leaving well guidelines ~ deacons - The Episcopal Diocese of ...
leaving well guidelines ~ deacons - The Episcopal Diocese of ...
leaving well guidelines ~ deacons - The Episcopal Diocese of ...
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LEAVING WELL GUIDELINES ~ DEACONSWe are blessed in this diocese with many wonderful <strong>deacons</strong> who faithfully serve thecongregations to which they have been assigned. <strong>The</strong> unfortunate reality is that we have moreparishes than <strong>deacons</strong>, so we need to move our <strong>deacons</strong> every few years to try to give everyparish an opportunity to experience the pr<strong>of</strong>ound and meaningful ministry <strong>of</strong> the diaconate.When it is time to be reassigned, the <strong>leaving</strong> and the letting go can be difficult; thus doing both<strong>well</strong> will help to insure a healthy transition for the rector, the staff, and for the parish. <strong>The</strong>following <strong>guidelines</strong>, though <strong>of</strong>ten difficult for both deacon and parish, provide a context forhealthy disengagement and closure so that everyone can move forward in their respectivemissions.<strong>The</strong> deacon must:Remove all personal belongings from the church including books and vestments.Give all parish keys and other parish belongings in his or her control to the rector.If a discretionary fund and any other funds were in his or her control, these should beturned over to the rector. If a deacon has a discretionary fund, it should be held by theparish and be part <strong>of</strong> the parish’s <strong>of</strong>ficial auditing practices. We discourage <strong>deacons</strong>from having discretionary funds, preferring that they work with the rector <strong>of</strong> the parishre: the disbursement <strong>of</strong> funds.<strong>The</strong> deacon will inform the rector, wardens, vestry and congregation that he or she agrees:Not to serve members <strong>of</strong> the congregations pastorally, nor listen to or comment on theactivities <strong>of</strong> past, current or future clergy.Not to be available to participate in weddings, baptisms, funerals or other services at hisor her former parish except by specific invitation <strong>of</strong> the rector, and then only for aweighty cause.Not to attend any social activities at his or her former parish unless invited by the rector.If the parish is in an interim time between rectors, not to meet with members <strong>of</strong> the parishduring the interim period. When the newly called priest is fully and comfortablyintegrated into the life <strong>of</strong> the parish and established as the new leader, a conversation withthe new rector about appropriate nonparish related relationships with the parishionersmay be discussed.Saying Fare<strong>well</strong> Liturgically:If appropriate, the departing deacon should be invited to preach on his or her last Sunday. Ifpreaching is not the deacon’s gift, then time should be allotted during the service for the deaconto comment upon the ministry that they have shared with the congregation, the “seeds <strong>of</strong>ministry” that have been planted, and to identify for the congregation the “farmers” who will bethe overseers (chair people) <strong>of</strong> these ministries.
If desired, following the postcommunion prayer <strong>of</strong> thanksgiving, a special prayer <strong>of</strong> dedicationmay be <strong>of</strong>fered. <strong>The</strong> rector and lay leaders, representing the continuation <strong>of</strong> the ministries whichthe deacon helped to strengthen, renew, or begin, may lay their hands on the deacon while therector prays, i.e., Gracious God, we thank you for the work and witness <strong>of</strong> your servant, N., whohas enriched this community and has brought gladness to our hearts. We thank you for the gifts<strong>of</strong> ministry that you have given to her/him and we thank you for her/his willingness to share thosegifts with us. May we, with your help and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, nurture the seedswhich she/he has planted in the areas <strong>of</strong> _______, ______, and _____. May she/he return to usfrom time to time and find these ministries thriving. And may we always give you the glory forthe transformative work that she/he began doing at Parish Name in your name.Holy Father, we now ask you to bless and preserve N. as she/he begins her/his life in retirement.Guide her/him in the continued use <strong>of</strong> your gifts. Give her/him sustenance for temporal andspiritual needs; surround her/him with friends to cheer her/his way; and give her/him a clearvision <strong>of</strong> the ministry to which you are now calling her/him. By your Holy Spirit, be present inher/his pilgrimage, that she/he may travel with your Son who is our Way, who is our Truth, andwho is our Life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Saying Fare<strong>well</strong> Pastorally:A small committee <strong>of</strong> people close to the deacon should be formed. This committee, with therector’s input, will take on the task <strong>of</strong> giving the parish an opportunity to celebrate the years thatthey have shared in ministry with the deacon. It is appropriate to give the deacon personal giftsas <strong>well</strong> as to make a gift to the ministry or ministries that the deacon is personally and deeplyinvolved. <strong>The</strong> congregation may be solicited for donations, but it is important that thecongregation be made aware <strong>of</strong> how those donations will be used. If more funds are collectedthen are needed for the special gifts and/or the reception, the remainder may be given to thedeacon as a special “purse” to be used at their own discretion.It should also be remembered that the deacon is not the only person going through a transitionwhen they depart. A church staff also must realize that they, too, will experience a loss. This caneasily be overlooked when the focus is solely on the deacon and their departure and can result in aloss <strong>of</strong> “closure”. Thus it is a good idea for the church staff, with the deacon, to have a specialtime (such as a lunch at the rector’s expense! ) to share fellowship, to celebrate theirrelationships, and to say fare<strong>well</strong>.