Three Deacons Ordained in June

by the Rev. Canon Patrick Funston

The diocese gathered at Grace Cathedral on Saturday, June 24, 2023 to participate in the ordination of three deacons. Lory Mills of St. Andrew’s, Derby, was ordained to the vocational diaconate, and two transitional deacons were ordained: Caroline Howard of St. Peter’s, Pittsburg and Martha Lamoy of St. Thomas, Overland Park. The ordination was streamed (and remains available) on the diocesan YouTube Page.

Bishop Cathleen Bascom presided and ordained the new deacons, and Archdeacon Monte Giddings preached for the service. Looking to the day’s Gospel and Old Testament readings, the Archdeacon noted that deacons are called to be ready for action, but also noted that God’s language is silence, “God says, ‘I will put the words that need to be said in your mouth… or not.’” Archdeacon Giddings further noted that God’s love in Christ is “radical and relentless,” and he entreated the new deacons and assembled congregation to love radically and relentlessly, “bringing it with us everywhere we go.”

Deacons Mills and Lamoy attended the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, Topeka, while Deacon Howard attended the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. Deacon Mills was sponsored for ordination by the clergy and people of St. Andrew’s, Derby. Her deacon internship placement is bi-located in Wichita with St. Bartholomew’s Church and Breakthrough-Episcopal Social Services. Deacon Howard was sponsored by St. Peter’s, Pittsburg and has been placed as Curate for Creation Care at Bethany House & Gardens, Topeka with a quarter-time vicarate with St. Mary’s, Galena. Deacon Lamoy was sponsored by St. Thomas, Overland Park and is, at the time of publication, in a process of mutual discernment with the bishop and several congregations of the diocese.God willing and the people consenting, the bishop expects to ordain Martha and Caroline to the priesthood on Saturday, January 13, 2024, 10:30am at Grace Cathedral, Topeka.