in-SPIRE-ations
Chris and I were members of the Ligonier UMC for 28 years. We were high school sweethearts and graduated from West Noble together in 19…never mind. We have two adult children, a son, Andy, who lives in Fort Wayne and a daughter, Ashley, who lives with her husband, Jacob, and our only grandchild, Evelynn Catherine, aka Evie, in Westminster, Colorado. We moved from Ligonier to Kendallville almost 3 years ago and we love living at Cobblestone and having A LOT less lawn care and housework!!
I hold a certificate in accounting, an Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistance, a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership (Chris and I earned that together, too!) and a Master’s in Spiritual Formation and Evangelism. I was commissioned as a provisional deacon on the same day that Pastor Chris was ordained as an elder. I am in the second year of Residence in Ministry and will be fully ordained as a deacon in 2018 as long as I cross all of the t’s, dot all of the i’s and we all pray me through the maze of requirements. You probably already know that I am the Executive Director of Common Grace Ministries, but you may not know that I still practice Occupational Therapy and see 4 little ones through First Steps, as well. I have been asked some questions about what it means to be a Deacon, so let me answer a few of those for you.
What’s the difference between a Deacon and an Elder?
In 1996, the UMC made the decision to ordain Deacons in equal ordination with Elders. These are the only two orders ordained in the UMC. Elders are ordained to Word, Service, Order and Sacraments or Table. That means Elders, like Pastor Chris, are charged with the order of the church and presiding over the Sacraments, including Communion. Deacons are ordained to Word, Service, Compassion and Justice. Notice we are both ordained to the Word and to Serve. The Book of Discipline puts it this way: “The deacon embodies the interrelationship between worship in the gathered community and service to God in the world.” (¶305) In other words, we are the bridge. My primary appointment is to Common Grace Ministries where I see the needs of the people on a daily basis and learn the justice issues that influence their need. I bring that back into the church by sharing those needs with you and then we go out into the world together to do what we can to meet and mitigate those needs. My job in the church is to equip you to do that. A second definition of “inspire” is to “fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.” I hope to inspire you to join me in the world!
Don’t you mean “deaconess?”
No. Deacons are ordained and can be men or women. The deaconess’ (laywomen) and home missioners (laymen) are not ordained, but instead are “professionally trained persons who have been led by the Holy Spirit to devote their lives to Christ like service under the authority of the Church.” They are “approved through a process established by United Methodist Women, consecrated and commissioned by a bishop at settings approved by the board of directors of United Methodist Women.” (BOD ¶ 1314.2)
Do you have to go to school to do this?
Yes, deacons have all of the same requirement as elders with a couple of minor differences. We have to answer 3 additional commissioning questions while elders must submit a video of themselves preaching a sermon. In certain circumstances, deacons can take a shorter degree track, but then they must hold a certification in their specialty area. I have held a Certification in Spiritual Formation since 2006, so I could have gone that route, but for only 8 more hours I could have a Master’s so it seemed logical to go for it! I graduated from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in May 2015.
What should I call you?
My official title is Reverend Angie Kidd, however, just like Pastor Chris, I am not fond of the thought of being “revered.” I also forget that’s my title, so I probably won’t answer anyway. I forget to use it when I’m supposed to. If you call me Angela, I’ll think I’m in trouble. You’re welcome to call me Pastor Angie or Angie. An added benefit of having two clergy is that you now have two clergy voices and two lay voices at Annual Conference!
Whew! I promise I will keep it much shorter going forward. I hope all of this helps you get a handle on what it means to have a deacon in your midst. As we develop my role, I’ll keep you posted here along with keeping you in touch with the needs of our community, our county, our state and our world. I am excited to be here with you and look forward to getting to know you and serve with you. Blessings!
Pastor Angie