1979

Attention to the issue of distinctive, that is, permanent, deacons who do not automatically go on to be ordained as priests was first evidenced in November 1979 when the Provincial Standing Committee of the Anglican Church in Southern Africa asked the South African Anglican Theological Commission to consider the question of the theology of the diaconate. This request originated out of a debate on the ordination of women though it can be noted that there had been a revival of the idea of a distinctive diaconate in the worldwide Anglican Church since the 1960s.

The Archbishop appointed the following to the Commission: The Venerable L. Bank (Chairman), the Venerable D.C.T. Nkwe, the Revd. V.P.S. Mkhize, the Revd S.T.W. Hayes, and Dr E. Strassberger. The Revd J.J.W. Aitchison was invited to attend the second meeting of the Commission.

1982

The report of the Commission was discussed at some diocesan synods. The following report appeared in the Seek newspaper of September:

Natal Synod yes to permanent deacons

NATAL'S diocesan synod last month welcomed suggestions that the ministry of deacons should be recognised as permanent, rather than a temporary stage on the way to becoming a priest. Meeting in Pietermaritzburg cathedral the synod passed a resolution noting “with enthusiasm” the report of the provincial commission on the diaconate, and looking forward to the implementation of its recommendations. The commission recommended that the members of the restored order of deacons would be especially responsible for care o the sick, widows and orphans, the poor and oppressed, or other forms of social service or church administration. In addition, the deacon would perform certain kinds of function in the worship of the Church. The report is to be debated at Provincial Synod in November this year.

Proposing the resolution, the Dean of Pietermaritzburg said lay people who were giving their lives to the ministry of the Church should be ordained as deacons. This would prevent a situation where such ministries are seen to be “blotted out” by a priestly hierarchy, the Very Revd. John Forbes said. The Archdeacon of Pietermaritzburg, the Ven Ernest Mkhize, supported the motion. “We have lay ministers, pastoral assistants, and various other kinds of operators who are fulfilling a necessary service for the body of Christ. These people often fit perfectly the qualfications of a deacon, with their drive, determination, and the call within them to which they are responding,” Fr Mkhize said. “They are called to a high office in the Church, which is no other than the diaconate.” But the Revd Nigel Juckes asked: “Do we have to ordain all who are raised up by the Spirit for ministry?” He was supported by the Revd Isaac Dlamini, who said the laity were just beginning to learn about what it means to be the body of Christ. This lesson would be undone when some, and not others, were ordained for ministries of service. Mrs Peter Stayt said the recommendations would complicate a situation “which really doesn’t need any more complications”. Both in pastoral care and in public worship, the deacon would be doing work now done by either the priest or the laity, or both, she said. Archdeacon Rod Smith of the Midlands warned of the danger of “structural fundamentalism” in imitating the early church. “What the Church is wanting today is a relevant form of ministry for the twentieth century,” he said. He feared that the laity would say of a deacon, “This is his job,” rather than seeing service as the job of all Christians. Replying to the debate, Dean Forbes said the recommendations had nothing to do with giving people status, but they were concerned with the better ordering of the Church’s mission to society.

The motion was passed on a voice vote with a large majority.

Earlier the Revd John Aitchison of Pietermaritzburg addressed the synod in conference on the role of deacons. Mr Aitchison was introduced by the Bishop of Natal as “one who chooses to be a deacon rather than being ordained a priest”. He was a member of the commission. He said that all Christians were called to a ministry of service, and there was also a priesthood of all believers. “But we ordain priests because we need the focussed leadership of a person who will see to it that the priesthood of all believers is practised.” In the same way, deacons should be ordained so that they could ensure that the ministry of diakonia (service) was carried out by the body as a whole. Some deacons, he said, might later become priests just as some priests might become bishops. But deacons should not be seen to be “preparing to be priests,” any more than priests were preparing to become bishops. Mr Aitchison described deacons as important in the early Church because of their ministry to the poor and needy. “But today, parishes where there are many suffering and needy people very often are the parishes which do not have deacons,” he said.

Finally, later that year, after three years of work by the Commission, at the Provincial Synod it was voted that the report of the Commission not even be debated.

From 1982 to 1989

However, in the Eighties and subsequent decades, though in some dioceses only, a small number of permanent deacon were ordained.

1990

A set of booklets on training of distinctive deacon produced in the Diocese of Pretoria under Bishop Richard Kraft. The Bishop’s preface to the booklet “What is a deacon?” stated:

" .... God has been helping us to re-discover the ministry of the DEACON, and has been raising up men and women called to this ministry. They in fact, are the ones who are teaching us about the ministry of the DEACON in the modern church and in our situation. During the extensive discussion which we had in our Diocesan Chapter when we were considering the Diaconate as a distinctive ministry, the late Canon Trevor Verryn cautioned us: "Whatever you do, do not allow the training of Deacons to fall into the hands of the priests, they will just make them in their own image!"

1992

The issue of the ordination of women In the Anglican Church of Southern Africa was resolved in 1992.

2012

The beginnings of the Fellowship of Deacons owes much to the energetic work of Gwynne Lawlor, who was ordained a deacon in December 2012 in the Diocese of the Highveld.

In 2012, as she prepared for ordination to the Diaconate, she gained Bishop David Bannerman’s blessing for her to attend a Diakonia International assembly in Berlin in Germany. She had also been in contact with the London Company of Deacons. Bishop Bannerman stated in an email to her (Bannerman to Lawlor, 20121107):

“We need to be exploring our understanding of the diaconate.”

2013

On the 25 March 2013 Bishop Bannerman invited Lawlor to meet him to discuss the diaconate, saying,

“ I have been very conscious for some time of the important role that the distinctive Diaconate has within the life of the Church and more particularly our Diocese.”

This was the first meeting of the Diocese of Highveld deacons.

In an email to two other deacons she had met with at the meeting with the Bishop, Lawlor on 27 April 2013 stated:

“The backing and support from Bishop David, and his ideas of incorporating all the deacons in the Chrism Service on Maundy Thursday, by having them gather round the deacon reading the Gospel, sounded really affirming of the Servant Ministry of the deacons in our Diocese.

The image of deacons being the spokes emanating from the hub (Bishop and Diocese), through the parishes to the margins and fringe of society, and back from the "rim", through the parishes, back to Diocese, thus maintaining the connection between the Church and the world was mentioned. It occurs to me, as I write this e-mail, that this image resembles the emblem of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa!

Some of the points for reflection, coming out of our meeting, were as follows:
1) How do we understand the distinctive diaconate and how do we understand our role (liturgical, pastoral etc.)
2) Do we require any training, or further training, for ministries needed in our contexts?
3) What support do we need from Diocese in exercising our calling?”

On 29 April, Deacon Barbara Morrison, responding, said that the meeting was the first gathering of deacons that had been held in the seven years since she was ordained in 2006. Morrison described her diaconal work as pastoral visiting, Bible studies, a parish social responsibility creche feeding scheme and a food parcel service, preaching and checking the attendance register and prayer list.

On 3 May 2013, Gwynne Lawlor, in an email to Bishop David Bannerman of the Diocese of the Highveld, commented:

“This raises a few questions for me:
What has happened with the distinctive diaconate in the Diocese of Pretoria?
Did the ordination of women into the priesthood overshadow and supplant the re-awakening of the Diaconate?
Has the Church changed to such an extent that the role of the Distinctive Deacon has become obsolete?”

Bishop Bannerman responded on 6 May:

“I think that there are a number of reasons. One maybe is the ordination ot women. I am conscious that there are deacons who would like to be priests. There is a matter of status and authority. There is also the question of the Eucharist.”

