Deacons are called by their vows to make Christ's redemptive love known to the poor, the weak, the sick and the lonely (BCP 543). 

Modelling servant ministry in their daily life and work, deacons are icons of servant ministry through their liturgical roles in worship. At all times, by their life and teaching, deacons are to show Christ’s people that in serving others they serve Christ himself. It is also the special responsibility of deacons to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world. Deacons entrust their gifts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to empower others to name, claim and engage fully the work God gives us all to do.

Archdeacon

The Venerable Jan Brown is the Archdeacon of the Diocese, jbrown@brutonparish.org
Jan is the Founding/Executive Director of SpiritWorks Foundation Center for the Soul, a community recovery organization located in Williamsburg, VA. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a BA in Psychology, is certified as a Recovery Support Specialist and is one of four people in the country certified as a Master Recovery Life Coach. Jan is also an Addictions Educator and sought-after speaker on topics of addiction, brain injury and recovery management. She serves on the Board of Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church, the Board of Faces and Voices of Recovery, the SAMHSA BRSS-TACS Steering Committee and co-chairs the Addictions and Recovery Commission for the Diocese of Southern Virginia. In 2014 she was appointed by the Governor of Virginia and serves on the Governor’s Task Force on Prescription Drug and Heroin Abuse. In 2015 Jan was appointed by the Presiding Bishop to serve on the Commission on Impairment and Leadership. Jan was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons by The Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV, Bishop of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, on April 16, 2016 at Christ Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Resources

Handbook for Deacons

Association for Episcopal Deacons

The Deacon's School

Becoming a Deacon

The Diaconal Ordination Exploration Program in the Diocese of Southern Virginia accepts applications September 1 through December 31.  Applicants will interview with the Commission on Ministry for postulancy. Those granted postulancy will receive formation and training in The Deacons' School. The school is a joint effort of the Episcopal Dioceses of Southern Virginia, Southwestern Virginia, and Virginia.  During the two year course, classes will meet one weekend per quarter with assignments in between. Click here for more information.