countries across Africa and Europe and represents over 16,000 people engaged in the mission of the Gospel.

DRAE Executive (and Diane Kaufmann, DIAKONIA website manager)