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Synod Diaconate Council

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Synod Diaconate Council

SDcn. George Guinan, chair
 
Members of the Council: SDcn. George Guinan (Chair), SDcns. Roberta Detmers, Donna Mari Fieldsa, Jean Fucci, Denise Rutherford Gill, Lay Representatives - Regina Daniels and Peter Teichmann, Clergy Representatives - Pastor Evelyn "Patty" Avila and Pastor Rebecca Sheridan, Bishop's Liaison - Pastor Christopher Mietlowski. Current vacancies will be filled soon. 
 

I am happy to report that five Deacon Interns were "Set Apart" in 2022:
 
  • SDcn. Herme Barbagallo - St Michael's, Amagansett - Pastor George W. Dietrich 
  • SDcn. Tanya Behnke - Calvary, Hauppauge - Pastor Zachary Dean 
  • SDcn. Robert Lewis - (OLFC) Calvary, Hauppauge - Pastor Zachary Dean 
  • SDcn. Lisa Spinazzola - Hope, Selden - Rev. Dr. Richard 0. Hill 
  • SDcri. Robert Wechtenhiser - St Luke's, Manhattan - Rev. Dr. Arden Strasser 
 
 
Further, seven Deacon Interns will be "Set Apart" on Saturday, May 6th: 
 
  • Doreen Flanagan - St Paul's, East Northport - Pastor Jonathan Pryer 
  • Daniel Foisset - Cross of Christ, Babylon - Pastor Joanne Bond 
  • Donna Galluccio - St Paul's, East Northport - Pastor Jonathan Pryer 
  • Carol Germann - St Luke's, Farmingdale - Pastor Robert Weber 
  • Carol Giangrasso - Christ, Newburgh - Pastor Ernst Massi 
  • Linda Yeelan Law - Grace, Malverne - Pastor David Anglada 
  • Wendy Bean Tannenbaum - St Paul's, East Northport - Pastor Jonathan Pryer 
 
Currently, 12 applicants are doing their internship, looking to be "Set Apart in 2024, and one applicant is scheduled to begin internship in January of 2024. 

The Council is currently working to bring members of the diaconate closer together both socially and professionally. Following conversation with Bishop Egensteiner and his staff, the planning of our hoped-for and first-ever Bishops-Deacons retreat has begun. It is scheduled for October 26-27. A Social Committee (SDcns. Roberta Detmers, Jean Fucci, Doug Jenkins, Irma Bahr­Madrid) has been formed, is expanding, and has already made progress. Via zoom, members of the diaconate are meeting monthly to share their thoughts and concerns.
 

Continuing Education for the diaconate is a concern. Members of the diaconate are expected to be diligent in their study of the Holy Scriptures and continuing education but, where do we find it? A Continuing Education Committee, chaired by SDcn. Denise Rutherford-Gill has been formed and is looking for additional members. Their work is to find opportunities that might be available to our members. Through the Bishop's office, we are trying to create a relationship with the "Growing in Faith Program" formerly Diakonia. In this relationship, which is intended to be two-sided, the diaconate hopes to better inform and pave the way for those discerning the path to becoming deacons, while at the same time creating opportunities for deacons to accomplish their necessary continuing education. 

Via Pastor Christopher Mietlowski, our Liaison to the Bishop and his staff, other works continue to progress and bear fruit. For anyone having thoughts, concerns, or questions, I can be contacted via email at [email protected] or by cell at 631-767-0770. 

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