Servant’s Heart — from the desk of a deacon
Anglican Deacons Canada in Partnership with Deacons of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada gathered to learn and celebrate diaconal ministry together June 13 – 16, 2024, at Sorrento Centre in British Columbia.
In attendance were 60 in-person delegates and several family members. There were also 10 participants joining via Zoom.
Delegates were welcomed with an informal gathering before the beginning of the conference. We were honoured to have Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada with us for part of the conference. Deacon Michael Shapcott, Executive Director of Sorrento Centre welcomed us, as did BC and Yukon Provincial Archbishop Lynne McNaughton in a virtual presentation. Kenton Thomas, a “Knowledge Keeper” (Knowledge Teacher) and member of the Secwépemc Nation welcomed us to their traditional land. His gift of storytelling skillfully encircled the theme of the conference. Evening Prayer led by National Indigenous Archbishop Chris Harper completed our first evening together.
Keynote speaker, Deacon Christian Harvey, a deacon at St John the Evangelist, Peterborough, spoke on Kingian* nonviolent principles and demonstrated what they look like in practice in the community. Non-violence for King seeks to attack forces of evil, not people doing evil. It accepts suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause to achieve its aims. Avoiding both internal violence of the spirit and external physical violence, the principle of nonviolence asserts that “the universe is on the side of justice” and that justice will eventually win. Conference participants enthusiastically embraced his real life, pragmatic examples of advocacy in challenging community settings.
Theological reflection in worship, homilies and Dr. Sylvia Keesmaat‘s reflections enriched the spirituality of the conference.
Anglican Deacons Canada consultant Canon Ian Alexander presented the latest iteration of the ADC Strategic Plan. Dean Emerita, Ansley Tucker and committee presented their work on the draft proposed statement on the Diaconate and Best Practices. Engaged and energetic discussion in small groups ensued. Best Practices topic areas included: Discernment, Deployment, Liturgy and Licensing & Letters of Permission & Compensation & Transitions. All documents are currently being revised based on the feedback from attendees. It is hoped the statement on the diaconate and best practices document will be presented at the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod 2025.
Saturday afternoon we had a panel discussion. The panel included Bishop Susan Johnson, Lutheran National Bishop, Lutheran Bishop Kathy Martin, Ted Dodd, Ecumenical Observer, UCC (United Church of Canada) Deacon and President of DOTAC, (Diakonia of the Americans and Caribbean), Deacon Christian Harvey and National Indigenous Archbishop Chris Harper.
Questions for the panel:
Thinking back to the first keynote address and the diagram of the Agent of Order, the Agent of Vision and the Powerless, where do you find yourself? Where do you feel called to create “disorder”?
“Given the current state of the institutional church and its structures, what would you like to change?”
The conversation was honest and challenging. One panelist said the institutional church is bound by reactions of fear and not faith. Other panelists emphasized the opportunities, particularly in a community where the need for diakonia is seen, understood and supported.
After a banquet on Saturday evening, Deacon Maylanne Maybee led us in a moving memorial for all deacons who died since our last gathering three years ago.
There are currently 427 Anglican Deacons across Canada. 362 are active in ministry and 65 are retired.
The majority of participants were quite pleased with the experience of the conference including worship, preaching, music and community building.
- * These six principles were outlined by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In his famous essay, “A Pilgrimage To Nonviolence.” They serve as the foundation of the teachings of Kingian nonviolence conflict reconciliation and are often referred to as the “will” of nonviolence.
