The Ordination of Elizabeth Petra Gray
I am thrilled to announce that our seminarian and dear friend, Liz Gray, will be made a deacon in Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on December 27, 2012. What a great Christmas present to us all! You are warmly invited to attend. The favor of an rsvp would help us plan for food and beverage! 🙂
Ordination?
As followers of Christ, we are all called to be salt and light in the world; to discharge our vocation to the glory of God; and to be attentive to the needs of those around us. We are all ministers of the life-changing Gospel.
But the church has always set aside a few from her number to hold a special office. We ordain those who are called to lead, to teach, to counsel, and to celebrate the sacraments. We are so grateful to have been a part of this journey with Liz.
- She will complete her Masters at the end of this month.
- She has been through a rigorous season of parish discernment and ecclesiastical examination.
- And she has completed a one year internship as Restoration’s seminarian.
We believe that she is called, that she is gifted, and that she is ready to lead and serve in Christ’s church.
On January 15, Liz will begin a new role at Restoration. She will be our full-time Pastoral Associate for Discipleship. She will direct our prayer, outreach, and discipleship ministries. Imagine a high level strategist who is thinking deliberately about how we help people grow to look like Jesus. This could happen by getting involved with one of our outreach partners, or learning to pray for the sick, or taking a class or small group or a myriad other ideas. Liz will be supervising these programs and helping people go deeper in their relationship with Jesus.
I am so thankful for the gifts she brings to our church. If you are in town on the 27th, I hope you will join us to celebrate her ordination. Feel free to leave a congratulations in the comments below.
And if Restoration is your church home, I hope you will pursue the different opportunities we provide to help you learn, experience, and grow in your relationship with God. Thanks Liz for blessing our church with your leadership and service!
-David
December 18, 2012 @ 4:37 pm
wahoo!!!!! -hill
December 18, 2012 @ 4:47 pm
Looking forward to celebrating Liz’s ordination — what a wonderful gift it has been to have her at Restoration. Of course, I’m also excited about the food and beverage part.
BTW – isn’t it “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church” (since catholic and universal mean the same thing)?
December 18, 2012 @ 4:49 pm
Yes, Jeff. Fixed it. Thanks!
December 25, 2012 @ 3:04 pm
Congratulations Liz!!! May God richly bless your ministry.
God of the prophets, bless the prophets’ heirs! Elijah’s mantle o’er Elisha cast:
Each age for your own solemn task prepares, make each one stronger, nobler than the last.
God our Father, as the biblical Elizabeth affirmed Mary in her ministry as the mother of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, as a Deacon in your church may Elizabeth affirm and build up your people in their ministries. Like Phoebe, may she bring your good news of grace to your people. And like Elizabeth of Hungary, may her ministry to the last, the lost and the least inspire your people to see the face of Jesus in all those who suffer. We pray this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.