On 1 June 2013, in another email to David Bannerman, Lawlor said:

“e : Distinctive Diaconate:
After the exams I shall be working on a short news-letter and power point presentation on the work of the distinctive deacons in the Diocese of the Highveld, so will be asking for the contact details of all I have not met from Margaret later this week, and will follow up with Phillip and Pieter.
I know I am bombarding you with, perhaps, unnecessary detail, but have attached another province's ideas on distinctive diaconate (Kansas) ... they have thought through practical aspects such as title and dress of the Deacon (grey clerical shirts!!!)- to distinguish them from priests, as well as the nature of the Deacon's ministry and liturgical role. Perhaps I am feeling a sense of urgency, because I do know that work is being done on a new Anglican Prayer Book - would it not be good if the Distinctive Deacon's liturgical role could be spelled out unambiguously - so that when this prayer book goes to print the information on the liturgical role of the Deacon is there (after all, who knows how long it will take before the next Prayer Book comes into being!).”

On 3rd August 2013 the second meeting of Diocese of Highveld deacons was held (well all three of the total of five distinctive deacons plus one transitional deacon). Lawlor reported on the Diakonia Assembly in Berlin. The discussion is reported below in full:

“Discussion centred on 5 points: 1. diaconal ministry, 2. the role of the deacon (including confusion within parishes and diocese about the liturgical role of the deacon),3. the composition of a body of deacons in our Diocese and 4. forming an Order of Deacons of the Highveld, 5. Outreach programmes and social responsibility and social justice programmes of our Diocese .

4.1. Under point No. 1 of the report, the 4 "P's" of diaconal ministry as the agents of Christ, resonated with the Highveld deacons: The priestly (as in intercessory prayer for the Church), pastoral, prophetic and professional (agents for change and transformation in our times) service to which deacons are called. The expression of ministry in these 4 aspects they acknowledged as being closely linked to the individual giftedness of the each deacon, an expression and celebration of the diversity of their servant vocation through and in Christ for the Church. Some deacons spoke about their own expression of ministry within their own parishes(pastoral, social outreach etc.)

4.2. The role of the deacon, and recognition of the role of deacon, specifically the liturgical role of the deacon was hotly debated. Issues experienced worldwide and reported in the feedback on Diakonia Berlin had resonated with the Highveld Deacons!

It would seem that this is one of the most contentious and painful issues for deacons in our Diocese. It became apparent that there was some recognition within the Diocese and across parishes of some aspects of this role, but no consensus. This leads to a fair amount of confusion and a sense of insecurity for the deacons regarding their role. The deacons believe that direction from the Bishop would be useful.

This then led to a thorough discussion of the diaconate within the Diocese and whether or not the transitional deacons should be part of a grouping of deacons within the Diocese. The consensus was that the transitional deacons should be part of such a grouping as a valuable part of their formation - needing to be thoroughly and wholeheartedly diaconal in their ministry before being ordained as priests. It was believed that if the office of deacon is treated as a "waiting room" for the priesthood, it devalues the office of the diaconate and has negative implications for vocational deacons in particular and the servant-ministry of the Church as a whole.

4.3. The composition of a body of deacons in our Diocese. The input of the transitional deacon (Votile) together with the views of the majority of distinctive deacons (Piet, Barbara, Dunstan) present, led to an agreement that a body of this nature be formed - consisting of transitional and distinctive (vocational) deacons, meetings to take place 3 - 4 times per year - if the Bishop so agrees. It was felt that the Warden of Deacons should be the Bishop of our Diocese.

4.4. Order of Deacons of the Highveld. There was agreement that an Order of Deacons of the Highveld be instituted - if the Bishop agrees. Should there be agreement to such an Order, it was agreed that Diakonia Worldwide and DRAE (Diakonia, Region Africa and Europe) be joined, which would carry an annual fee of 4 Euro per person (approx .. R50 per person per annum at current exchange rates). It was further agreed that to save on banking costs, this be paid for a period of 3 years in advance. The foundation document to be the pamphlet on Highveld Deacons as agreed upon after the last meeting. It was furthermore agreed to open an account through the Diocese to build up sufficient funds to send one delegate of this Order to Dlakonia Worldwide every four years.

4.5 Outreach programmes, social responsibility and social justice programmes of Diocese. It was believed that these could be headed up by ordained deacons (e.g. HABSR, Siyalalela, etc.)”

At the next meeting on 30 November 2013 it was agreed to form a Highveld association of distinctive and transitional deacons and to join Diakonia Region Africa and Europe (DRAE) if they could get a minimum of 8 members. Currently there was a membership of six deacons (Barbara Morrison, Phillip Laurings, Pieter Wesseloo, Gwynne Lawlor, Dunstan Manentsa, and Lulama Ndebele) anticipated to grow to nine. Annual membership fee was to be R50 per annum. The Diocesan Administrator had a special fund for the Order of Deacons with enough funds in it to send a delegate to the next Diakonia Assembly in 2017. Distinctive deacons would be sent to such assemblies in order of seniority, if not already retired.

In a communication from Lawlor to Bannerman on 5 December 2013 she said:

“By the way, I still find it difficult to imagine a "non-liturgical" deacon (as mentioned by Deacon P. Wesseloo) ... it is almost a contradiction in terms. The deacon's visible role at the Eucharist (the liturgical role) for me, holds all other roles of the deacon together, connecting church scattered to church gathered.”

On 18 December 2013 Bishop Bannerman signed the application to join the Diakonia World Federation.

2014

On 4 January 2014 Lawlor wrote to Fr Tom Amoore on a schedule he had prepared on the liturgical role of the deacon and she asked the following question:

“Do you believe that the role of deacon in the church today (Anglican Church specifically) is still relevant? If so, I really would appreciate you telling me how you see the overall role, ministry and responsibilities of the deacon - outside of the liturgical function? I think that this is important to know and to discuss with our clergy in general sometime in the future.”

She also described the experiences of a deacon from the Natal diocese:

“Recently I had contact with a Natal deacon, whose tale of his road to ordination was one of the saddest and most bizarre I have ever heard. I may have told you about it, if so please forgive the repetition. I cannot forget this story, and wonder how common this is.

Many years ago, this man was asked by his priest and fellow parishioners whether he felt called by God to the diaconate - they clearly saw a calling in him. He acknowledged his deep desire to serve the Lord and was encouraged to submit an application to his Diocese, with the full support of his parish priest and members of his parish. He heard nothing after that. In the meantime he registered for a degree in theology (he had taken early retirement from his position as Headmaster of a school). Years passed and he soldiered on, serving his God in his community and studying theology. He qualified with a doctorate in theology and still had heard nothing. In the meantime, parish priests had changed. After 12 years a female priest, working in the Diocese, asked him to assist her. She was clearly curious about him, asked him if he had ever considered ordination. He told her his story. She checked the files in the diocesan office - there was one with his name on it, but it was empty! The upshot of this all was that he was ordained in the shortest possible time in
lis own parish church and now continues to serve his God and his people ....... as a retired deacon. Is this an example of the kind of humility we are called to demonstrate in serving our Lord!?

Maybe - Or was it an honest and tragic mistake on the part of the Diocese? Perhaps. Or could it be an example of what happens these days, a lack of support for all those who seek to serve? From my social work perspective I wonder if this is also a degree of spiritual, emotional and clerical abuse - a lack of caring. I also see it as a terrible waste of resources which could have been used to build up the church.
What can we possibly learn from this?

I am still flabbergasted, but know that God's timing is always perfect!”

On 22 June the Highveld Deacons were officially informed that DIAKONIA-DRAE had unanimously accepted their application for membership.

