The Outline of Faith in the Book of Common Prayer states that:
The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant to those
in need; and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the
administration of the sacraments. (BCP page 856.)
In an effort to raise awareness of the ministry of deacons in the Episcopal Church and to support discernment toward a call to diaconal ministry, the Province I School for Deacons commissioned a video, “Deacons Make a Meaningful Difference.” The school is a two-year deacon formation collaborative involving six New England dioceses: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts.
In the Diocese of Rhode Island there are over a dozen vocational deacons who are active in our parishes and in ministry throughout the state and even internationally. The Venerable Grace Swinski is the diocese’s archdeacon, and she may be contacted via email. The Deacon’s Handbook is available online.
To learn more about the diaconate, visit the Association of Episcopal Deacons.
