Slideshow image

On Saturday, June 22 Archbishop John Stephens ordained four new transitional deacons: Claude St-Denis, Dara Crandall, Neil Jongbloed and Sarah Lehman.

The Rev. Canon Dr. Martin Brokenleg preached at the service. During his sermon Rev. Brokenleg recognized the loved ones of each ordinand and the those who were a part of their discernment and formation journey. He said, “thank you for working with these four who will eventually be priests. You have almost whipped them into shape, and we all thank you.” Turning to the families of the ordinands he spoke of the unconditional love and care of family and loved ones, and said “thank you for giving your daughters and sons for the sacrificial work of being a leader in the Church of God.”

Addressing the ordinands he said “you made it to today. you made it after committees asking you questions you had never thought about, you made it after the high blood pressure of ACPO, you made it after writing that paper that finally explained the doctrine of the trinity and original sin. You have, as an Anglican, learned to talk in church about money without ever using that word, you have learned to do pastoral care by text message…you know how to order a service and shorten a sermon…but think about this: this didn’t happen by your effort. You could have done nothing to make today happen. We are here to make you deacons en route to priesthood because it is God who called you and God who wants you to be priest.”

Following the sermon Archbishop Stephens proceeded with the rite of ordination.

The new transitional deacons will be completing curacies at the following parishes:

Sarah Lehman - St. Catherine’s, North Vancouver

Dara Crandall - St. Mark’s, Ocean Park

Neil Jongbloed - St. Stephen’s, Burnaby & St. Timothy, Brentwood

Claude St-Denis - Christ Church Cathedral

You can watch or listen to the full sermon by Rev. Canon Dr. Brokenleg here. 

You can view photos from the service, here.  

----

Photo: The new transitional deacons are presented to the congregation. (photo: Geoff Howe)