2015

On 25 April, Gwynne Lawlor wrote to the Archbishop:

“Your Grace,
The Diaconate is growing in other parts of the world and in other denominations – the Roman Catholic Church has been ordaining married men as deacons in large numbers in the United States and elsewhere. The Deacons of the Church of England in the United Kingdom suggest that the diaconate is growing for such a time as this. A time in which the Church once again requires the ministry and services of deacons, much as the Apostles did in the Early Church. We have only to look at our news headlines to know that this is true. We remind ourselves daily that we as Anglicans of this Province are: Anchored in the love of Christ, Committed to God’s Mission, Transformed by the Holy Spirit.

In our daily prayers we seek ways to put into practice that to which we Anglicans have committed ourselves. God’s Mission! To achieve this, I believe, we need both Priest and Deacon working side by side together with the laity to build God’s Kingdom.

We are ordaining priests, who have their hands full looking after the faithful in their parishes – but what about the marginalized? So often they slip through the cracks. It need not be so!
What about the pressing issues facing us in the Twenty-First Century – global warming being but one of these. As Church a stand needs to be taken, as your Grace pointed out in a recent letter to the Faithful.

But … who will go … who shall be sent?

What about your deacons? Your deacons are so often men and women called later in life to ministry, with skills from business, nursing, social work, teaching, many other professions and community leadership. They are ready and able to do the work you send them to do, just as those first deacons were ready after the Apostles had laid hands upon them for the work of the Church.

Your Grace knows that the three fold order, foundational to our tradition, and indeed to the Church, has been consistently eroded, to the point where one may as well speak of a two-fold order – Bishop and Priest. Those who are called to the Distinctive Diaconate often find themselves pushed into the Priesthood because of the lack of priests. Those of us who dare to remain true to our calling to the Diaconate are deemed half-priests or failed priests.

This is very painful! Our Anglican Church is not quite sure what to do with us…. There seems to be precious little recognition of the legitimacy of the call, role and function of the Deacon in the Church of our Province and yet this call, role and this function are, we believe, vital to the Great Commission in our world today.

It is for this reason, that distinctive deacons of the Dioceses of Cape Town, The Highveld and Grahamstown, within the Province you shepherd, have been working together to explore the nature of their call and their ministry to help build and strengthen our Church for the challenges we face today. I have been to DIAKONIA in Berlin in 2013, a gathering of more than 400 deacons from all over the world from mainly Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist denominations, and have passed on new learning to the other Orders of Deacons. The Highveld Deacons are sending a deacon to the regional meeting, Diakonia Region Africa and Europe, to be held in Scandinavia in July of this year. We hope to bring what we learn back to the Deacons of our own Province.

Much has already been done in the Diocese of the Highveld, and in the Diocese of Cape Town to strengthen the Order of Deacons. Much still needs to be done – without the support of our Archbishop and our Bishops the diaconate will continue to limp along and may even cease altogether.

As deacons, we are mooting a Conference of Deacons of our Province – and with your permission – would like to meet perhaps early in December at the College of Transfiguration to explore what it means to be a deacon of the Province, of our Diocese and of our Parishes at this time in history in our church and society.

If your Grace believes that we are not mistaken in our call for such a time as this in our Province, that the distinctive diaconate is relevant for our times and the ministry to which we as Church are called, we would welcome your support.

In prayerful anticipation of your answer.”

Lawlor received confirmation from the Archbishop that a Fellowship of Deacons could be instituted.

In July 2015 a representative of the Highveld deacons, Deacon Barbara Morrison, attended the Diakonia Region Africa and Europe (DRAE) conference, “The Eye of the Storm. Diaconia – the biblical challenge for the whole church in the world we live in”, in Kongshaug, Norway. Her travel and accommodation costs were paid for by DRAE.

After Archbishop Magoba gave permission to call a conference of Anglican deacons in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, the first ever Conference of Deacons was held in Grahamstown (Makhanda) in November 2015. It was attended by 22 representatives from four dioceses (Highveld, Kimberley and Kuruman, Cape Town and Grahamstown). At that time there were more deacons in the Western and Eastern Cape than elsewhere. The Conference was essentially a discussion forum on the nature and future of the diaconate in Southern Africa. The Archbishop had also confirmed that a Fellowship of Deacons could be instituted.

2016

In an email from Lawlor to the Highveld deacons on on 5 January she states that she has set up a Facebook page as Deacon Gwynne Lawlor as a:

“temporary measure until we have our Deacon's place on both our Diocesan (Bishop's secretary is working on this) and the Provincial (Canon Cynthia Botha is working on this) Web-site respectively.

The January 2014 report of the Highveld Deacons noted that there were 8 paid up members ( 2 transitional deacons, 5 distinctive deacons and one priest (an archdeacon). All the deacons were involved in parish work.

The first 2016 meeting of the Highveld Deacons was held on 14 January.

On 21 January 2016 Bishop Charles May wrote to the archdeacons saying that he had asked one of the deacons to give a brief presentation to all of the Archdeaconries. A document prepared by the Highveld deacons for the next synod would also be made available at these meetings.

In an email from Lawlor to the Bishop’s secretary on 28 January she states:

“Canon Cynthia Botha has promised me a dedicated Provincial Deacon Page on the Provincial Website.”

Work then began on the drafting of a motion on the very comprehensive “Guidelines on the Ministry of Deacons” for the next Highveld Synod to be proposed by Fr Tom Amoore and seconded by Deacon Gwynne Lawlor.

In an email from Lawlor to Fr Tim Amoore on 7 June 2016, she writes:

“There are a few points I would like to see changed.

1. The issue of a deacon resigning when a new parish priest is appointed.
The sentiment in the archdeaconries I did visit was that this seemed to be going too far, and if deacons had to resign then why not also assistant priests. It was felt that it was sufficient that any written agreement on a deacon's duties in a parish be renegotiated when a new incumbent is installed in a parish. I agree. I do think rewriting the contract would be good enough. Perhaps we could change the Highveld document accordingly?
2. Preaching. Once a quarter is perhaps too little.
I know for myself that the less I preach, the more difficult I find it to get back into preaching. I overcome that by preparing almost every Sunday - even if I know I am not preaching. Perhaps once a month could be considered? Also would need to include training in preaching in the pre- and post-ordination training.
3. Liturgical duties.
There is no reason why the deacon should not serve every Sunday at the altar, working on different Sundays with different priests in the parish in the different chapelries or outstations, or at different Sunday services if there is more than one service as per a roster. I should think this would be parish specific, but not having a deacon at the altar undermines what we are trying to achieve - to fix in the minds of the parishioners and the clergy that priest and deacon collaborate in a parish setting, and that the deacon is rooted in the liturgy of the church. This does not mean that the deacon always has to be the synaxist - the deacon could share aspects of synaxing with the lay-minister - retaining only that which specifically pertains to the deacon?
4. As far as age is concerned - why 68 ,and not 70?
Deacons are in general non-stipendiary, so are not affected by church pensions. One could argue that they could be licensed up to 68, with the possibility of extending the licence year by year at the Bishop's discretion (upon request by the parish) until they are 70 years of age, or could be assigned to diocesan work instead after 68??
What is the age limit for lay-ministers (70 or 75?).
Before we circulate this to the other deacons, I would like to know what you think of the points I have raised.
I am coming up for clergy day - as you know the Bishop has asked us to present on the diaconate -because not all archdeaonries have extended an invitation for us to address them, despite a request from the bishop. I would like to have this document completed by then, and to hand it out at clergy day as a way of smoothing the process (I had handed the previous Highveld document out to the clergy of the archdeaconries I did visit).”

The Second Provincial Deacons Conference was held at Lumko Retreat Centre in Benoni on 1-4 December 2016. Participants gave the sessions very positive evaluations. The Conference included a session on the diaconate of the Methodist Church and an outing related to Orthodox Church deacons.

