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Preaching Excellence: Deacons of Province 1
Friday, March 3, 5:30 pm - Sunday, March 5, 6:30 pm EST via Zoom

​The online conference’s central focus will be the unique voice of the deacon as a reflection of the diaconate’s mission to represent the Church to the community and the world to the Church.

“The mission of the diaconate has never been more central to the needs of the Church,” said EPF’s Dean of Faculty Stephen Smith. “Deacons point us in the direction where the Church can be of service in the world in these increasingly dismaying times, and to be fully effective in this role the diaconate needs to speak powerfully and authentically from the pulpit. We hope that these conferences will play a role in lifting the diaconate to this role.”

The program will emphasize the deacon’s unique opportunity—and responsibility—to speak the sometimes uncomfortable truths that may be less acceptable coming directly from the incumbent priest.

In addition to preaching to peer feedback in small, moderated preaching groups, the participants will hear from highly-respected guest faculty:
  • The Rev. Kimberly Jackson, Georgia State Senator and Vicar of the Church of the Common Ground, a street ministry in Atlanta.
  • The Rev. Dr. Stephen Smith will present a refresher workshop on exegesis and sermon preparation
  • Ryan Bonfiglio, Ph.D. of Candler School of Theology will present The Bible and Poverty, a reminder that the alleviation of poverty is one of the most dominant themes in both Old and New Testaments.

A panel discussion will discuss how preachers are responding to the new challenge of preaching in the digital age and leveraging the power of social media to expand the reach of their ministries.

Registration, schedule and guest speakers.
Previous Events
30th Anniversary of the Diaconate in Rhode Island: The Year of the Deacon
On May 30, 2015 the diocese celebrated with a Mass and Reception. Watch a video of Archdeacon Jan Grinnell's sermon. Photos can be viewed here. On July 13, 1985, Bishop George Hunt ordained the first class of Deacons,  beginning the revival and resurrection of the vocational Diaconate not only in the Diocese of RI, but also in the Province of New England.
Province VIII Conference on Poverty - June 2014
Sermon by Lori Mills-Curran, previous Executive Director of AED
A Deacon's Experience at EYE '14
Eucharist with flashlight apps, teens from most dioceses given the opportunity to discover a much larger church, and an energy that was contagious - all part of EYE! Deacon Maureen-Elizabeth Hagen shares the experience of herself and the youth she accompanied. Read more...
Kindling Conference, 2014: A Blog Report
Tom Lutes, an AED board member, recently attended Kindling, an Episcopal conference for leaders in ministry with Young Adults and Campus Ministry. Kindling's goal is to better equip and engage young adults, preparing them for leadership in the church. Read Tom's blog about his experience.
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To include your event, please email Deacon Anne.
Continuing Education is listed here.