Yesterday at the Sunday Eucharist, a local son of the church returned to us as a brand new deacon. Michael Demmon grew up as a child in St. Antony's Church, went to college and then seminary, and was recently ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church.
Michael is poised and confident and has a refreshing smile. He and his lovely young wife Libby were married just last August, and they're moving to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he'll be the assistant rector at St. Luke Episcopal Church. After two or three years there, he'll move on to the U.S. Army, where he'll complete his ROTC commitment as a chaplain. After that he'll choose between a career as a military chaplain or parish ministry. What a promising young couple!
Michael preached on the passage from the Epistle to the Romans. He reminded us of Martin Luther's words, that "Romans is the heart of the Gospel," and he compared Paul's message to drinking fresh water after swimming in an ocean of bitter salt water.
Michael said that this is a message for hurting people. Even though we encounter suffering in our lives, we have the hope of sharing the glory of God. Even though we are sinners, weak, even enemies of God, still Christ died for us. So we are at peace with God.
Michael was given a stole and a Tau cross as gifts from the people of St. Antony. What a proud day for our parish!
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