In a “Note for the Record of a Steering Committee for the Conference” the membership is listed:

Fr Andrew Manning (Natal)
Deacon John Aitchison (Natal)
Deacon Sharon deVos (Cape Town)
Archdeacon Cynthia Webstock (Grahamstown)
Deacon Siphokazi Njokweni (Grahamstown)
Archdeacon Ruth Swartz (False Bay)
Deacon Charles Simms (False Bay)
Deacon Lindiwe Mdhluli (Free State)
Deacon Pule Isaac Moluila (Free State)
Deacon Nunu Shago (Free State)
Fr Tom Amoore (Highveld)
Deacon Gwynne Lawlor (Highveld)
Deacon Pieter Weseloo (Highveld)
Deacon Joan Jones (Pretoria)

It was recommended that a liaison bishop was needed, a report compiled for the Archbishop, and the life of the current steering committee extended, to consist, in general, of one deacon and the deacon’s chaplain (priest or deacon) in each Diocese.

The report was sent on 8 December 2016, to the Archbishop (and to Bishops of dioceses who had sent deacons to the conference):

"REPORT ON ACSA CONFERENCE OF DEACONS HELD 01-04 DEC AT LUMKO, BENONI.

Dear Archbishop Thabo Makhoba,

The deacons of the Highveld who organized this year’s ACSA Conference of Deacons wish to record their gratitude to you, Archbishop, and to the eight Bishops who supported the endeavours of the deacons to grow through fellowship. Thank you all very much for your unstinting support for the revitalization of the distinctive diaconate in our Anglican Communion of Southern Africa.

Last year four dioceses sent deacons to the conference in Grahamstown and 22 delegates came, most of whom were Grahamstown deacons. This year we had 8 dioceses represented at the conference at Lumko Retreat Center in Benoni: The dioceses of Cape Town, Grahamstown, Free State, Mpumalanga, Pretoria, Natal, Highveld and False Bay. All in all more than 34 delegates attended the conference, together with the additional day visitors. The small gospel books you, Archbishop Thabo, donated last year were handed out once again to all the delegates. Your message to the deacons was read out by Bishop Charles May, who opened the Conference with a Eucharist service to welcome the delegates to the Diocese of the Highveld. It was greatly appreciated.

The Bishop of the Highveld also handed each diaconal order a candle with their own diocesan emblem, as well as that of the Diocese of the Highveld, to symbolize the need to take back the learning from this Conference to the deacons of their own dioceses.

The speakers were outstanding (presentations on Godly Play and Social Outreach by Highveld ministries; presentations on the nature of the diaconate and training for the diaconate of Methodist and Roman Catholic Churches; History of the diaconate and training needs in the Anglican Church by Deacon John Aitchison; Explanation of Greek Orthodox diaconate and a practical demonstration in a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church – they arranged to sing Vespers for us, taking the place of our Evening Prayer. Relationship between priest and deacon in liturgical role was presented by Fr Tom Amoore.). All presentations were of a high standard, delivered by experts in their field, who had given their time and expertise free of charge to the Conference organizers. The ACSA deacons are indebted to them in their generous gifts of their time and their knowledge. A small token of appreciation was given to each speaker – the deacon saint booklet sent to you last year.

The enthusiasm generated by the Conference was great! A need to be more culturally diverse in the choice of hymns and the services was raised and acknowledged. A request for hardcopy handouts of the presentations was made, but this would add greatly to the cost of the Conference to individual deacons. There is not a great deal of financial support for deacons coming to the conference, very few are fully supported, but some are partially subsidized and some not at all, having to raise their own funds. However, the outcome was very exciting and a 3rd conference is in the pipeline for December 2017. Choices of dioceses were indicated at the conference, but the decision lies with the bishop concerned. The theme for the next Conference will be the Deacons Ministry: “From the Altar to the Street.”

A steering committee of 16 people has been appointed, consisting of two delegates from each diocese present at this conference- where possible a chaplain (priest) and deacon. They are there to liaise with their bishop and clergy. They will also function in a supportive role to the organizers of the next conference. (Organization is always in the hands of the hosting diocese.) A website manager has been appointed (Deacon Sipho Msize from the Mpumalanga province) and Deacon Pieter Wesseloo continues to do the work of a bursar as regards ACSA deacons funds held in the Diocese of the Highveld.

Copies of some of the presentations will be emailed to the members of the steering committee for further distribution if necessary. The presentations from the Methodist and Catholic deacons, as well as that of Prof John Aitchison, deacon in the Diocese of Natal, would be of interest to the FOV and Training rectors in dioceses.

A worrying factor was feedback from some of the deacons that information on the Conference had not been received timeously and it became obvious that the various dioceses do not pass on the information on the deacons conference. In discussing ways to overcome this block, a need for a liaison Bishop for the Order of Deacons in the Province was identified, and possible choices, subject to the agreement of the Archbishop and the Bishops, were identified, based on the bishops suggested by the deacons having shown considerable interest in the revitalization of the diaconate.

The Methodist and Roman Catholic presenters both expressed a desire to continue contact among deacons of our different denominations, and the Warden of Deacons of the Methodist Church has invited myself and one other Anglican deacon to their week-long Convocation of Deacons in April next year.

I attach the collated evaluations, the deliberations of the steering committee and the presentations on the diaconate and diaconal formation from these two denominations for your interest, and for the interest of the eight bishops who sent deacons to the Conference.”

Unfortunately the Steering Committee never functioned effectively.

2017

Lawlor, on 4 January 2017, in an email to the Highveld Deacons writes:

“Building up the diaconate in our own Diocese will require much prayer and discernment.
Perhaps we also need to explore getting permission from our Bishop, our own parish priests and the various archdeacons to preach on the diaconate so that our own people can learn about the distinctive diaconate as a vocation. Pre and post-ordination training requirements for deacons is another area to look at and perhaps we need to be inviting those priests who carry this responsibility to one of our meetings.
It would also be good to hear what your own plans are in exercising diaconal ministry in your parish settings.”

She also mentions that the Diocese of the False Bay has been asked whether it could host the next Conference of Deacons.

The draft agenda of for a meeting to be held with Bishop Charles on 6 February read:

“1) State of diaconate in Diocese of Highveld
2) Discernment and training of deacons?
3) Permission to preach on diaconate in other parishes on sundays at invitation of parish priest/ archdeacon
4) Funds built up for highveld diaconate-discussion re transfer of fund to provincial deacons fund should distinctive diaconate cease to exist in our diocese
...
8) Permission to approach neighbouring dioceses (Christ the King/Johannesburg)”

On 22 June 2017, Horace Arenz, the Provincial Excutive Officer, emailed Lawlor about Provincial Standing Commitee and Synod representation:

“In terms of Canon 43.3.(a) (ii), the Metropolitan shall nominate 2 representatives of the permanent Diaconate to the Provincial Standing Committee meeting which will be held from 27 to 29 September 2017 at the Kopanong Conference Centre in Benoni. These 2 representatives should be the same persons who represented the Permanent Diaconate at the Provincial Synod which was held in Sept of last year. Can you please let me have the names and email addresses of the 2 reps persons who represented the Permanent Diaconate at last year's Prov Synod? If you did not have reps at the Prov Synod then the Canon makes provision 2 new reps to be appointed - if this is the case then please let me have the names and email addresses of the new reps - that is if the Permanent Diaconate was not represented last year.”

Deacon Pieter Wesseloo attended the DIAKONIA conference in Chicago, United States of America, in late June 2017.

In an email on 23 September from Fr Tom Amoore to Joan Jones about her attendance at the Provincial Standing Committee he said:

“There are just two matters affecting Deacons;

The first is in Agendum 7, the report of the advisory board on Theological education and training for ministry. On page 3 of the report there is a paragraph headed "Minimum qualification for ordination". There it is stated that the minimum qualification is a diploma serving as an entry to a B Th degree. The Question;
"In the report from the Advisory Board on Theological Education and tra!!1ing for Ministry" the minimum qualification for ordination is given as a diploma which will serve as an entry for a B Th degree. Is it intended that this apply both to the Diaconate and to those discerned as called to the priesthood being ordained to the transitional diaconate? Has consideration been given to a separate qualification for those discerned as called to the Diaconate?"

