Diakonia Convocation will draw 600 United Methodist servant-ministers to Orlando, April 19-22

By Victoria Rebeck

"Deacons are carrying God's love into all corners of society in new and inventive ways."

- Adrienne Ann Ilseman

As a record number of people prepare to become United Methodist deacons, a celebratory convocation sponsored by the church's General Board of Higher Education and Ministry will draw about 600 diaconal ministers and deacons to Orlando, April 19-22.

"This is a forward-looking event," said the Rev. Adrienne Ann Ilseman, a deacon in Northern Illinois and the co-chair of the event design team. "Deacons are carrying God's love into all corners of society in new and inventive ways."

And there are more of these "servant ministers" every day. According to GBHEM's Division of Ordained Ministry, 1,642 people are candidates to become deacons. If most of those candidates complete the process, the number of deacons will double. Currently, there are 1,377 active deacons and 210 retired, or a total of 1,587.

Participants in the Orlando, Fla., meeting will include diaconal ministers, probationary and ordained deacons, and people exploring this form of ministry. They will meet their United Methodist counterparts from around the world to network, share ideas, celebrate, and learn of new opportunities.

Sabbath-keeping in restful and creative ways will be a focus. Time is scheduled for prayer, journaling, walking and other restorative practices. Practical workshops include a look at the future of the diaconate, training for public speaking, explorations of justice ministries and cross-cultural ministries and more.

Participants also will walk to raise funds for Project Tariro, a ministry led by deacons that helps people in Zimbabwe to live with HIV/AIDS.

Major speakers include the Rev. Joaquín García, a deacon who has been at the forefront of the diakonia movement in The United Methodist Church and ecumenically, and the Rev. Barbara García, a deacon with extensive local, conference and general church leadership experience who is executive assistant to the bishop in the Tennessee Conference. Bishops Sally Dyck (Minnesota) and Gregory V. Palmer (Iowa), and the Rev. Janet Wolf also will speak.

Deacons and diaconal ministers share God's love with those in need and lead church people to pursue justice and peace. (Diaconate and related words come from the Greek word for servant.) They serve in a wide variety of settings. Some work in congregations as ministers of education or music. Others are social workers, attorneys who advocate for children, nurses, conflict mediators, grief counselors, and teachers, to name a few examples.

The United Methodist Church began consecrating laypeople as diaconal ministers in 1976 and ordaining deacons with full clergy rights in 1996.

The convocation's early-bird registration deadline has been extended to Jan. 15. Until that date, the registration fee is $260, which includes most meals, workshops, and materials. Scholarships are available through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the organizer of the event, and most annual conference boards of ordained ministry have Ministerial Education Funds available to ordained deacons.

To register and for more information, visit www.gbhem.org/convocation07 or send an e-mail message to registration@wellplannedevents.com.

Victoria Rebeck serves as director of communication for the Minnesota Conference and is an ordained deacon.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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