On Sunday, October 23, 2022, Bishop Orji and Lilian will be with us for the Bishop’s Annual Visitation
…and to Ordain Dr. Thomas Jennings to the Sacred Order of Deacons
in the Anglican Communion, Province of the Church of Nigeria
The ordination of Dr. Jennings to the Deaconate is the result of considerable prayer and discernment of how to extend and empower the ministry of the church into all spheres of creation through our individual lives and work.
In Amy Sherman’s book Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good, she writes:
“….today thousands of Christian professionals sit in the pews, wondering, can I participate in Jesus' mission and do so using the gifts and skills God has given me? The answer is a resounding yes-but such a word is tragically uncommon in many Christian congregations"
Specifically, to this end, in addition to the traditional pastoral and liturgical responsibilities fulfilled by the office of a Vocational Deacon, Tom will serve in a newly-created ministry of Chaplain for Vocations, to facilitate the integration of our parishioners’ faith and practice with their own vocations and daily lives.
As Christians, we do not believe we are to live dual lives, one in Church and another the rest of the week. Rather, we are called to live lives of unity and singularity of kingdom purpose in our Lord Jesus Christ. As an ordained member of our clergy team, Chaplain Jennings will specifically work with our parishioners to learn firsthand about their vocations and to support their sense of God’s sovereignty over their individual Christian ministry.
This is an exciting and unique ministry innovation that we as parishioners under Chaplain Jennings' leadership can begin to develop for our own witness and effectiveness as Christians, as well a model for the reassertion and expansion of Christian principles and life in our culture about which I have recently been teaching and preaching.
There is much to be learned and developed together in this venture, but the first step in this vision will be Tom’s ordination and empowerment to move forward in this special calling about which the parish leadership is greatly excited. Please plan to join us with our Bishop for this important beginning Sunday morning October 23rd at 9:00 a.m. with a reception for Bishop Orji and Lilian in Yates Hall during the Adult Education Hour.
…and to Ordain Dr. Thomas Jennings to the Sacred Order of Deacons
in the Anglican Communion, Province of the Church of Nigeria
The ordination of Dr. Jennings to the Deaconate is the result of considerable prayer and discernment of how to extend and empower the ministry of the church into all spheres of creation through our individual lives and work.
In Amy Sherman’s book Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good, she writes:
“….today thousands of Christian professionals sit in the pews, wondering, can I participate in Jesus' mission and do so using the gifts and skills God has given me? The answer is a resounding yes-but such a word is tragically uncommon in many Christian congregations"
Specifically, to this end, in addition to the traditional pastoral and liturgical responsibilities fulfilled by the office of a Vocational Deacon, Tom will serve in a newly-created ministry of Chaplain for Vocations, to facilitate the integration of our parishioners’ faith and practice with their own vocations and daily lives.
As Christians, we do not believe we are to live dual lives, one in Church and another the rest of the week. Rather, we are called to live lives of unity and singularity of kingdom purpose in our Lord Jesus Christ. As an ordained member of our clergy team, Chaplain Jennings will specifically work with our parishioners to learn firsthand about their vocations and to support their sense of God’s sovereignty over their individual Christian ministry.
This is an exciting and unique ministry innovation that we as parishioners under Chaplain Jennings' leadership can begin to develop for our own witness and effectiveness as Christians, as well a model for the reassertion and expansion of Christian principles and life in our culture about which I have recently been teaching and preaching.
There is much to be learned and developed together in this venture, but the first step in this vision will be Tom’s ordination and empowerment to move forward in this special calling about which the parish leadership is greatly excited. Please plan to join us with our Bishop for this important beginning Sunday morning October 23rd at 9:00 a.m. with a reception for Bishop Orji and Lilian in Yates Hall during the Adult Education Hour.