|
What Do I Do? by The Rev. Pat Hendrickson What do you do when you are not being a deacon? What percentage of your time do you spend as a deacon? These are questions that all deacons are frequently asked. The answer is that I am always a deacon, just as a priest is always a priest. The misconception comes from the fact that most deacons are non-stipendiary and therefore hold jobs outside of the church. Those that do work within or for the Church are often chaplains or directors of feeding and/or housing programs. As one of my colleagues explained it, "I am not a police officer who happens to be a deacon; I am a deacon who happens to be a police officer." Another frequently asked question is, "Why did you stop at being a deacon?" "Why didn't you go all the way?" The answer is, "I have gone all the way!" Much of the confusion stems from the ordaining of priests in formation as transitional deacons. Unfortunately this fosters the idea that ministry is hierarchical as you ascend from laity all the way to Bishop. The diaconate is a full and equal order with a two-fold role in the Church. The diaconate serves as a bridge between the church and the community, bringing the needs of those least embraced by society to the church and the resources of the church to those communities. Deacons remind the Church that Jesus Christ came to serve and that we are all called to servant ministry at our baptism. So what do I do when I am not at St. A's? Presently I work as a contract instructor for the Conejo Recreation and Park District in the Therapeutic unit. We provide a wide variety of sports and recreation programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. My own particular area of expertise is Special Olympics. I coach Special Olympics Bowling, Track and Field and Softball. In addition I supervise a group of teens with developmental disabilities at the local Teen Club, help with an art class and lead recreational outings on Friday and Saturday evenings. My job includes recruiting and training volunteers as well as coaching athletes. As part of Ventura County Special Olympics, we have athletes training year round in 10 different sports. Most are training in at least two at any given time of year. I especially enjoy bowling. I am certified as an instructor by the WIBC, YABA, and Special Olympics. On Saturday, I run a unified bowling program; meaning that we have disabled and non disabled bowling together on a regular league. There are presently 60 bowlers in the program and we are growing. On Friday afternoons, I help with the younger and lower functioning athletes, teaching the basics, often using adaptive devices to help them succeed and have a good time. My other non-stipendiary work includes leading recreational activities at the local United Cerebral Palsy homes every other Wednesday evening, and spending a couple of hours on Sunday afternoons in group discussions, guided meditation, or one to one pastoring. I hold services and provide communion on special days like Christmas and Easter. Recently the local Little League Board of Directors asked me to return and take over directorship of the Challenger League, (Little League for children with any kind of disability), and I have agreed to do so even though finding the time will be a challenge in itself. Here at St. Augustine's, I fulfill my role of assisting Hartshorn and Joyce "in public worship and in the ministration of God's Word and Sacraments" by setting the table at the Eucharist and assisting with the distribution of the bread and wine. For the present, I have taken on Acolyte training and the liturgical Rota. Another very important aspect of a deacon's call is to find, encourage and raise up lay leadership within the parish. With that in mind, my goal is to solicit help and eventually turn these ministries over to others. Please feel free to come and speak with me about the diaconate at any time. I love being at St. Augustine's and having the opportunity to be a part of the energy that is present at this time. It truly is a place where one can come and get one's batteries charged in order that we may go out and change the world.
Copyright © 2004 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
|
