Welcoming our New Seminarian, Tina Francis and Welcoming Back our Senior Seminarian, Anthony Suggs:
On Sunday, Sept 3, we welcomed back to St. Julian's our Senior Seminarian, Anthony Suggs, and his spouse Tatiana Hoecker. Over the summer Anthony was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Episcopal Church. Anthony is what we call a Transitional Deacon, as he will be ordained a Priest following graduation from the Seminary of the Southwest in May of 2024. This is a great blessing to St. Julian's, as we will have an ordained Deacon among us for all of the coming school year!
To this end, you will see Anthony serving most Sundays in our services in the role of Deacon, which includes, reading the Gospel, leading the prayers and confession, setting the altar for Eucharist, dismissing us out in to the world, and preaching on occasion. The role of Deacon is to connect the mission and ministry of the church to the great needs that exist in the world around us. On Oct 15, Anthony will be sharing with us more about all the orders of ministry, Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Lay People, in adult education between services.
Also, on the 3rd, we welcomed our newest Seminarian to St. Julian's, Tina Francis (see pic below), along with her spouse, Kupa Mutungu, and son, Ezra Mutungu. Tina will be serving with us for at least the next 2 years, as she works to complete her seminary training. Both Tina and Anthony are assigned to St. Julian's as a part of the Field Education program of the seminary. Field Ed is like an internship, where those preparing for ordination in the Episcopal Church, can learn about ministry through observation, practice, and offering leadership. It is a blessing to both learn alongside the Seminarians serving at St. Julian's and help in shaping the future leadership of the church. St. Julian's has become known as a church that does the work of helping form Seminarians with grace and skill!
Below is a bio Tina has shared for us to come to know a bit more about her, and I hope you will make every effort to welcome her and her family into our family of faith.
"Tina Francis has spent her career telling stories through writing, photography, and speaking on radio, television, and at kitchen tables. She is an M.Div. student at the Seminary of the Southwest, pursuing a call to the Priesthood from the Diocese of Olympia (the Seattle, WA area). She is accompanied by her husband, Kupa, and their 9-year-old son, Ezra.
She is an old soul, an empath, and a truth-teller. She loves her mother’s masala chai, The Great Indoors, poetry, hot sauce, learning new words, comfortable shoes, and rooting for the underdog.
Tina is a graduate of The Living School, a two-year program grounded in the Christian contemplative tradition at the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, NM. She was guided by teachers Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault, and James Finley. Daily contemplative practice awakens her to the pattern of reality—God’s loving presence with and in all things."
If we can answer any questions about our St. Julian's participation in Field Ed, or anything in our shared life, please feel free to reach out to either of us. I hope this reaches you and yours well.
Peace and Warm Friendship,
Miles+
The Rev. Miles Brandon, Vicar
with
The Rev. Jonathan McManus-Dail, Associate Vicar for Youth and Young Adults