The second is from agendum 25, the report of the College of the Transfiguration. There the number of students is given. However there is no indication as to whether they are all being trained for the priesthood or whether there are some being trained for the Diaconate.
The Question; "in the report of the College of the Transfiguration, it is stated that there are 44 students at the college. Are there any who have been discerned as called to the Diaconate, and if so how many? ”

On 23 September Gwynne Lawlor in an email to Tom Amoore composed a greeting for use in the Provincial Standing Committee:

“Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Laity of the Anglican Communion of Southern Africa here present at the PSC in Benoni,

The Conference of Deacons of the Anglican Communion of Southern Africa, as called together in 2015 with the blessing of the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, and with the initial support of the Bishops of Grahamstown, Cape Town, Kimberley and Kuruman and the Highveld, wish to submit their greetings to you. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the Bishops of these and other dioceses who have given their support to the revitalization of the distinctive diaconate in our Anglican Communion.
Thank you for having given us the opportunity to send representatives of the Conference of Deacons to the PSC. Please be assured of the prayers of all the deacons of this Anglican Province, who are in those dioceses who have welcomed and supported the Conference of Deacons, that the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be evident in all decisions made at this gathering.”

A motion for the Provincial Standing Committee was drafted to be proposed by Lawlor:

“Given that there is no clarity in the Canons as to the role of the Permanent Deacon within the Parish or Diocese within our Province, and given that the Deacon is part of the threefold order of Bishop, Priest and Deacon within the Anglican Communion in General and in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa in particular, and this lack of clarity about the ministry, role and responsibilities of the deacon in the Parish is creating confusion and limiting the vital servant ministry of the deacon, we respectfully request that the Canon Law Society update canons to list the duties, role and responsibilities of the permanent deacons in ACSA.

And although there is reference to the role of the deacon in the Anglican Prayer book, we respectfully request that the Bishops of the Dioceses of ACSA consider a resolution of permanent force be implemented in their Diocese on these roles and responsibilities (in the interim).”

Then another was drafted:

“MOTION ARISING FROM THE REPORT ON THE FELLOWSHIP OF DEACONS

Noting that
There is an omission in terms of the duties of a distinctive deacon in the Prayer Book, this creates a lack of clarity among both clergy and laity.

Therefore this PSC respectfully requests that the Synod of Bishops be asked to;

1. examine the role and ministry of permeant deacons in the Province with a view to recognizing the distinctive vocation to the Holy Order of Deacons, as discerned in respective Dioceses.
2. Apply their minds to this anomaly, to release a directive that would explain to the church the distinctive nature of the role of the permanent deacon as opposed to the transitional deacon.

Proposer: Revd. Dr. George Palmer (Diocese of Christ the King)
Seconder: Bishop Charles May (Diocese of Highveld)”

The “Minutes of the Provincial Standing Committee” held 27 to 29 September have two motions:

(p. 6)

“MOTION ARISING FROM THE FELLOWSHIP OF DEACONS REPORT

The Ven. Dr George Palmer, seconded by Bishop Charles May proposed
that this PSC;

Noting there is an omission in terms of the duties of a distinctive deacon in the Anglican Prayer Book, thereby creating a lack of clarity among both clergy and laity.

Therefore respectfully requests that the "Synod of Bishops be asked to:

1. Examine the role and ministry of permanent deacons in the Province with a· view to recognising the distinctive vocation to the Holy Order of deacons, as discerned in respective dioceses.
2. Apply their minds to this anomaly, and to release a directive that would explain to the church the distinctive nature of the role of the permanent deacon as opposed to that of the transitional deacon.

PSC agreed that debate on this motion would be suspended for amendment.”

and (pp. 9-10):

“MOTION ARISING FROM THE REPORT ON THE FELLOWSHIP OF DEACONS

Archdeacon George Palmer proposed and Bishop Charles May seconded the following:

Noting that:

1. ACSA has recognized that the ordained ministry of the Church is a 3-fold ministry of deacons, priests and bishops; and
2. Celebrating the ministry of those who are discerned to the distinctive and permanent ministry of a deacon in the church;

Calls upon the Archbishop to establish a Commission* to investigate the ministry of the distinctive and permanent diaconate and to report to Provincial Synod 2019.

* The Archbishop may in his discretion make use of the following structures for this purpose: The Advisory Board for Theological Education and/or the Provincial Liturgical Committee.

The motion as amended was passed.”

2018

In early 2018 Bishop Charles may was appointed Liaison Bishop with the Order of Deacons.

On 14 March 2018 Lawlor emailed the Provincial Executive Officer, Horace Arenz:

“1. I have made contact with the Bishops' office and have confirmed that the 21st April is the next regional deacons meeting and this has been noted in Bishop Charles, our liaison bishop's diary. It is hoped that on that date Bishop Charles will be able to meet with the Highveld, Pretoria and Rustenburg deacons to discuss and complete the OoD report. If not we will draw this up and consult with him. The report will be forwarded to you before 15 June 2018.
2. I attach below your email dd June 22, 2017, to me regarding the Interim Provincial Standing Committee where two deacons were required to attend, in terms of Canon 43.3.(a)(ii).
Should that not be the case this year too?
If no other deacon has been nominated by the Metropolitan, I would appreciate it if Deacon Joan Jones of the Pretoria Diocese could join me at PSC this year. Deacon Joan was one of the representatives in 2017, taking my place because of my prior commitment to our Diocesan Cursillo. The other 2017 representative Den Wulana has since been ordained priest.”

The attached email of 22 June 2017 was from Horace Arenz, about Provincial Standing Committee and Synod representation:

“In terms of Canon 43.3.(a) (ii), the Metropolitan shall nominate 2 representatives of the permanent Diaconate to the Provincial Standing Committee meeting which will be held from 27 to 29 September 2017 at the Kopanong Conference Centre in Benoni. These 2 representatives should be the same persons who represented the Permanent Diaconate at the Provincial Synod which was held in Sept of last year. Can you please let me have the names and email addresses of the 2 reps persons who represented the Permanent Diaconate at last year's Prov Synod? If you did not have reps at the Prov Synod then the Canon makes provision 2 new reps to be appointed - if this is the case then please let me have the names and email addresses of the new reps - that is if the Permanent Diaconate was not represented last year.”

The Third Provincial Conference of Deacons was held from 13 to 16 September 2018 hosted by the Diocese of False Bay in Stellenbosch. It was attended by 42 people, an Interim Constitution approved and a Committee elected. An offer was made to host the next conference by the Diocese of Grahamstown at East London in 2019. [This was shifted to early 2019 and then became a vctim of COVID.] Furthermore, the deacons were encourage to find ways in which they could support each other in four regions - South Region, East Coast, Central Region and Northern Region - and to find ways to identify a central gathering point in these regions.

Plans were made to hold a regional meeting of deacons from the dioceses of Highveld, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The Highveld Deacons held the last meeting of the year on 17 November 2018.

0n 5 December Joan Jones emailed Cynthia Botha:

“I would like to see some direction for daily/evening services to be held at the home after the death of a person. I was asked to organize services for a family after the death of their child. As a white person I I had no clue what to do and had to phone around until I found a black priest who could assist me. It was the most incredible and rewarding experience. I believe that it should be done for all cultures. To have this service would assist clergy to cut across all boundaries. The use of choruses during this service was very moving.

Traditionally Deacons called the people into service. Deacons should call the people to repentance, do the peace, the Lord's Prayer, the dismissal (at the back of the Church) and introduce the sections in bold in the Eucharistic Prayers. Deacons also prepare the Table and do the ablutions.

