Going My Way?
Discerning the Episcopal Diaconate
Friday morning, I open my email and the letter I’d been anxiously waiting to receive was waiting for me in my inbox. It was my acceptance into the next step of the discernment process towards ordination for office of vocational deacon. It was huge relief. It meant that the psychological evaluation I completed didn’t spark any red flags. It meant that other people whose opinion counts believe in me, and the bishop didn’t find me insufferable.
As an only child, I am accustomed to an imaginary audience to work through the inner dialogue scrolling through my head. Will you be my imaginary friend in this journey? I would really love that. If you are so inclined, I am happy to be on your prayer list.
I really appreciate you taking a few minutes to read this entry. Are you also on a spiritual path? It’s my pleasure to meet another sojourner on the path. It can feel lonely sometimes and it’s good to have a companion in the Way.
These entries will be weekly diaries of my questions. It will be sharing the absolute joy I possess in serving Christ. Raised Southern Baptist, I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 2023. You know how some people who were adopted always had this sinking suspicion that there was something that set them apart from everyone else. When I gathered the nerve to go to my first Episcopal service, I experienced peace much like I had when I made a public profession of faith at age 11. Much of my Christian life was searching for an elusive key that would unlock the door to an authentic faith. Becoming Episcopalian gave me the language I’d been searching for. These are my people. I wanted to find greater service to God and the diaconate has offered a path for that. I am excited to see where that road will lead. I think in the last couple of years, I have been more willing to surrender to the will of God and be ok to just take the next step not knowing where or if another step will appear.
