New Journey Begins!

That's me up there. The one giving Communion, wearing the striped red stole, and looking rather pleased with myself. Today was the culmination of several years of work and of twists and turns in my path. Today I was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church.

The Diocese of Alabama pulled out all the stops for the new class of Deacons. We were a baker's dozen. Every seat in the Cathedral was filled. The Church did what the Episcopal Church is very good at, which is liturgy. Each Candidate was presented. Prayers were said and scripture read. Bishop Sloan preached a sermon that was full of joy and laughter. Then the Candidates went forward again, this time as a class. We knelt together, and one by one the Bishops laid their hands on us. And when we stood again we were Deacons.

Before I went forward to be ordained, I looked down the long pew and saw all the folks that I love and that love me sitting there. Genevieve & Graham, Mom, Dad, and Uncle Ken, Drew & Allison, Jon and other friends. I carried with me the prayers of those friends and family that could not be there. I also carried with me three very special things. My grandparents are all deceased, except my MeeMaw, and I wanted something of them with me. The Book of Common Prayer I carried was given to me by my grandmother Christine, I wore a ring with the family crest that my granddaddy Charles was so proud of, and in my prayerbook I carried a picture of my grandmother BeBe, her high school graduation picture.

It was a glorious day, and I don't think I have stopped smiling since. I am beginning a wonderful new journey. Maybe not so much a new journey and a turn in the road of a journey I have been on for a while.

So here we go . . .