Uniqueness

Yesterday the candidates were asked, "What is unique about you and your ministry?" Here's a sample of their replies:

Cathy Deats is fluent in American Sign Language and has a deaf deacon on the staff of her parish in New Jersey. The ministry to the deaf at St. James has prompted not only deaf people to join the congregation, but to inspire hearing parishioners to learn some ASL in order to converse with the deaf members of their faith community.


Al Keeney feels called to help congregations which are suffering significant setbacks become healthy again, to develop outreach-based programs, and to establish meaningful Christian education and formation programs for both youth and adults. Al cited the founding of a soup kitchen at his present parish and support for a community rape crisis center as examples of bringing a local faith community through a period of difficulty to one where the parish is now living out the Gospel in a concrete way.

Dan Edwards couldn't help mentioning his fondness for silly hats (!), but then talked about how much he loved going to aquariums and spending time in awe of the amazing diversity of the the fish he was observing. He brings this love of aquatic difference into his life and ministry. He is comfortable living with difference and is not afraid of conflict and finds it natural to bring these traits into a ministry of reconciliation to conflicted congregations.

Susan Burns believes that her uniqueness is found in the way that she has been able to integrate her gifts, talents, and life experiences into a holistic sense of herself. She has accomplished this through a disciplined life of prayer and meditation and careful listening to God. She has a passion for justice and reconciliation and a love of difference which has manifested itself in various ways, including her legal work, in interfaith dialogue, and in ministry to the homeless.

Jeff Paul loves preaching discussion-based sermons, where members of a congregation become involved in the give-and-take of ideas. He has a passion for ministry to youth and young adults and seeks ways of transforming these types of ministries into a more intergenerational setting with the needs of youth at their core.

Eric Funston has a passion for developing and supporting ministries that take place outside the four walls of the church building, such as outreach to the elderly and homeless.