At the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, on Oct. 22. 2023, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb installed the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith as canon to the ordinary for the Diocese of Central Florida in a service threaded with one common theme: our enduring hope in Christ. Numerous clergy attended and processed, including the diocese’s fourth bishop, the Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer. (Watch the entire service at this link.)

Smith, who has served as canon to the ordinary since July 1, was presented to the bishop by fellow members of the diocesan staff, including Mr. Michael Abbot, interim CFO; the Ven. Julie Altenbach, archdeacon; Mrs. Sarah Caprani, executive assistant to Holcomb; Mrs. Sue Grosso, receptionist and database manager; Mrs. Beverly Jennings, administrative assistant and Ms. Adria Northern, executive assistant to Smith.

Diocesan staff members present Smith for installation as canon to the ordinary. | Photo: David Lewis

Mrs. Marilyn Lang, leadership development coordinator, read the Letter of Institution from Holcomb, which reminded Smith of his calling as deacon and priest, set forth his responsibilities as canon to the ordinary and commended him to the grace of God in carrying out this work.

“Having committed yourself to this work, do not forget the trust of those who have chosen you,” the letter read in part. “Care alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. By your words and in your life, proclaim the gospel. Love and serve Christ’s people. Nourish them and strengthen them in this life and in the life to come.”

Holcomb then gave the charge to Smith, followed by a prayer by the Very Rev. Reggie Kidd, dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke. Smith’s daughter, Mrs. Shannon Sampson, read the Old Testament lesson, Exodus 33:12-23; Grosso read the New Testament lesson, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; and the Ven. Julie Altenbach read the Gospel lesson, Matthew 22:15-22, followed by Holcomb’s sermon.

“Dan is one of the most hopeful people that I know; that’s the word I have used about him for weeks,” Holcomb said. The bishop also pointed out that Smith chose “Lord of All Hopefulness” as one of the hymns for the evening.

“Personally, what I love about you, Dan, is your hope for the clergy,” Holcomb said. “You give them the benefit of the doubt; you want the best for them. You hold out hope for them, churches and leaders in the diocese. You expect and hope for the absolute best that God will do in and through them.”

Holcomb said Smith is able to do that because he has experienced God’s hope, which enables him to “extend the hope to others joyfully and happily,” a hallmark of his ministry. The bishop discussed hope as laid out in the 1 Thessalonians passage through the remainder of his sermon, noting that biblical hope is a living hope, not a sentimental cliché; that it is founded on the work of Christ; and that, as such, it is certain.

As a part of the message, Holcomb shared with those present what Smith said when asked about his hopes for the diocese. “My primary hope for my time as canon to the ordinary is that the clergy, the people, the leaders in each congregation will know that they are loved and believe that they have been served,” Smith told him. “I want to enable people in congregations to use their gifts, to grow and thrive in their communities, large and small. I want the congregations and people to always know I want the best for them, even if I’m giving hard messages.

Bishop Holcomb presents Canon Smith and wife, Evelyn. | Photo: David Lewis

“My hope for the diocese is that it will always remember what is right and good about the church, rather than seeing what is wrong,” Smith also told the bishop. “This is true for individual churches and for the diocese. I hope it will throw its doors open to all to be a place where all feel loved and safe, that it will be a place where the gospel of hope and salvation will always be preached and lived. I want to look back someday and know that I’ve given my best because the diocese and God deserve that.”

Question 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563) was printed up and available to those who attended the service, and Holcomb pointed to its truth – that we are not our own but belong to Christ, who has paid for our sins and assures us of salvation and eternal life with him – as a foundational reason for hope.

Afterward, Smith described the service as “beautiful,” adding that he was overwhelmed by the support.

“The fact that there were close to 40 clergy there in procession was overwhelming all by itself, to see what I took as being a real welcome into this position and into the work – and, in fact, for both the bishop and me and the work that we’re doing together,” he said. “People are excited about that, excited about what the future is going to be; the energy in the room was terrific. This felt like a real statement of the hope that we have for the future.”

Smith was also blessed by the 25 or so family members in attendance at the installation. But for him, the location of the service carried an even more personal meaning.

“My mom and dad were members of that cathedral for many years, and I thought about them all through the service, just realizing their connection to that place and to the diocese,” he said. “I certainly remembered them as we were going through the service, and the fact is, it’s such an honor to be able to do this work and to serve the people of the diocese, and I look forward to continuing that.”