The Diaconate is a ministry of people committed to service in and for the church, a ministry of Word and service that has its roots in the New Testament, and has a history of development and usage in the Church catholic from its beginnings to the present time. It has had a variety of definitions in times past and present, and has included a broad range of people, privileges, and responsibilities throughout its history.
They are first and foremost Christian people in their usual employment and life, and are trained and formed by additional study and prayer for a ministry to the Church and to the world on the Church’s behalf. While some may be working in and for the wider church, most serve in local congregations and the surrounding parish community. The actual tasks undertaken by members of the Diaconate will vary according to the gifts and skills of the individual Deacon, and the needs of the church and its surrounding community. For example: there are sick and shut-in people to be visited; people in need of helpful conversation as well as physical and spiritual assistance; children and adults to be nurtured and taught; the people of the community who are not members of the congregation to be served and evangelized; the homeless, hungry, addicted, isolated and imprisoned to be befriended and served; and so many among whom the worship of Almighty God ought to be extended. Deacons also serve in word and deed as advocates for those whose voices must be heard.
For the MNYS Diaconate, 2024 was an event filled time and one which continues to change and evolve every day. Re-tracing my time as member of the Synod Diaconate Council (SDC) which began in November of 2019, I hoped but never imagined the place we find ourselves occupying today. In order to describe that current place, it’s helpful to rehash a few things. At my very first meeting the co-chairs of the SDC announced their resignations, they were retiring. I was looking around the table, hey I’m new here, but nobody was expressing any interest or desire in taking over the helm. I left the meeting slightly disappointed and contemplating the thought, could I handle the position. I mean absolutely no disrespect to anyone in saying, to me the diaconate seemed to be a disconnected and widely scattered group of individuals with little oversight. I was now on light duty, post bi-lateral knee replacement surgery, and retiring from the FDNY within two years. I felt strangely excited; am I being called to something new? Lo and behold, in April of 2020 I was elected to be chair of the SDC. The only problem now, we were in shut down due to pandemic.
After the first few meetings, it looked to me as if the SDC existed to oversee the application and internship process for the diaconate, and not much more. I thought, this has to change. The diaconate and the SDC’s responsibility for it, has to be as much about its members as it is about gaining access to it. Coming from the firefighting world where our job was taking care of others, I began to look at the diaconate in the very same light. We are in the business of ministry to the world around us. In the firehouse, our primary goal was taking care of each other and ensuring we were all ready and healthy enough to take on the job ahead. Taking care of those who take care of others, became my focus as chair of the diaconate. In 2023, my official “Call” was now to the MNYS. By the end of 2023, I was spending 1-2 days in the office and in 2024, the Bishop asked if I would be a part of his Staff. The work of tending to the Synod Diaconate, has indeed become a full-time job. I’m not complaining at all, in fact I’m loving the work of caring for the diaconate. I’ll confess to speaking egotistically but, in fact, there are others working behind the scenes now to make things happen. Because of the combined efforts of everyone involved, I truly believe the Synod Diaconate is in a much better place today.
A Social Committee was appointed, and finally in 2024 it became fully operational. By intentionally creating opportunities to bring our Deacons together on a regular basis, we are able to share thoughts and ideas about individual ministries, strategies and setting locations as well as to share stories about individual faith journeys. It’s a way for us to not only be in mission together, but to be a means of support for each other. The committee now hosts twice monthly zoom meetings, to which every member is invited. These meetings allow us to instantly bridge the gap of separation by distance and be in touch with each other. An overnight retreat was held in the fall of 2023 and then in 2024, thanks to Bishop Egensteiner who agreed with our request, our second annual Bishop’s/Synod Deacons retreat was expanded to three days and two nights. Held at the Holy Family Retreat Center in West Hartford, Connecticut, it was a time of rest and replenishment. We engaged with keynote speakers, Rev. Guillermo Arboleda and Nicholas Tangen, as they shared new ways and possibilities for ministry in our communities. It was a JOY to be present, in person with each other, and to have conversation about our diaconate here in metro NY.
An Education Committee was also appointed, and it too became fully operational in 2024. Members of the diaconate are responsible for their own continuing education. This was all well and good but, they were left on their own to find ways and opportunities to carry out that responsibility. The committee is responsible for working to find those opportunities for our deacons, reviewing educational requirements, and bringing important and current changes to our diaconate. In 2024, the committee was able to build a bridge and partner with the Growing in Faith Program (GIF). Dating back to the 1970’s, GIF (previously called Diakonia) has been the recognized source of education for those seeking membership in the MNYS Diaconate. Operating with a new and unified national curriculum, GIF allows Synod Deacons to attend its elective courses and therefore satisfy requirements for that continuing education. In 2024 we were able to meet in person with GIF students. These meetings allowed for shared conversation and the ability to give students an idea of what to expect should they wish to explore a path to the Diaconate. Many thanks to Pastor Joann Heaney Hunter, who graciously stepped in to instruct our Deacons 1 class. Due to pandemic and resigning instructors/leaders, 2024 was the first time in three years that we were able to offer this required course to our new synod deacons.
