Following the celebration of the 100 graduates of the Iona School for Ministry, 10 new deacons were ordained at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, Saturday, June 22.
After the sermon given by the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, bishop of West Texas, each candidate to the diaconate answered a series of questions posed by Bishop Andy Doyle during what is known as The Examination. They were asked to follow Christ and model their lives on Scripture, “to interpret to the Church, the needs, concerns and hopes of the world.” As each knelt in front of the bishop, he placed his hands on their heads and recited the Prayer of Consecration.
The new deacons joining the diocese of Texas are: Michael Brady, William Bullard, James Enelow, James Harrington, Melva Love, Rhonda Rogers, Elizabeth Woodson, Hannah Pommersheim, Minerva Camarena Skeith and Cameron Spoor.
Many of the newly ordained deacons have served their churches and communities by assisting church plants, starting missional communities and serving as vestry members for many years while having another profession.
Jim Harrington, who dedicated 46 years to his law profession, found a call to serve the Episcopal Church.
“Becoming a deacon is a stop on the way to becoming a priest. It is an office of service to the community, emphasizing that, even as a priest, we carry with us the work of serving the people, to bring about justice in God’s world. This is a continuation of my work I did as a civil rights lawyer,” said Harrington.
Harrington will advance his ministry by working with Project Santiago, a missional community to bring God’s justice to the east Austin Hispanic community and assisting refugees and immigrants.
Another deacon who accepted God’s call to ministry is Minerva Camarena Skeith, the first Latina raised up in the Diocese of Texas and a member of St. David’s, Austin.
Skeith will join St. Michael’s, Austin, August 4 as curate.
“As a deacon, I look forward to learning the gifts and the concerns of the members of St. Michael’s and of the community surrounding the church. It will be interesting to discover God’s call at St. Michael’s as a congregation, and for each of us as followers of Christ,” said Skeith.
Skeith has extensive leadership and congregational experience. She is currently a Master of Divinity student at the Seminary of the Southwest.
The ordination service concluded as each of the new deacons were vested by family members and received a Bible as a sign of their authority to proclaim God’s word.
If you are interested in learning more about the ordination process, click here.
2019 Ordinands’ Placements
Michael Brady – deacon-in-charge at St. Augustine of Hippo, Galveston
William Bullard – deacon-in-charge at St. John’s, Palacios
James Enelow – permanent deacon, St. George’s, Austin
James Harrington – transitional deacon, Proyecto Santiago Mission at St. James’, Austin
Charlotte Love – permanent deacon, St Phillip’s, Hearne & St. Thomas, College Station
Hannah Pommersheim – Research Associate for the Sewanee Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation at The University of the South
Rhonda Rogers – deacon-in-charge at St. Francis of Assisi, Prairie View
Minerva Camarena Skeith – transitional deacon & curate at St. Michael’s, Austin
Cameron Spoor – transitional deacon & curate at St. David’s, Austin
Beth Woodson – deacon-in-charge at St. Martin’s, Copperas Cove
