School for Deacons

On April 19th, I visited the School for Deacons at CDSP in Berkeley. I had canceled my previous visit scheduled for March 29th since it was the same day as the Special Convention for the Diocese of San Joaquin.

I spent the night at a youth hostel in the fraternity row by Cal Berkeley. Interesting place. Not being one that spent any time living on a campus, I got a sense of how it must seem to have lived in a dorm. I stayed in a musty, dank basement with very bohemian decor.

The School for Deacons is the place for those descerning God's call to service. The Diocese of San Joaquin has not sent anyone to the school in over 20 years due to John-David Scholfield's decision to distance himself from the TEC, conflict with the church's stance on gays and women's ordination. My reception by the students was overwhelming, nearing bringing me to tears with their applause at our diocese's new leadership. Bishop Lamb, our new bishop, is a strong supporter of the school with a great love for the diaconate.

I sat in on several classes and felt very comfortable sharing my thoughts with the other students participating in the subjects of Theological Reflection, Introduction to the BCP and Anglican Theology. I was surprised at how much I actually knew which gave me confidence that this is where God is calling me to be. I still have much to learn and I look forward to attending classes in the fall. I have no idea how I'm going to afford the education, but I'm going to enter this in faith that God will provide a way.

Pray for me and if I actually reach the point of becoming ordained, pray for the Church.