July 2002 In This Issue: Our Big Summer Repair Project The Circle and the Spiral: Symbols of the Spiritual Journey Another Ordination? Confirmation Reflections Three Great Years as Director of Children's Education St. A's Goes to the Mountains (Again!) Wow! What else can I say? Kate Lewis How Do I Listen to God? My Confirmation Reflection on L.A. Works Day

by Pat Hendrickson

What? Another ordination to the diaconate! Yes, it is true, but there is a difference. I have spent the past three years in Berkeley studying at The School for Deacons and The Church Divinity School of the Pacific to prepare myself for ordination to the vocational diaconate. Unlike the transitional diaconate, it is not a stopping off place on the way to priesthood. This is the ordained ministry to which I have been called: the deacon, standing in the doorway, bringing the needs of the community to the church.

It is hard to believe that more than four years have passed since I sat in Hartshorn's office and uttered those scary words, "I think I have a call." Or, put another way, "There is an elephant in my living room that won't go away." I had been attending St. Augustine's for a only a short while, and yet you all embraced and sustained me as I entered into a year of further discernment with the support of Gretchen Haight, Richard Daum, Judith Lyons, and Cynthia Harvey. Together we explored what it meant to be a deacon in the church and how each of us is called to use our gifts. They encouraged me to be open to the Holy Spirit working in my life, advice that proved very fruitful during my time in school.

These past three years in Berkeley have been a gift that has allowed me to grow in my understanding of the role of the deacon in the church. I have come to understand the diaconal role as being one of mobilizing others rather than doing it all myself. I have also come to understand the linkage between the liturgical role of the deacon and the deacon as servant minister of the church. I will write more about this linkage in next months Ebb & Flow.

I will be spending the summer in Thousand Oaks working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. In the meantime, put September 8th on your calendars and get ready for another celebration. I will be splitting my Sundays between St. Augustine's and St. Patrick's in Thousand Oaks and I am looking forward to getting reacquainted with all of you.

Copyright © 2002 St. Augustine by-the-Sea