Meet the New Parish Deacon

Hello everyone, it is with humility and great joy that I introduce myself. My name is Carol Archer and I have been assigned by the bishop to Grace and St. Peter’s as your new parish deacon. I will begin my service on Sunday August 28th.

Deacon Carol

For the past nearly four years I have served as deacon at Christ Church in New Haven. This was my first assignment after my ordination to the permanent diaconate in September of 2007 by the Rt. Rev. Andrew Smith. Since it is the practice of this diocese to move deacons every 3-4 years (within a reasonable driving distance from their home) it came time for me to say “goodbye” to the good people of Christ Church and look forward to what and where God was calling me next.

After meeting this past spring with Bishop Laura Ahrens, who oversees the deacons in this diocese, to discuss where my next assignment might be, she suggested I meet with Rector Amanda Gott. Rev. Amanda and I had a very positive and productive time together as we introduced ourselves to each other and talked about all the ways Grace and St. Peter’s might benefit from having a deacon on board. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Now a little more background. I work full time as a hospice chaplain (deacons are not “paid” in this diocese). My partner of 27 years, Ann, and I have lived in North Branford for the past 20 years and share our home with our two German Shepherd Dogs, Grace and Rocky. We both enjoy gardening, reading, movies, keeping fit, being with family and friends. My home parish is Zion of North Branford who sponsored me for ordination and where Ann remains very involved in several ministries including outreach, vestry, memorial garden treasurer, and chalice bearer. I remain involved in Chapel on the Green, serving as deacon in the liturgy and offering the homily from time to time.

My schedule as your deacon will be on average 8 hours a week (this includes Sundays), depending on the needs of the rector and the community. It is planned that I preach once a month and will assist Rev. Amanda in various ministries related to the duties of my order. It is the expectation of the Bishop that deacons have one Sunday off a month to worship at their home parish as well as being allowed vacation time as agreed upon by the rector and deacon.

I am most excited to meet you all, to spend time getting to know you and to learn about the wonderful outreach ministries the parish is currently involved in. The main focus of a deacon’s ministry is service – to serve the needs of the poor, the lonely, the sick and the imprisoned. As author Rosalind Brown writes, “deacons have a prophetic ministry in the world where injustice exists, and a pastoral ministry to people in need… [they] lead the church into the world in mission, and the world into the church for prayer and action.” Deacons are a bridge upon which the gifts of the parish community can meet the needs of the local and global community, in hands on ministry, seeking and serving Christ in others, working the gospel, loving our neighbors as faith-filled brothers and sisters, as baptized Christians, as caring human beings, we are all called to do.

Blessings and God’s Peace, see you soon. — Deacon Carol