Currently, there are 143 Deacons on the MNYS roster, 103 of them active, 13 are on leave from call and 27 are retired. At present, it takes about four years to complete the process of becoming a deacon. The application process includes successful education, psychological evaluations, background checks, congregational approvals, supervisory personnel and internship, prior to “Setting Apart.” Our deacons are required to submit annual reports, and to provide annual renewal of call letters, to the synod. The process of bringing and keeping our roster up to date has been exhausting, as many have not communicated with us for some time. I am happy to say, that as our committees continue to reach out, we are finding more and more of our members reuniting with the overall group.
A Service of “Setting Apart” was held at St. Peter’s in Huntington Station on April 20, 2024 where five new deacons were Set Apart. They are; Synod Deacon Angela Bello - The Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Patchogue, Synod Deacon Gina Danialinia - Good Shepherd, Pearl River, Synod Deacon Gloria Jaume-Olivares – St. Peter’s, Manhattan, Synod Deacon Lee Ann McCarthy - Our Saviour, Croton on Hudson, and Synod Deacon Laurie Palastro – St. Paul’s, Rye Brook. In January of 2024, nine candidates began their internships. Four of them have successfully completed and are scheduled to be Set Apart on Saturday May 3rd, at the Synod Assembly. They are; Belynda Barton – St. John’s, Middletown, Evelyn Buhner – Trinity, Rocky Point, Charles Testa – Trinity, Rocky Point, and Kerrianne Wilmer – St. John’s, Lindenhurst.
In 2024 I attended Conference Deans meetings, Interim pastors’ meetings, quadrant meetings, the Bishop’s retreat and more. These opportunities have allowed for direct and face to face conversations with many of our pastors. Sharing information, thoughts, ideas, and listening to their questions and concerns is helping to grow our diaconate in many ways. One of the most recent changes, allowing our deacons to remain on active call in places of vacancy, has proven to be beneficial for congregations as they struggle without a pastor and move through the transition process. Previously, deacons were required to step down and go on leave from call when a congregation went into vacancy. This new provision however, does not come without some challenges. In order to maintain order, control and accountability, a provision has been put into place, which only allows this to happen under a stipulation agreement. A representative from the SDC will meet with the deacon(s) and congregation council of the congregation in question to review this agreement, and address questions and concerns. The agreement, which is signed by the deacon, the congregation council, the SDC Chairperson, the conference dean or interim pastor, and approved by the Bishop, is an attempt to make sure that both deacon and congregation are fully aware of the limitations of diaconal ministry.
For many reasons, not the least of which is the lack of ordained pastors, we find ourselves needing to provide coverage for worship services at congregations in vacancy. Many of our Synod Deacons are providing coverage on a regular basis, not only in their own congregations but, often times traveling to provide coverage in other places. I have received calls and emails from other synods across the ELCA requesting information about our diaconate and how we do things here in Metro NY. The growing need to provide coverage, not only here in Metro NY but, across the ELCA, has brought the question of synodically authorized ministers (SAMs) to the forefront. SAMs are trained lay persons who are authorized to preach and to preside at the table. The provision for their use is provided for in the ELCA constitution and is granted for a specific time and place. In some synods, such ministers are also authorized to do baptisms, weddings and funerals. In fact, the use of SAMs has existed in other synods for quite some time. Bishop Egensteiner, Pastor Chris Mietlowski and I have been in conversation about how to move forward with this ministry. I have already met with leaders from the North Carolina Synod, and plan on meetings with other synods, to discuss the topic and exchange information. The plan includes gathering a group of pastors and deacons on retreat, to engage in this conversation.
I am thankful to all of our Synodically Rostered Deacons, and for all that you do in ministry to God’s children. My prayers for you, your ministries, and for those who by your service may benefit, will continue to be offered up to God. Please know that we, as your Diaconate Council, and I as chairperson, are here to assist you in whatever ways that we can.
Members of the Synod Diaconate Council as appointed by Bishop Egensteiner: S. Dcn. George Guinan (Chair), S. Dcns. Roberta Detmers, Donna-Mari Fieldsa, Jean Fucci, Denise Rutherford Gill, Nancy Schoener. Lay Representatives: Regina Daniels (Secretary), Peter Teichmann. Clergy Representatives: Pr. Evelyn “Patty” Avila, Pr. Rebecca Sheridan. Bishop’s liaison: Pr. Christopher Mietlowski. I thank all of you for your participation and hard work in the running of our Diaconate. Regina Daniels, I am thankful for your hard work, many times on a moment’s notice, in your position as our secretary. Your love, care and concern for us, does not go unnoticed.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sdcn. George Guinan - Chair