Deacons should also be included in the rubrics. At the moment the Priests say that only layministers can assist as there is no mention in the rubrics about Deacons.”

In late 2018 (or in 2019) Lawlor wrote a question, directed to the Archbishop, for provincial synod:

“QUESTION TO PROVINCIAL SYNOD:

Your Grace,

As recorded in the Minutes of Provincial Standing Committee September 2018, a Motion was passed for the establishment of a Commission to investigate the ministry of the permanent diaconate, utilizing The Advisory Board for Theological
Education and/or the Provincial Liturgical Committee for this purpose.

However such a Commission does not appear to have been set up.

I would therefore respectfully enquire from the Archbishop when such a Commission would be set up and who would be the responsible person with whom I could communicate.

Deacon Gwynne Lawlor”

Then Lawlor wrote to Bishop Eddie Daniels:

“Dear Bishop Eddie,

Further to your request for an indication of the Terms of Reference for a Commission to investigate the ministry of the distinctive and permanent diaconate.

I am taking the opportunity to give you some of the historical background, before coming to the Terms of Reference (the formulation of which are dependent on your clear thinking!), from 2018 onwards.

Motion recorded on Pg 6 of PSC 2018 Minutes - 28 Sep 2018 read as follows:

"MOTION ARISING FROM THE FELLOWSHIP OF DEACONS REPORT

The Ven. Dr George Palmer, seconded by Bishop Charles May proposed that this PSC;

Noting there is an omission in terms of the duties of a distinctive deacon in the Anglican Prayer Book, thereby creating a lack of clarity among both clergy and
laity.

Therefore respectfully requests that the Synod of Bishops be asked to:

1. Examine the role and ministry of permanent deacons in the Province with a view to recognizing the distinctive vocation to the Holy Order of deacons, as discerned in respective dioceses.
2. Apply their minds to this anomaly, and to release a directive that would explain to the church the distinctive nature of the role of the permanent deacon as opposed to that of the transitional deacon."

PSC agreed that debate on this motion would be suspended for amendment.

On page 9 of the Minutes, the amended Motion was recorded as follows:

"MOTION ARISING FROM THE REPORT ON THE FELLOWSHIP OF DEACONS

Archdeacon Dr George Palmer proposed and Bishop Charles May seconded the following:

Noting that:

1. ACSA has recognized that the ordained ministry of the curch is a 3-fold ministry of deacons, priests and bishops; and
2. Celebrating the ministry of those who are discerned to the distinctive and permanent ministry of a deacon in the church;
Calls upon the Archbishop to establish a Commission* to investigate the ministry of the distinctive and permanent diaconate and to report to Provincial Synod 2019.

*The Archbishop may in his discretion make use of the following structures for this purpose: The Advisory Board for Theological Education and/or the Provincial Liturgical Committee.

The motion as amended was passed."

I enquired in June from the PEO as to whether there had been any work done as decided upon at Synod, and was told that nothing had been done. I explored the possibility of submitting a Motion to explore this, but was advised to submit a question.

QUESTION TO PROVINCIAL SYNOD:

Your Grace,

As recorded in the Minutes of Provincial Standing C6mmittee September 2018, a Motion was passed for the establishment of a Commission to investigate the ministry of the permanent diaconate, utilizing The Advisory Board for Theological Education and/or the Provincial Liturgical Committee for this purpose.

However such a Commission does not appear to have been set up.

I would therefore respectfully enquire from the Archbishop when such a Commission would be set up and who would be the responsible person with whom I could communicate.

Deacon Gwynne Lawlor
Fellowship of ACSA Deacons

The response from Provincial Synod was that nothing had been done .... And the task was then handed to you.

What I would like to have explored ... or see as the terms of Reference for the Commission are the follows:

1. The Office of Deacon
2. The Ministry of the Deacon
3. The Vocation of the Deacon
4. The Formation of the Deacon.

5. The re-instatement of the Office of Deacon in the canons of the Province
and in the Resolutions of the various Dioceses favourably oriented towards the Diaconate.

As regards 1. And 2. The Prayer book gives us some information on the Office of Deacon in the Service of Ordination.

The Canons say very little.

Deacons
Age of Ordination Canon 18 Pg 54,
Qualifications for Ordination ActVI Pg 161
Representation at Provincial Synod ? I have been told by the PEO that The Fellowship of ACSA Deacons has two seats at PSC and one at Provincial Synod but cannot find where this is written in the Canons (Pg24?). We have a right to speak but not to vote, which we have exercised since 2017.

The Canons do say a lot more about the licensing and ministry of Lay-ministers (Canon 20. Pg 55), which leaves the deacons out on a limb!
You have a copy of the Resolution of Permanent Force passed at Highveld Diocesan Synod. It would be great to see this generally accepted in AC5A.”

2019

A meeting was held with Bishop Charles on 11 February 2019. The minutes note:

“3. Building the Highveld Diaconate (distinctive)
Concern was expressed by Deacon Gwynne on the lack of deacons in our Diocese, given that Bishop Charles is Liaison Bishop for the Diaconate in ACSA. Currently, in our Diocese of the Highveld, there are 4 active deacons, and two deacons who do not attend diocesan deacons' meetings, despite being invited. One of them is active in youth ministry (Happening) and the other is currently largely inactive but had been involved in VOCARE. Most of the deacons are near or over retirement age. In comparison Diocese of Grahamstown boasts 33 deacons. Other Dioceses are actively exploring growing their distinctive diaconate (Christ the King to ordain 3 in Lent this year), in others a start
was made and has petered out (Natal, Pretoria).

So far there has been only one person discerned to test her vocation to the distinctive diaconate in the Diocese. She is currently in FOV. One other person was mentioned as seeming to have a diaconal calling. Bishop to make that discernment.

One of the obstacles to raising up deacons would appear to be lack of understanding among priests and laity, as well as those testing their vocation, about the distinctive role and ministry of the deacon.

Bishop spoke about the need to refocus from FOV (Fellowship of Vocation) ... which raised expectations of ordination to the priesthood among those who attended, to FOX (Fellowship of Exploration), which would be an exploration of calling - whether that be to a ministry for laity or to ordained ministry (priest or deacon).
Bishop asked whether Dcn Gwynne had been asked to address FOV on the Diaconate, (Confirmed for 09 March).

4. Awareness raising within the Diocese on the Distinctive Diaconate.
It was decided that an Open Day be planned on (Date?) to grow awareness on the calling to lay ministry and ordained ministry- priest and deacon. It was also decided that the discussion on the vocation to and ministry of the distinctive diaconate be presented once again at Clergy Day (14 May?) to our priests.

5. License to be a Deacon
Deacon Emily Hlangane's license Is due to expire this year, discussions would need to be held with her parish and herself regarding extending her license, if the Bishop so agrees.
Dcn Gwynne reminded the Bishop that her own license to be a deacon would be expiring on her 70th birthday in August. The Bishop was requested to give thought to extending the license for certain ministries currently held, or consideration be given to the handover of the various International (Board Member of Diakonia DRAE), ACSA (Chairperson of ACSA Deacons), Diocesan (Diocesan Counselling Board, Siyalela IGWA Supervision and Training, BOM) and Parish commitments currently held.

This to be at the Bishop's discretion, both as Diocesan Bishop and Liaison Bishop.”

On 26 April Horace Arenz emailed Lawlor:

“Subject: FW: Motion from PSC 2018 regarding Distinctive and Permanent Deacons

Dear Gwynne

Greetings. His Grace thanks you for your email. The Commission was not set up In view of this we would suggest that you present a Motion at Prov Synod asking on progress and/or requesting an urgent response post Prov Synod. Another way forward would be to forward your request to the Prov Synod Advisory Committee but given that the deadline for submissions has passed it may be held over. Please also bear in mind that Prof Barney Pityana's COTT Commission has incorporated most of the theological issues in ACSA, so you may want to make a submission when he speaks to the COTT Commission at Prov Synod. Do let me know how you wish to proceed.”

