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AED's Mission & History

The Association for Episcopal Deacons is the preeminent diaconal association of the Episcopal Church.  It exists to enable the diakonia (diaconal service and action) of all the baptized.  To this end, it encourages every diocese to develop programs to ordain deacons, and provides resources to recruit and select, form, deploy, supervise and support deacons.  ​
A Brief History of AED and the Episcopal Diaconate
AED assumes a variety of unique responsibilities, made possible by our members, and by donations:
  • Teach the church how to initiate and best maintain a diocesan diaconal program. 
  • Curate a web-based storehouse of diaconal formation and supervision resources. 
  • Connect deacons and their allies in diakonia from all orders by the publication of our magazine Diakoneo, and our eNewsletter, Deacon Update. 
  • Gather Deacon Directors, Archdeacons and anyone with an interest in diaconal formation for an annual learning lab for development of new best practices to address current diaconal issues. 
  • Sponsor a program of diaconal mentoring and discernment for young adults. 
  • Convene an Assembly of deacons every three years for networking and professional development.
  • Maintain the most accurate database of Episcopal deacons in TEC.
  • Monitor the development of diaconal theology worldwide and ecumenically, by participating in the international diaconal forums DOTAC (Diakonia of the Americas and Caribbean) and Diakonia World Federation. 
  • Maintain a warm partnership for action with the Anglican Deacons Canada. 
  • Keep the diaconal voice at The Episcopal Church’s national table by upholding the diaconal presence in liturgy and action at General Convention. 
  • Articulate in all forums our response to the church’s challenges when viewed through a diaconal lens. 

Membership in AED is open to individuals and dioceses (lay or ordained, of any denomination). 

AED has played a major role in the development of the Episcopal diaconate as a full and equal order in today’s church.  Join us as we continue to endeavor to make Christ and his redemptive love known, and to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world, so that all our lives show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 543, Ordination: Deacon) 
AED's Annual Membership Campaigns

With over 3,000 deacons in The Episcopal Church and over 400 in the Anglican Church in Canada (as of 9/22), we are growing as a ministry, and have lots to do together!  
What do AED members support?
  • The diaconal presence at General Convention. 
  • Strong relationship with Canadian Deacons.
  • A3D: The annual Archdeacon and Deacon Directors Conference. 
  • The “go-to” source for information, publications and speakers. 
  • Online courses at CDSP, at a discount to AED members.  
  • The Triennial Assembly, with workshops & speakers.
  • and more...
We know deacons have many calls on their time and money -  we promise to do our best to be good stewards of your membership dollars. We hope that those of you who are members will continue in your support. We also hope that those of you who are not members will join us soon! 

​Please know how grateful we are for your support as we continue to promote the diaconate. 
​
Deacons under 50?  Join the Young Episcopal Deacons Group on Facebook.
Brochure on the Diaconate
Engaging the Diakonia of all Believers

Diaconía: Una declaración teológica
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DEACON STATS

US & Central America Deacons
2,020 Active
1,008 Retired
   196 In formation

Canadian 
341 Active
  92 Retired
    14 In formation

AED Membership
730 US
  65 Canada
  87 Dioceses (out of 111 Dioceses)
​
As of September 2022