Stephanie Townes Ordination

As of Tuesday, I have been ordained to the diaconate for one whole week! It has been such a joy to be a deacon so far. Words fail me when I try to describe the awe I felt when Bp. White laid her hands on my head and called down the Holy Spirit to make me a deacon in the Church. Then, when I turned around and saw so many faces from Calvary shining back at me, filling Centennial Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral to the brim, I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to you all at Calvary for all your love and support to get me to this point. I know so many of you have been praying for me, and so many more who have supported me in other ways. Thank you to those who were part of my discernment process, and to those who have trusted me with the spiritual care of your youth over this past year.

A hearty thank you also to everyone who attended in person! I know some of you braved flooded streets to get to the cathedral! Thank you also to all of you who watched online (you can watch it here if you missed it). Thank you to those who graciously participated in the service as Eucharistic ministers, oblation bearers, presenters, photographer, and an especially big thanks to Bp. Nedi for her amazing sermon about Maria Skobtsova. Maria is certainly someone I will look to emulate as a deacon!

What exactly does a deacon do? According to the Catechism at the back of the Book of Common Prayer, the deacon has two main roles: 1) to assist priests and bishops in services and 2) “to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need.” During Sunday services at Calvary, you’ll find me in my deacon role proclaiming the Gospel, setting the table for Holy Eucharist, and announcing the dismissal. The deacon’s role in saying the dismissal is symbolic of the deacon’s role connecting the Church to those out in the world. I have often heard it said that the deacon is like a bridge, connecting the Church with those in need and vice versa. Deacons encourage the congregation to go forth into the world, to notice those around them in need, and to stand with and help those who are hurting out in the world.

Generally, those who are called onto the priesthood spend about six months as a deacon before they are ordained as a priest, and God willing and the people consenting, that will be my path forward as well. However, priests are encouraged to remember this formative time as a deacon where they are a “servant to those in need,” allowing this time to inform their priestly ministry. I look forward to serving as deacon at Calvary, especially because Calvary is already so good at noticing our neighbors and serving those in need. I cannot wait to continue to walk alongside you all as we go out into the world together, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit, and living out Calvary’s mission to be “confident in God’s love for us and fearless in our love for all.”

(more pictures of the ordination can be found here)

The Rev. Stephanie Townes
Curate