Diaconate Formation Directors Meet in New Orleans
Episcopal News Service. February 13, 1997 [97-1692H]
(ENS) Diocesan directors of diaconate formation in the Episcopal Church gathered for their first conference recently. In a vision statement developed as a guide for the formation of deacons, the directors said, "A deacon is a baptized person called and empowered by God and the Christian community to be an icon illuminating Christ as a code of servanthood for all people. The role of the deacon in liturgy mirrors the role of the deacon in church and world." Among other activities, the directors discussed the possible certification of formation programs and instructors. A committee will meet in May to draft guidelines for the diaconate in the Episcopal Church. The conference was sponsored by the North American Association for the Diaconate and was chaired by Deacon Susanne Watson of the Diocese of Iowa.