The Latest eRISEN- July 26th 2010

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eRISEN July 26th 2010 issue

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A New Era – The 25th Anniversary of RI’s First Deacons' School Ordinations

-The Rev. Dcn. Ricky Brightman

It was a very hot and humid on Saturday, 25 years ago today, as fourteen men and women were ordained by Bishop Hunt. These were the first deacons to graduate from the first deacon's school in RI. Only 3 deacons had been ordained in this state prior to the school's advent. It was hoped that the school would establish a solid core of diaconate service, and judging from where we are today, it has.

The ordination took place on Saturday July 13 in 1985, and the Cathedral was crowded even beyond actual capacity. People were seated on window ledges, on the steps of the high altar, and even were standing or sitting on the floor in the aisles. A few had the wisdom to stay within sight and sound in the narthex, for there the windows were open to admit whatever cooling breezes were available. Some attendees even took seats down in Synod Hall, where the sound system picked up what was going on upstairs. They were wise because Synod Hall was considerable cooler than upstairs in the Cathedral proper.

The service itself was glorious with massed choirs accompanied by trumpet and organ. Many were able to ignore physical discomfort because they were so thrilled with the dignity and beauty of the servicer. Following the service there was an informal reception held in the Roger Williams Memorial Park across the street from the Cathedral.

This was the beginning of a new era and opportunity for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Rhode Island! These Deacons have served the Diocese and their separate parishes well during the past twenty-five years. Their varied ministry has had a great impact on the people they have directly served, and many of them are still serving today!

For that we give thanks as well as say to you all – “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”



Thank you for a fantastic first 25 years:

Austin ”Skip” A. Almon, Jr – to serve at St Michael and All Angels’ in Rumford

Paul J. Boardman Jr, at St. Columba’s, Middletown

Janet M. Broadhead, at St. Matthew’s, Jamestown

Edwin “Ted” Hallenbeck, All Saints’, Warwick

Ida R. Johnson at St James’, Woonsocket

Robert Johnson, (a husband and wife team), Grace Church, Providence

Mary B. Johnstone, Trinity, Newport and Kent Hospital, Warwick

Besty E. Lesieur, at Christ Church, Lincoln

Iris E. Mello, Transfiguration, Cranston

Jean Barry Olsen, St. David’s on the Hill, Cranston

James Verber, at St Mathias’, Coventry

Lester York, St Barnabas’, Warwick

Sean Manchester, a Transitional Deacon preparing for Priesthood, St Michael’s, Bristol

Martha Vaguener, Transitional, to work in Kenya

The Cathedral of St. John Featured on iHeartRhody.com

The Cathedreal Of St. John received a wonderful write-up by the fabulous local bloggers at www.iheartrhody.com! The article speaks from an outsider's perspective, of the welcoming vibrant life happening in Providence's 5th most endangered historic building!

On Thursday, June 10, 2010


Sights ~ Cathedral of St. John, Providence

During a walk around College Hill a couple of weeks ago, we came across what looked like a run-down, boarded-up church. I didn't recognize it until we came down the hill to Main Street, and I realized it was the Cathedral of St. John, part of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island.... Read the Full Article

Grace Church's New Rector, the Rev. Canon Jonathan Huyck

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,


I’m pleased to announce that Grace Church in Providence has called the Rev. Canon Jonathan Huyck to be its next Rector. Jonathan, 41, formerly served as Canon Pastor at the American Cathedral in Paris, France, reporting to the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Rev. Zachary Fleetwood. In that role, he shared fully in the ministries and administrative duties that are part of that parish community.

His wife, Ann, taught ballet and dance history in Paris and recently finished a term as co-chair of the Welcome Committee at the Cathedral. She also helped the Dean coordinate the work of the Friends of the American Cathedral.

Jonathan and Ann have a six-month-old son, Ben. The Huycks will reside in Providence.

The Huycks went to Paris in 2004 after Jonathan spent time as the first Episcopal Chaplain at New York University and served as Director of Young Adult and Newcomer Ministries at Church of the Holy Trinity in New York City (where he and Ann met). He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Brown University, and he holds a Master of Divinity from the University of Chicago and a Master of Sacred Theology in Anglican Studies from The General Theological Seminary. Prior to entering ordained ministry, he worked as a research assistant for a medical ethics firm and wrote comedy scripts for studios and networks such as Warner Brothers and PAXnet.

After multiple interviews and a site visit, the Grace Church Search Committee voted unanimously to send his name forward to the Vestry. The committee members were enthusiastic about Jonathan's remarkable capabilities but even more encouraged by the way his skills and background fit with the parish’s vision.

To me - as well as others on the Search Committee and Vestry - this paints a picture of an exciting future for us at Grace Church. Jonathan’s first Sunday at Grace will be August 1, when he will celebrate and preach at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services. Following the 10 a.m. service, the parish will hold a special celebration in the park across Westminster Street (weather permitting).

Please keep Jonathan, Ann and Ben in your prayers as they take these next steps in their journey with Christ.

Blessings and best regards,

David P. Seifert
Grace Church Senior Warden