“As a deacon in the Church, you are to … make Christ and his redemptive love known” (Book of Common Prayer, 543).

Not only was that phrase from the service for the ordination of a deacon used in the examination of seven Diocese of Central Florida transitional deacons on the evening of Jan. 11 at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, but it became the central thread of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb’s sermon and charge to the new ordinands. In fact, for the Revs. Zoe Cordes Selbin, David Decosimo, Darin Metz, Garrett Puccetti, Stephanie Soper, and David and Stephanie Whitman, it not only served as the most memorable point of a service that marked their entrance into holy orders but also set forth a charge for the lives of ministry that lie ahead.

“That’s a very simple but very powerful sentence,” Holcomb said in describing the charge. “That’s the bullseye of the ministry of the deacon. The creativity of the diaconal ministry – that’s the how … but what you are to do could not be made more clear than those few simple words: ‘Make Christ and his redemptive love known.'”

“I was deeply moved by Bishop Justin’s focus on Jesus’ redeeming love,” said Cordes Selbin, who is pursuing her Th.D. in Liturgical Studies at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina, and serving at the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies there as well as in her local parish. “The vocation of a deacon is to serve, and we must not forget why we serve, and the message and meaning behind our service: to bring the redeeming love of Jesus Christ to all.”

Decosimo also agrees with Holcomb. “[To make Christ’s redemptive love known] is a deeply compelling, strikingly beautiful and tremendously daunting vocation,” he said. “I was moved and deeply grateful for Bishop Justin’s focus on it – and for his call for us to look in confidence to Christ for the strength and grace to walk this path.”

For Metz, Holcomb’s words about the ministry of a deacon stood out more than any others from the service. Now serving his own parish in a variety of ways, he looks forward to seeing where God will lead him in the days ahead.

A senior at Nashotah House, Nashotah, Wisconsin, Puccetti believes his vocation lies in parish ministry, where he too will make Christ’s redemptive love known. “It means so much to me that the beginning of my ordained ministry was marked by this call to point others to Christ, who is making all things new,” he said. “I pray that this reflection will be a helpful reminder of the ministry into which God has called me, continually orienting me toward Jesus in all things.”

Perhaps the most personal response to the sermon and the charge came from Soper, a student at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando. “Bishop Holcomb’s sermon was especially poignant for me in the connection between remembering those who have led us in faith and the calling to ‘make Christ and his redemptive love known,'” she said. “My paternal grandmother has always been at the top of that list for me, and as we celebrated her life last February, we treasured that she was someone who ‘showed Jesus real well.’ I long to share her love of Jesus and emulate her life, and this ordination service was a beautiful opportunity to answer God’s call on my life more formally.”

The Rev. David Whitman, a chaplain with Geneva Hospice, also found the charge applicable to his calling. He said, “The phrase particularly resonated as I reflect on my work with individuals, families and churches up to this point and the possibilities for continuing that ministry.”

Whitman’s wife, the Rev. Stephanie Whitman, who teaches at St. Barnabas Episcopal School, DeLand, where she assists with school worship services, found particular significance in other elements of the service as she moves toward her goal of serving as a school chaplain. “The words Bishop Holcomb spoke over me while laying hands on my head were especially meaningful, as the Holy Spirit flowed powerfully,” she said. “I also experienced that power while helping to serve Communion. It was a great privilege!”

All seven ordinands expressed gratitude for their parishes. Cordes Selbin said of her sponsoring church, All Saints, Winter Park, “Since the very beginning of this process, the whole parish has welcomed me, encouraged me and supported me, and my parish discernment committee cared for me and helped me discern and understand how I could bring my unique gifts and talents to this calling; I am humbled by their support. Father Stu has been an incredible mentor, and I am thankful for him and his ministry, and the way he leads with humility, humor and grace.”

“I’ve been very grateful for the unfailing support and prayers of the congregation and vestry, and to Father Tom Phillips, who is now rector at Holy Trinity, Melbourne,” said Decosimo, who, along with Metz, is sponsored by Incarnation, Oviedo.

“I’m deeply grateful to our former rector, Father Tom Phillips; interim rector, Father Josh Bales; our community group and so many others at Incarnation who have supported and blessed us throughout this journey,” Metz added. “I’m especially thankful for my wonderful wife, Ginger, who has been my support and a source of great encouragement and joy.”

Of his sponsoring church, St. Francis in the Fields, Harrods Creek, Kentucky, Puccetti said, “I am thankful to St. Francis for being my spiritual home and supporting Erin and me in so many ways throughout seminary. Thanks especially to Father Clint Wilson, Mother Barbara White, Father Raleigh Langley and Mother Jennifer Grady for their mentorship and support.”

Soper, who said her family has belonged to Ascension, Orlando, since they arrived in Central Florida in 2011, also expressed gratitude. “Father Jim Sorvillo Sr. [former rector] welcomed us with open arms and mentored me through being a parishioner, volunteer, staff member and postulant as a true ‘big brother,'” she said. “I’m especially grateful to the Rev. Sarah Bronos for being such an incredible mentor, spiritual director and mother to me in faith. I am blessed to count so many clerics as mentors and supporters through Ascension: Deacon Beth Wagner, Deacon Beth Bellner, Father Matt Ainsley, Mother Sara Oxley, Deacon Debby Buechner, Fr. Chris Brathwaite and Deacon Rusty Hazelrigg. And our rector, Father Ryan Cook, is a brother and godly example to me in every sense.”

For Soper, the outpouring of love and support from her Ascension family was as meaningful as Holcomb’s charge. “I received numerous texts, messages and emails throughout the day, and I could sense the prayers lifting me up,” she said. “We had invited those in attendance to meet for a photo after the service, and while I saw a good number of folks from Ascension during the service, I had no concept of how many had come until afterward. When I left the receiving line to join the photo, it was overwhelming to see so many gathered and to think of all those who I knew wanted to be there. Seeing all the faces of those who have loved and supported us through this journey, I knew I was looking at the face of Jesus.”

The Revs. Whitman, sponsored by Grace, Port Orange, also expressed deep gratitude for their parish and its leaders. “Particular gratitude goes to Father Gary Jackson, Deacon Susan McCaffrey, the Grace Church community, Father Rick Burhans (retired rector) and Carolyn Burhans,” the Rev. David said. “All supported us through incredibly challenging times and affirmed our sense of call.”

“Grace has been so supportive of my journey through many prayers and words of encouragement,” his wife added. “I am thankful to the large group from our church who attended the ordination service!”