March Newsletter

Alleluia! He is Risen!

Melissa and I hope that you are having a blessed Easter season. This semester has been a challenge between school demands and time spent seeking a position so that I will have a place to go when I graduate next month (May 22). My bishop has released me and his other seminarians to look outside of the diocese for positions. I've spent hours on the phone talking to people around the Church about possible leads and openings, networking and gathering contacts of those who would be willing to bring on a young, go-getter deacon, soon to be priest who is fired up about preaching the gospel. This whole process is pushing me to trust fully in God, as graduation creeps ever closer.

This week at the seminary I’m in charge of leading our chapel services—which includes singing some of the prayers—solo, an activity that brings on a feeling somewhere between thrill, terror and great humility as I lead God’s people in worship. I could feel myself shaking up there, but I made it through without the becoming the target of rotten fruit. I have a few more days yet to go, but so far everyone has said “You’re doing an excellent job.” I also preached my senior sermon in chapel a few weeks ago and received strong feedback, even from people who weren't there: “Hey Phil, I wasn't in chapel on that day but someone told me that your sermon was really good.”

Melissa has been working hard, but feeling somewhat down. Her time is spent at home sitting on the couch (or at Starbucks) reading theology and drafting the chapters of her master's thesis. As you know, Melissa is energized by being out and about with other people and so this introverted solo pattern of studying and writing is demanding on her extroverted personality. The professor who is overseeing her writing is pleased with her accomplishments on the thesis. Once that is finished she will be granted her master's degree in religion. The work, though draining will soon be done.

Please keep us in your prayers as our time at seminary draws to a close. After graduation we will be returning to Florida for my ordination to the transitional diaconate (May 31). If you are in the area, the service is at three o’clock at the Cathedral in Orlando and we would love to see you. We know that God already knows where we will best serve Him, he just hasn't revealed it to us yet. Please pray for us as we discern God's leading for our ministry in the Episcopal Church.