Diaconal Body Expands Role
Episcopal News Service. December 5, 1985 [85246]
BOSTON (DPS, Dec. 5) -- Anglican deacons and their friends in the United States and Canada will soon have a new organization with a new name -- the North American Association for the Diaconate.
At its meeting last May, the board of trustees of the National Center for the Diaconate enacted a new constitution, to go into effect Jan. 1, 1986. One of the changes will be the new name. The international nature of the North American Association for the Diaconate -- or NAAD -- is designed to include the Anglican Church of Canada, where there is growing appreciation of the ministry of deacons.
The National Center for the Diaconate is the successor to the Central House for Deaconesses, founded in Chicago in 1953 to train women as deaconesses. In 1974, the name was changed and the purpose was expanded to include the promotion and support of men and women deacons in the Episcopal Church.
In its early years, the Center was located in Evanston, Ill., and staffed by Deacon Frances Zielinski. In 1979, the Center contracted with Enablement Inc. of Boston to provide executive services. Under this arrangement, the Rev. James L. Lowery, Jr. plans programs, collects information and provides a link with dioceses and other places. Previously, he was assisted by an administrator, but in October, her part-time job was taken over by volunteer help from members of the board of trustees.
The Center has held three major conferences on the diaconate -- 1979, 1981, 1984 -- all at Notre Dame University. It publishes a quarterly newsletter, "Diakoneo," provides resource materials and furnishes consultants and workshop leaders for diocesan and provincial conferences in the United States and Canada. The Rev. John Docker, staff officer for the Council for the Development of Ministry at the Episcopal Church Center, said that the Association serves an invaluable function through its research and conference leadership. "We have a very good relationship with the Association and rely on it to take a lead in this field," he said.
Membership will be held by dioceses, individuals (including deacons) and organizations. Every two years, at a conference on the diaconate, members will elect trustees and conduct other business. (Presently the board elects itself.) The first such conference will be held in the spring or early summer of 1987, in a host diocese still to be chosen.
The Association will continue to provide services from a central office. The office in Boston, familiar to most deacons as the National Center for the Diaconate, will be renamed the Center for the Diaconate.
Lowery will continue to provide executive services. Board member Mona Hull will run the Center office in Boston. Deacon Ormonde Plater of New Orleans, La., will edit the newsletter and keep the mailing list on computer. He is also president, until his successor is chosen by the board next May.