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Discerning a Call to the Diaconate

Did you ever think you might be called to “a special ministry of servanthood directly under your bishop,” to serve “all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely,” to “show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself”?

These are the words of the Book of Common Prayer describing the ministry of a deacon!

DISCERNING A CALL

Deacon Information Session
On January 24, 7-8:30 p.m., join diocesan deacons and Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson to learn more about the diaconate and discerning a call before the nomination deadline on February 15. Register.

Have you had stirrings that you might be led in this direction? Here are some steps you can take to begin exploring your vocation:

Pray, alone or with others, holding up your life to God

Learn more about deacons and ordained ministry, from the prayer book and resources that include those on the diocesan website and that of the Association for Episcopal Deacons

Talk to your parish priest, others in your congregation, and deacons in this diocese If this leads you to explore further, consider the ordination process, which helps you and the church discern the best role for you in its ministry.

The ordination process consists of:

Discernment

  • Meeting with your priest and a parish discernment committee
  • Meeting with the Commission on Ministry of the diocese, and the Bishop
  • Internship in another parish

Formation (for those admitted to postulancy by the Bishop)

  • Preparation in scripture, theology and church history (in consultation with the diocesan examining chaplains)
  • A one-year formation program in the context of clinical pastoral education, designed to serve those who may have ongoing secular employment and family responsibilities

Ordination (after approval by the Bishop and Standing Committee)

Assignment to a congregation and a servant ministry in the world

Still exploring? There are many resources available:

Deacon's Manual

Association for Episcopal Deacons

Your parish clergy and deacons throughout the diocese:

Archdeacon Jan Lamb | 919-824-2803

Deacon Beth McKee-Huger, Northwest Regional Deacon | 336-202-4411

The Rev. Nancy Vaders, Co-chair of the COM-D

The Rev. Caleb Tabor, Co-chair of the COM-D

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Contact

The Rev. Caleb Tabor
Young Adult Missioner, Episcopal Campus Ministry-Raleigh, and Co-chair, COM-D
The Rev. Nancy Vaders
Co-chair of the COM-D

The Rev. Caleb Tabor

Young Adult Missioner, Episcopal Campus Ministry-Raleigh, and Co-chair, COM-D

The Rev. Tabor previously served as vicar of St. Cyprian’s, a bilingual congregation in Oxford, North Carolina. He was educated at Elon University, Emory University and Virginia Theological Seminary. Originally from Efland, North Carolina, he has settled down close to home in Durham, where he lives with his husband. Theology, history, coffee, creative writing and good drag shows are just a few of the things keep him occupied in his spare and not-so-spare time.

The Rev. Nancy Vaders

Co-chair of the COM-D

Resources

The Call to the Diaconate

Ordination Process

Guidelines for PDCs

Guidelines for Vestries

Fee Schedule

Required Forms

Short Summary of Ordination

Deacons' Manual

Additional Discernment Resources

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