You are invited to Erin’s Ordination!
On September 15, 2010 at 7:30pm, Erin Bair will be made a transitional Deacon in the Anglican Communion by Bishop John Guernsey at Restoration Anglican Church.
That is a mouthful!
I am so excited for Erin and so proud of the way she has walked this journey. It has been a long road from The Falls Church to Harvard to Iowa for clinical pastoral training to Restoration. God has clearly had his hand on her every step of the way. She has completed a Masters of Divinity. She has completed an additional year of pastoral care training in a rigorous hospital environment. And she has spent the last 2 years giving her sweat, blood, and tears to planting Restoration!
Everyone who follows Jesus is given the calling of building His Kingdom. Every vocation matters. Yet, the church has always set aside some of its members for the task of leading the church. The New Testament affirms 3 offices of church leadership: deacon, presbyter (elder), and bishop/overseer (episcopos). Erin will be ordained a transitional deacon, which means she will be recognized as a member of the clergy, a set apart leader of the church. But she is on her way to being ordained a presbyter (sometimes called priests).
The next months are a special time of self-evaluation, reflection, and listening to God for Erin. She is preparing to take significant vows to serve Christ and His bride, the church. I invite us all to pray regularly for Erin over the next 8 months. This is an exciting and sober season.
This is what Bishop Guernsey will pray on Sept. 15
Make her, O Lord, modest and humble, strong and constant, to observe the discipline of Christ. Let her life and teaching so reflect your commandments, that through her many may come to know you and love you. As your Son came not to be served but to serve, may this deacon share in Christ’s service, and come to the unending glory of Him who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
AMEN!!
Powerful words. I hope you will join us on Sept 15 at 7:30 as we celebrate what God is doing in and through our dear sister in Christ.
August 10, 2010 @ 9:34 am
Wonderful news — I’m looking forward to Erin’s long-awaited beginning in the deaconate.
August 11, 2010 @ 6:15 am
Wouldn’t miss it for the world! EXTREMELY excited…
August 11, 2010 @ 7:13 am
Way to go Erin Elizabeth!! We are all so proud of you and your accomplishments. Sure wish we lived closer so we could be there on September 15th. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Aunt Nancy
August 11, 2010 @ 8:11 am
Calendar is marked – looking forward to it!
August 11, 2010 @ 8:14 am
Wonderfully exciting news! Will be there in spirit
August 11, 2010 @ 8:31 am
Thanks, everybody! I’m so excited to be ordained at Restoration, among all of you who have been such a good gift from God to me and such wonderful companions along the journey. Can’t wait to celebrate with you!
August 11, 2010 @ 4:02 pm
Erin:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the upcoming months. We are so proud of you and sorry that we cannot attend this ordination.
Love, Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathy
August 11, 2010 @ 7:02 pm
Has been a long hard journey but we have been there to help you. Thanks be to God
August 13, 2010 @ 7:26 pm
Erin’s sermon series on Jonah has been a home run so far. My son in law came last Sunday and had not planned on visiting us but it was precisely the message he needed to hear for a very difficult work situation he is facing. He’s been quoting it all week. Erin clearly is called by God and is an incredible complement to David. We at Restoration are really blessed! TBTG
August 16, 2010 @ 4:08 pm
So excited Erin!!