Living Into the Future
Apr 15, 2024
S. Dcn. George Guinan – Chair, SDC
Living into the future. I’ve heard it said many times and in different settings. As a firefighter, it was important for us to understand the things that went wrong during an emergency operation. It wasn’t simply “what” though, it was how and why also. Lives depended on our getting it right, and not just the lives of those we were sent to help but, our own lives too. Living into the future most times means learning from the mistakes or unfortunate consequences of things gone wrong. Sometimes though, it seems impossible to keep up. No two operations, emergencies or fire scenes are ever the same. The playground is always changing, so how do you live into the future or plan for it, when it’s always, never the same?
I was set apart as a Synodically Rostered Deacon in April of 2017. It was the culminating event in the process of trying to answer a simple question. What do I believe? In the nearly seven years that have passed, the only unchanging thing I’ve learned, in my personal, professional and diaconal life, is that God has his own agenda. This falls completely in line with my last comment in the preceding paragraph. The playing field, the players, the times, the game we play, and the rules, are all ever-changing, and so, trusting our instincts with the help of the Holy Spirit, we adapt and do what we have to do.
This little write-up is an attempt to open a line of communication between Pastors and the synod diaconate. I hope this open line might prove to be informational for everyone, regarding the role of Synodically Rostered Deacons in the MNYS. Officially started in the early 1980s under then Bishop Stephen Bouman, today there are 140 Synodically Rostered Deacons in the MNYS, and 19 more who are completing or beginning an internship to be “Set Apart.” Prior to their being set apart, diaconal candidates are required to complete educational training, psychological and supervisory evaluation, background check and an internship. Typically, this is a three to five-year process.
We have Deacons who are supervising food pantries and Meals on Wheels programs. Some are Stephens Ministers and help in the visitation of the home-bound, hospitalized, imprisoned, and marginalized. There are prayer ministries and those organizing and leading healing services. Some are leading youth groups. Some are involved in Christian education, leading Bible studies, new member and confirmation classes. We have bi-lingual Deacons doing these ministries in their own diverse communities. Some work with the poor and the homeless population. Some have music ministries, and some work in social media.
The Synodically Rostered Diaconate falls under the authority of our Bishop, Paul Egensteiner. It is governed by the guidelines of the Synod Diaconate and ministered by the Synod Diaconate Council, (SDC). The Rev. Christopher Mietlowski is the Bishop’s Liaison to the SDC, which is chaired by Synod Deacon George Guinan. See the link below for a copy of the Diaconate guidelines. We are hopeful that you will take time to read them.
What questions do you have? How can we as a diaconate better help you? What would you like us to know?
Click
HERE for the Synodical Diaconate Guidelines.