Ascension’s Mission Statement
“DISCIPLES OF CHRIST CALLED TO SERVE NEIGHBORS NEAR AND FAR”

Greetings and a warm welcome to all.
Today we welcome to Ascension The Reverend Deacon Fergie Horvath. She is our special guest for both liturgies, 8 AM and 10:30 AM, and for our Christian Education hour.
Deacon Fergie will talk with us about her own journey and role as a deacon in the Episcopal Church, and the ministry of deacons as a whole. She has answered the call to serve as a deacon permanently and is not on the path of a Transitional Deacon in order to become a priest. This offers us here an extra special opportunity hear and learn about the diaconal ministry and its importance to us and to the wider church, and in the world. During the liturgy, please note that Deacon Fergie will participate in the roles which represent the ministry of a deacon and embody its theological significance: reading the Gospel, preaching, preparing the Altar for the Eucharist, and offering the dismissal.
Also symbolic of her ministry is the fact that she wears her stole across her shoulder, unlike priests and bishops. There is much, much more to learn about the diaconate. Therefore I encourage you to come to the Christian Education class and hear more about this ancient and wonderful ministry and order of the church. Deacons can be traced all the way back to Paul in his writings to the Philippians.
I call your attention to the Ordination Rite for Deacons in the Book of Common Prayer beginning on page 537.  “The Examination” begins on page 543 and there you will learn more about the deacon. Please note especially the words, “You are to make Christ and his redemptive love known, by your word and example, to those among whom you live, and work, and worship. You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.” A key and unique component in the role of the deacon is that the deacon works primarily in the world and serves as the bridge between the Church and the world.
On another note, yesterday in Greenville and Columbia in a special Eucharist held simultaneously in both locations, the diocese commissioned nineteen new Lay Chaplains who have completed all the requirements of the pastoral care training program the Community of Hope. Let us congratulate Lynn Childress, Lou Leffler, Ginger Tidman, and Kim Payne on this accomplishment. This commissioning is not the end, but only the beginning of a new and exciting ministry for them, and for us.
Ecce quam bonum,
Deedie+