Ordination at St. James Episcopal Church

On Sunday March 12, St. James Episcopal Church in Marshall will be celebrating. Bishop Daniel Swenson of the Diocese of Minnesota will ordain Kate Hennessy of Marshall to the transitional deaconate. This is the third such celebration at the church since last June, as St. James launches its Total Ministry Team. The team, under the mentorship of a seminary trained priest, serves as the leadership group for the congregation. Not all team members are ordained priests, but all are commissioned by the bishop to perform specific roles in the congregation that are traditionally held by the priest.

The role of the deacon is to be liaison between the church and the community. Traditionally, in addition to serving specific functions during the church service, deacons take on tasks such as visiting the sick, working with those in need in the congregation and community, and leading the congregation’s outreach efforts. Hennessy currently serves as the Pastoral Care Minister and preaches one Sunday a month, roles she will continue to fill after her ordination to the priesthood in the fall.

One outreach effort being undertaken by Hennessy as she begins her ministry is a book discussion group. In partnership with Theresa Zaske, a member of the congregation, the group, entitled the GoodBook Club is being planned an opportunity for anyone in the community to read and discuss books on theological topics. The hope is that by reading about various aspects of Christianity participants will come to a broader understanding of what it means to be Christian and find commonalities with other Christians. Hennessy emphasizes that while St. James sponsors the group, anyone is welcome to attend.

Hennessy, who is psychologist at Western Mental Health Center in Marshall, has been preparing for ordination since shortly after moving to Marshall three and a half years ago. “I have felt called to the priesthood for longer than I can remember,” she says, “but life never allowed me the opportunity to attend seminary full-time. When I came to St. James and learned about the team, I knew this was exactly what God was calling me to.” The team participates in ongoing formation under the direction of the Rev. Ken Toven, Priest in Charge at St. James. Their ongoing educational process includes a grounding in Old and New Testament Studies, Theology, Church History, Spirituality and skills needed for church leadership.

Hennessy joins other team members the Revs. Marilyn Leach and Coleen Tully, Team Administrator Susan Fritz, Evangelist Mike Martin and Intercessor Sally Tully.