Prayers
Click on one of the following links for the prayers:
Doorway
The deacon's natural place before and after worship is to be at the doorway; welcoming people into the gathering and encouraging them as they leave. Particular prayer requests can be made to the deacon who can then ensure they are included in the intercessions. At the end of the service it is the deacon who speaks the dismissal: "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord".
The doorway symbolises the ministry of a deacon, who is called to encourage others in their journey of faith and also in their baptismal responsibilities to serve God in their daily lives; being beside their fellow Christians as they gather for prayer and worship and as they make their way out again into the world.
Bowl and Towel
This is one of the best known symbols of the deacon or servant, reminding us all of Christ's servant ministry:
Jesus took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel round his waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13: 4-5
On Maundy Thursday, this act is remembered when bishops and priests wash the feet of members of the congregation. It is a symbolic reminder that they remain deacons or servants throughout their life's ministry.
The deacon's stole is worn across one shoulder and loosely tied at the waist, as a towel would be, ready for action.
These Romanian Orthodox deacons (left) are participating in Easter celebrations.
Community
Deacons are called to be in community, encouraging people to live the gospel in daily work and recreation, supporting their commitments as servants of Christ, helping to make a positive difference to society, facing issues of justice, fostering peace and showing compassion.
Team-work and collaborative partnership are the hallmarks of diaconal service.
Called to Care
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name above all names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2: 5-11