The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida will celebrate the ordination of eight deacons raised up from congregations inside and outside of the diocese on Saturday, Sept. 8, at The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke in Orlando. To commemorate this achievement, the ordinands joined us for a Q&A about their religious background, leadership roles, how the call to become a deacon transpired, and what their goals are for their respective ministries.
Part 1: Meet Virginia Cassady Bolton, Dr. William J. (BJ) Buracker II
Virginia Cassady Bolton
Bolton
Current church/capacity: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lake Mary; assigned to serve at St. Peter’s after ordination.
Deacon title: Vocational Diaconate.
Please briefly summarize your religious background as far as your upbringing and any leadership roles you may have held.
Well, I am not a religious person. Religion says be better, do more, try harder. I grew up with that in another Christian denomination. I was never good enough and didn’t know God, much less Jesus, His Son. In early adulthood, I completely turned away from God and did not believe in Him. Perhaps He existed, but He was far distant from me.
In my mid-20s, I ran into some rough times. Then God made Himself known to me. I didn’t ask for Him, but He was there. I didn’t really understand how He was present with me, but over time, I came to depend on Him and pray, but I wasn’t going to church. However, I didn’t get this “Jesus thing” and didn’t know the Bible. When I met Brian (my husband) – a believer – I started going to church with him.
Years later, I had another serious crisis. My dear brother had terminal cancer. Jesus showed up, and I knew it was Jesus. He walked with me through that very hard time. Soon after, I developed a hunger for the Bible and began to seriously learn and study. It changed me drastically, and I am a follower of Jesus.
I have been a licensed chalice bearer and Lay Eucharistic Visitor since 2001. Brian and I have led many small group Bible studies over the years. I have been a Lay Eucharistic Visitor Coordinator, Chair of the Worship Commission, and Pastoral Care Coordinator at St. Peter’s.
How did the call to become a deacon transpire for you?
On Sept. 25, 2015, as I was driving to work and listening to a pastor on a Christian radio station, the Lord said to me, clear as a bell in my head, “Commit to me, go part time, and I will provide you training.” The sheep (of which I am one) know the voice of their Shepherd, and I knew from experience that it was the Lord talking to me.
Without knowing what He meant by “training,” I committed to Him immediately by taking steps to “go part time” in my law practice. That part was not easy because I was a shareholder in a small firm! With the assistance of St. Peter’s rector at the time, Father Charlie Holt, I began exploring various ministries to which God might be calling me, including the diaconate. With the help of my Parish Discernment Committee, Commission on Ministry, and the excellent diaconate program through the Institute for Christian Studies, I know this call from the Lord is to be a deacon.
How do you hope to help the Episcopal Church as a deacon?
I cannot do a thing in the name of Jesus to advance His Kingdom unless I live into my Baptismal Covenant. The first question of our Baptismal Covenant focuses on the promises to worship regularly, be in the Word and in fellowship with other believers and pray regularly. Neglecting my own spiritual life and relationship with the Lord for the sake of ministry is counterintuitive. Acting on my baptismal promises to the Lord always must precede my work for Him and I will always encourage others to lean into this and other promises of the Baptismal Covenant.
My ministry as a deacon will start with serving, ministering to, and loving the congregation. A congregation that does not feel they are loved will have a hard time offering love to others and going out into the world to love and serve the Lord, as the Great Commission commands (Matt. 28:16-20). There are so many weak, marginalized, sick, and lonely people in Seminole County who need believers to come alongside them to know what the love of Jesus looks like and to know about Him! My gifts lend themselves to serving those who are sick and dying and those who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, but not everyone who wants to serve the Lord has these gifts. I will work with the laity and rector to help members discern their gifts from the Holy Spirit and point them in the directions of serving those in need in our county.
Could the five Episcopal churches in Seminole County join together and serve those in need at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, SafeHouse of Seminole, Seminole County Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program, Rescue Outreach Mission, and IDignity, to name a few? Perhaps our members could join with Father Jon Davis and Fresh Expressions to go to a variety of places, including pubs, parks, and other venues in Seminole County to share Christ’s message.
My prayer is: “Lord Jesus, make me ever attentive to the unfolding of your will for me and the people I serve.”
Dr. William J. (BJ) Buracker II
Buckracker
Current church/capacity: All Saints’ Church, Chevy Chase Parish, Chevy Chase, Maryland where I am a lector, LEM, and Bible Study teacher. Sponsoring parish: Trinity Episcopal Church, Vero Beach.
Deacon title: Transitional Diaconate.
Please briefly summarize your religious background as far as your upbringing and any leadership roles you may have held.
I grew up Presbyterian (PCA) mostly and attended Presbyterian-leaning Christian schools. My mother is a devout Christian, but my father is agnostic. After graduating from North Carolina State, I was hired by Sandhills Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines, North Carolina, as a youth director (2002-2007) while I attended seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary. I joined the Episcopal Church in 2009 and was confirmed in 2015 by the late Bishop Ed Salmon at All Saints’ Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland. At this parish, I have served as an usher, youth Sunday School teacher, confirmation leader, Bible Study instructor, LEM, and lector. I served as a vestry member from 2014 to 2016 (at All Saints’ Church, Chevy Chase, Maryland).
How did the call to become a deacon transpire for you?
I have felt called into ministry for many years in some capacity, whether lay or ordained. Due to the prayers and urging of my rector, Ed Kelaher, and encouragement from friends and family, it became clear that I should pursue the ordained ministry. I love serving others, preaching and teaching, and working to help build up the Body of Christ and share the Gospel.
How do you hope to help the Episcopal Church as a deacon?
I hope to help the Episcopal Church by faithfully proclaiming the Gospel of Christ where it is often ignored or unknown, by equipping God’s people to serve others and share their faith, and by supporting my bishop and priests in their ministries.