Lawlor responded on 2 May 2019:

“Subject: RE: Motion from PSC 2018 regarding Distinctive and Permanent Deacons

Dear Venerable Horace Arenz,

Thank you for your reply. I must apologize for my lack of understanding regarding the rules and procedures of PSC and Provincial Synod.

At PSC Deacon Joan Jones and I were told that we could not present a Motion, because we were not members of PSC, but only invited guests ( I was surprised as I had thought we had regained seats at PSC?) - this is why we asked Fr Dr George Palmer to propose a Motion on our behalf at PSC last year, which was seconded by Bishop Charles May. It was contested in that format and resubmitted in another format by other Bishops {Pretoria I think?).

Who is responsible for setting up these Commissions post PSC? Did I fail in not following up on this? I think I need a Provincial Synod Procedures 101 lesson before going to Benoni later this year!!!!

If I am permitted to submit a Motion at Prov Synod asking on progress and/or requesting an urgent response post Prov Synod, I will certainly avail myself of this opportunity. I do need guidance though on this and on how to make a submission when Prof Barney Pityana speaks to the COTT Commission. ...

Would it be a good idea to communicate with him prior to Provincial Synod? Thank you for your support and your help.”

On 6 May Arenz replied:

“Thanks for your email. You were invited to PSC with a right to speak but not vote so not sure who told you that you could not present a Motion at PSC. Be that as is may, you may prepare your Motion and forward it to me before 8 June so that it can be included in the 2nd Agenda Book.”

On 24 August a regional meeting of deacons from the dioceses of Pretoria, Christ the King, Highveld and the Methodist deacons was held. Minutes included the following:

“2. OVERVIEW OF WHERE THE DIACONATE IS NOW IN ACSA AND IN THE METHODIST CHURCH

MOD SOUTHERN AFRICA: The Warden of MOD, Douw Grobler spoke on the history and development of the Methodist Order of Deacons, which started 124 years ago with the Order of Deaconesses. In their report to the Exco of DRAE for the Jubilee Conference, it was noted that the Order of Deacons has grown greatly in its diversity. It also noted that it has the potential to greatly increase the mission capacity of the church. The Methodist deacons do not bless the sacraments, nor do they baptize. However, many of them are stipendary.

The Methodist Deacons of Southern Africa have clarity on their ministry pathway: Ordination to Word and Sacrament (Presbyters) or Word and Service (Deacons). They have a much more stringent and well-defined path to ordination. Their preparation includes: Minimum of Nat. Dipl. In Theology, School of Vocation (3 x 3 day workshops), 4 year period of probation (practical training). There is also an Annual Deacons Convocation they attend.
Educational requirements for a Methodist deacon are the same as for a presbyter. Neither of the two ministers attend a seminary.

ACSA DEACONS: It was agreed that there was still no clear understanding of the role and function of the Permanent Deacon, that it is a constant and disempowering battle for identity, and a need to shift perceptions. Karl Jung was quoted: You need to tell people who you are .... Otherwise they will tell you!

However, in the last seven years some small and incremental gains had been made in restoring the diaconate in the Highveld Diocese and in ACSA. There had been 3 ACSA Conferences, supported by the Archbishop (in Dioceses of Grahamstown, Highveld, False Bay Diocese). The Permanent Diaconate has regained two places on the Provincial Standing Committee) with a right to speak but not to vote, and one place on Provincial Synod. A Liaison Bishop (Bishop Charles May was appointed to oversight and to champion the Diaconate). A Motion was passed at the previous PSC to look into the diaconate and report back to the coming Synod, but nothing much appears to have been done.

The Anglican Deacons are still battling to find a foothold and to be recognized as a relevant and necessary vocation within the Anglican Communion of Southern Africa. Within some of the Dioceses the Permanent Diaconate is growing (Christ the King, False Bay, Grahamstown) in others it is diminishing (Highveld Diocese), in others it has recently disappeared entirely (Cape Town) and in most it has never really existed. Much work still needs to be done.

In all cases ACSA deacons are non-stipendary, and in some cases they do not even get financial assistance to cover their church or ministry related travelling costs.

There is still no consensus or guidelines on the training of deacons, or their preparation for ordination.

Instead this appears to be piecemeal and dependent on local practice (in the parish) and in each individual Diocese. No minimum standards have been agreed upon.

3. ACSA PROVINCIAL CONFERENCES OF DEACONS, PAST AND FUTURE.

Past conferences, it was agreed, had been important in highlighting the gaps in understanding the distinctive ministry of the deacon. It also allowed for fellowship and support of deacons by deacons, as well as by priests and bishops. It was noted that the next ACSA Provincial Conference would be hosted
by the Grahamstown deacons. Information would be sent out when plans are formalized. A verbal invitation was extended to the Methodist deacons present.

4. LINKS WITH OTHER DENOMINATIONS, MEMBERSHIP OF DIAKONIA/DRAE.

The Highveld Deacons are members of DRAE. A brief description of this inter-denominational organization was given.
Deacon Emily gave a brief power-point presentation report-back on her attendance at the 25th Jubilee Conference of DRAE in Scotland and on her role as voting member at DRAE Scotland.
The Methodist deacons are also members of DRAE.
Deacon Douw Grobler, Warden of Deacons of Methodist Church, also shared some insights, as did Dcn Gwynne Lawlor, who currently represents the members of Diakonia DRAE in this area (Tanzania to South Africa).

5. FEEDBACK ON ROLE OF DEACONS IN THE VARIOUS DIOCESES BY DEACONS FROM EACH DIOCESE.

In this discussion some incidents of exploitation of the Anglican deacons emerged, e.g. Dcn E. Hlanyane (Highveld) noted that she served 4 priests and as a non stipendiary found herself often doing more than they did, and possibly more than a deacon was permitted to do. Some of the Highveld deacons spoke about being deliberately sidelined or actively excluded. In other cases there ministry was appreciated and used effectively. Christ the King deacons spoke about tensions between priest and deacons, but that the working relationship improved with greater clarity. They mentioned incidents of intimidation and the Chair gave a description of his own diaconate and discussed the problem of exploitation. He wondered whether the Bishops were aware of this exploitation of deacons in their Dioceses and said we would need to reflect on this.”

Gwynne Lawlor was invited to the Provincial Synod held on 24 to 27 September 2019 in Benoni.

2020

The agenda for a Zoom meeting of Highveld deacons on 18 August included:

“2. 4TH ACSA DEACON'S CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 2020 (Agreement sought for change from 4 day residential Conference to 2 x 3 or 4 hours virtual conference on two days between 24th and 27th November 2020 hosted by Grahamstown Diocese).

2.1. VENUES. Use of Highveld Diocese facilities from PSC for this Conference for delegates from this area. Require info on max. numbers of persons permitted (Bishop to indicate).

2.2 Possibility of 2 or more delegates from Christ the King, Pretoria, and Methodist deacons to join us if social distancing permits (Bishop Charles permission required). Require indication from Highveld deacons re attendance.

2.3 Please give input on possible program by email in advance. So far the following has been offered or suggested:

Potential Speakers):
First Day: 1. Bishop Charles (Open Conference - lead worship), 2. Bishop Eddie on PSC and status of 5 Terms of Reference for Commission and particularly on re-instating the Office of Deacon in the Canons of the Province. 3. Archdeacon Dr Beja - topic to be advised.

Second day: 4. It would be useful to have a speaker on the formation of a deacon. 5. Rep of ACRP on accreditation for General Ministry Practitioners. 6. Voting for Steering Committee and for Office Bearers (Prov Co-ordinator, Treasurer, Secretary).

