Message from the President

In October an Ecumenical Deacons conference was held in Brisbane. I just wanted to commend the Deacons of Brisbane for their insight in convening this conference. It was very successful and gave a strength and depth to the Diaconate that now needs to be followed up and built on. Everyone at the conference was encouraged by the presence of the Primate, Dr Phillip Aspinall and we thank him for giving us his time and attention at the conference. It was a great encouragement.

This year, for the first time, General Synod was held in Canberra. This gave the deacons of Canberra and Goulburn a wonderful opportunity to ‘advertise’ the diaconate. They were given a prime location in the venue foyer where a display was mounted and the majority of the time it was maned by one of the deacons of the diocese, readily available to talk to any enquirers about the diaconate.

This was very successful and there was a considerable amount of interest shown in the display and the ministries of the deacons. The booklet published by the Household of deacons in the Canberra Goulburn Diocese, along with the flyer on the diaconate, were a great success and I several hundred were handed out.

It was encouraging to see enquiries from diocese where the diaconate as yet, hasn’t commenced and to be able to help those who were struggling. There was exposure and conversation with bishops from all over Australia. Each day, at the commencement of synod business a deacon led the official party in and out of the synod. There was no doubt that Deacons were visible and the diaconate talked about amongst those on the floor of General Synod.

It concerns me to hear that some diaconates around Australia are declining or struggling while others are progressing.

Can I encourage every one of you to make your voice known. Be prominent in what you are doing. Make your work and ministries known. One of the most effective ways of doing this, and have others understand it better, is to ‘keep it upfront’ every opportunity you have. When you have a gathering or an event see that it gets into your local diocesan newspaper. When you do a special service or ministry or do something different, then write that up in your local diocesan paper along with photos. Expose the diaconate every chance you can. Enquire about a display at your synod and give it some exposure there as well. There is still considerable misunderstanding about the diaconate and we are the ones that can change that through being visible in our ministries. It’s vitally important to remember that the diaconate is a ‘full and equal order,’ a distinctive ministry in its own right.

I also encourage you to take your rightful places in your diocese. Be involved in diocesan committees and meetings. Look at being on the vocations discernment panel and be involved with the formation of deacons, even as an encourager and prayer for candidates. Gather regularly with each other and share your ministries and encourage and support one another.

For your own personal growth continue to keep up with the books being produced about the diaconate. There is an extensive bibliography available. Rosalind Brown’s book,’ Being a Deacon Today’ is one being talked about at the moment.

The National Deacons Conference is being held in Melbourne in 2008. It would be great to have as many of us there as possible. Can I encourage you to make it a goal for next year.

For those who do not receive the reflections that I write twice a week, but would like to receive them, please contact me and I will add you to the distribution list. It’s another way of connecting and knowing you are being thought of. My email address is vennie@home.netspeed.com.au

Welcome to the ‘new deacons’ who have been ordained this year. May you all be richly blessed in your ministries and to us all, a blessed and Holy Christmas followed by an opportunity to have some rest before the New Year takes on its challenges.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ
Anne

Archdeacon Anne Ranse
President AADA
December 2007

 

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