Pictured with Bishop Brewer from left to right: The Rev. Jonathan Jameson, The Rev. Emilio Gonzalez, The Rev. Laura Cook and The Rev. Vivian Sawyer

The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer ordained one priest and two deacons, as well as receiving another deacon, in two services in January. At both services, the bishop focused on the definition and duties of each office.

The Rev. Jonathan Jameson was ordained as a priest Jan. 21 in an ordination service in the Bishop’s Oratory at the Diocesan Office in Orlando. On Jan. 31, at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, The Rev. Laura Lee Cook and The Rev. Vivian Ruth Sawyer received ordination as deacons, and The Rev. Emilio Gonzales was received as a deacon.

The Rev. Doran Stambaugh, rector of St. Michael’s by-the Sea, Carlsbad, California, and a longtime friend of Jameson, delivered the sermon at his ordination. He reminded Jameson that his vows are part of a threefold charge. “The first charge is there is only one great high priest of the New Covenant, Jesus Christ.”

The second charge is to remember the order of vows Jameson has taken, Stambaugh said. “You have taken marriage vows before you have taken the vows for the office of priesthood. Don’t forget your commitment to Amy. Allow her to inspire your vows to Christ.”

The third charge involves faith, Stambaugh told Jameson. “Remember that you can’t accomplish this work on your own strength but only by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Brewer reminded Jameson never to forget that he is a priest in the church of God and that he has been called as pastor, priest and teacher.

In his sermon to the deacon and deacon ordinands, Brewer reminded them of the nature of their ministry. “A deacon’s calling to minister to human relationships is a hidden ministry. You minister in the very tight and often very lonely space where the church system stops and the life of the world starts.”

“You have a ministry that lets you teach the new converts whose hearts are on fire,” he continued. “The order of your ministry demonstrates the inclusivity of the gospel. Hunt out nonbelievers and build relationships with those who are not like you. Proclaim the gospel to people, demonstrate the light of the World, bringing the light to the World. You are the icon of the inclusivity of Jesus. Help them to know that there is a Savior. Push us as a church. That is what a deacon is. If you are not doing this, you are not doing your job.”

Jameson has been called to serve as associate rector at St. John’s, Savannah, Georgia. Gonzales is serving at Jesús de Nazaret, Orlando. Cook is praying about where she will serve in the Diocese of Central Florida upon graduation from Wycliffe School of Theology, Toronto, Canada, this summer. Sawyer’s parish assignment and Celebration of New Ministry will occur later.