3. FINANCES - Provincial: Reclaiming deposit paid to retreat center in East London?”

The Agenda Book for the virtual Provincial Standing Committee on 22 to 24 September, included a from the Fellowship of Deacons (p. 50):

2021

The Fellowship of Deacons submitted a report to the Provincial Synod.

In an email to Gwynne Lawlor on 6 September, Joan Jones wrote:

“Foreground
1 Is the Diaconate obsolete?
2 If not are we being blocked?
   1. Why are we being blocked? Are our personalities too strong or are we bucking 'the system'.
   2. If we are not is God blocking us? Are we on the wron,g path or posing a threat to the institution?

For consideration
1. Why were we ordained deacons? What is our ministry.
2. Are we on our own mission of self-indulgence? If not are we perceived to be leading and undermining the authority of the church? What threat do we pose and why?
3. Are we committed to serving God? If so is the Diaconate the only way?
4. Are the educational qualifications of Deacons putting them above priests? If so lower the qualifications. In rural areas they are essential because of limited income which limits numbers of priests. Are Deacons really necessary in urban areas? Can we have 2 tiers of educational?

Way forward for prayerful consideration
1. Is is our ministry an asset or hindrance to the church ?
2. How do we ascertain how and why we are being blocked?
3. How do we put our petition forward and to or through whom? Do we persevere regardless or just let the Diaconate die until there is another mini insurrection.
4. Point 4 above maybe changing one of the canons. If so what is the way forward?”

A small thinktank of four members of the Executive (Gwynne Lawlor, Joan Jones, Pieter Wesseloo and John Aitchison met at Wakkerstroom from 27 to 28 September 2021.

"Agenda

For consideration
1. Why were we ordained deacons? What is our ministry?
2. Are we on our own mission of self-indulgence? If not are we perceived to be leading and undermining the authority of the church? What threat do we pose and why?
3. Are we committed to serving God? If so is the Diaconate the only way?
4. Are the educational qualifications of Deacons putting them above priests? If so the qualifications should be lowered. In rural areas Deacons are essential because of limited income which limits numbers of priests. Are Deacons really necessary in urban areas? Can we have 2 tiers of educational qualifications for deacons?

A possible way forward for prayerful consideration.

1. Is our ministry an asset or hindrance to the church ?
2. How do we ascertain how and why the Diaconate is being blocked? That is the necessity for God's work has grown because there are more people yet there are fewer Deacons being ordained.
3. How do we put our petition forward and to or through whom? Do we persevere regardless or just let the Diaconate die until there is another mini insurrection.
4. Point 4 above maybe changing one of the canons. If so what is the way forward?"

On 5 November 2021 Gwynne Lawlor emailed the Archbishop:

"Dear Archbishop Thabo Makgoba

Would it be at all possible for some of our deacons to have a meeting with you, either virtually or in person, sometime before the end of the year?

I am making this request to you on behalf of a small group, drawn from the Executive of ACSA Fellowship deacons from three different Dioceses, who met for a few days recently to brainstorm the viability and visibility of the Distinctive (or Permanent) Diaconate in our Anglican Communion of Southern Africa.

The ACSA Fellowship that started off through much prayer and co-operation between the deacons of three dioceses at our first ACSA Deacons Conference in Grahamstown in 2015, and with such welcome support from you, as Archbishop of our Province, grew into something so much bigger than anticipated by 2018 at our 3rd ACSA Deacons Conference in the Diocese of False Bay, in which nine dioceses were represented. In this we were aligning ourselves with Deacon Associations in other Anglican Communions, and in other Denominations throughout the World ... "'For such a Time as This!" At a time in the history of the World when diaconal ministry is needed more than ever before. However, it now appears that the Distinctive Diaconate in ACSA is little more than an after-thought.

We state this for 3 reasons:

1. As the ACSA Fellowship of Deacons we appreciate that it is a privilege to be invited to ACSA Provincial Synod, and to ACSA Provincial Standing Committee. This year, sadly, we were not invited and have to wonder in what way we have offended you and our Bishops.

2. Despite a Motion being passed at Provincial Standing Committee September 2018 to set up a Commission to investigate the ministry of the distinctive and permanent diaconate and to report to Provincial Synod in 2019, nothing had materialized. This was addressed at Provincial Synod in 2019 and again a Commission was to be set up, but very little has materialized to date."

2022

When the Provincial Standing Committee of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa met at the end of September 2022, the deacon representative Professor John Aitchison presented the case, previously submitted in the Fellowship's written report to the Committee, that the number of licensed permanent deacons in Southern Africa had declined and this would impact on the presence of deacons in the parishes, and on their representation in dioceses, the province and internationally. There needed to be a clearer indication of support for, and recognition of, the diaconate from Archbishop and Bishops. It was also noted that the decision to set up a Commission on the Diaconate in 2018 had not been implemented. The presentation was well received and the following motion prepared and passed unanimously:

"Whereas the Fellowship of Deacons have submitted a report to this PSC and in the light of its analysis of the situation of distinctive [permanent] deacons, we call on all dioceses to nurture and promote the ministry of distinctive deacons within ACSA and ask the Archbishop to consider the implementation of the 2018 PSC resolution to establish a commission to investigate the ministry of the distinctive and permanent diaconate."

The Archbishop then set up the Commission and and appointed six members to it: Bishops Eddie Daniels and Charles Mthetheleli May, Canon Bellina Mangena and three deacons – John Aitchison, who was been appointed Convenor of the Commission, Magie Lebole Maja and Stanton Robertson.

2023

Deacons Gwynne Lawlor and John Aitchison attended the Diakonia Africa Europe regional conference from 6 to 10 September at Neuendettelsau in Germany.

2024

The final report of the Archbishop’s Commission on the Ministry of the Distinctive and Permanent Diaconate in ACSA was completed in April 2024.

At the Provincial Synod held in Benoni from 25 to 27 September the following motion was passed:

"THE DIACONATE

Whereas:
1. The Provincial Standing Committee’s in 2022 called on all dioceses to nurture and promote the ministry of distinctive deacons within ACSA.
2. This Synod is thankful to the Archbishop for the report of the Archbishop’s Commission on the Ministry of the Distinctive and Permanent Diaconate which has clarified the distinctiveness of the ministry of deacons, in relation to the other two orders, and in relation to the crisis-ridden context of our times.
3. This Synod believes God is calling upon us to revitalize the diaconal order.

Synod resolves to endorse the following based on recommendations of the Commission:
1. There should be a concerted effort to remove any prejudice and discrimination against the diaconate at various levels, and this also applies to how transitional
deacons are treated.
2. Ordination services of deacons and priests should be separated as far as possible.
3. Consideration should be given to lengthening the period of the transitional diaconate so that transitional deacons can be trained for, and have a genuine experience of, the diaconate, rather than only be treated as apprentice priests.
4. Information and study materials about the nature of diakonia and the distinctive diaconate should be produced.
5. Relevant vocational discernment and training information, processes and resources that take the distinctive diaconate into account should be created.
6. Representatives from theological training institutions and diocesan training programmes should be asked to take forward the report’s suggestions on a curriculum and programme for the education and training of deacons.
7. ACSA should endeavour to deal with the inevitable changes that a true restoration of the distinctive diaconate would require: canonical, liturgical, and synodal, and the support needed to develop an effective network for the diaconate (the Fellowship of Deacons).

Proposer: Bishop Charles May
Seconder: Revd Prof John Aitchison"

Another motion, on The Reformulation of the Bye Laws of the Provincial Standing Committee PSC 2023 confirmed that the composition of the PSC included two permanent deacons nominated by the Metropolitan with the right to speak and vote.

2025