Commission on Ministry for the Diocese of Delaware
The Commission on Ministry assists the Bishop in his role of recruiting and discerning vocations in lay and ordained ministry.
Photo: Baptizing infants can be one of the joys of ordained ministry.
Commission on Ministry Report, 2008
The Commission on Ministry assists the Bishop in his role of recruiting and discerning vocations in lay and ordained ministry. The COM held four regular meetings during 2007, and conducted one official interview with a person interested in pursuing a call to the priesthood. The COM also maintained contact with Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly as she continues her studies at the Virginia Theological Seminary, with the possibility of her ordination occurring in 2009.
Separately, the Chair of the COM attended two meetings of the Lay Ministry Support Team, and represented the Diocese of Delaware at the Province III COM Conference in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Steps were taken to revise the diocesan discernment and ordination process for the priesthood in light of the changes made to the Ministry Canons by the 2006 General Convention.The process, however, became stalled and will have to be revived.
Work continued on the discernment and training for deacons, and it is anticipated that a number of inquirers will be named as postulants early in 2008. Plans for the coming year include completion of the diocesan procedures for priesthood, continued involvement in the deacon program, and reviewing the licensing of the ministries.
During 2007, two members left the service of the COM. In April, the Reverend Canon Thom Jenson retired from full-time ministry, and in May, the Reverend Tony Pompa was called to a new position in another diocese. In September, Bishop Wright appointed the Reverend Anna Waid to one of the vacancies.
As of the year end 2007, the Commission members were: the Reverend James M. Bimbi (St. James, Mill Creek Hundred, Wilmington), the Reverend Patricia Bird (Trinity Parish, Wilmington), Ms. Patricia Hampton (Sts. Andrews & Matthews, Wilmington), Mr. Barry Hutton (Immanuel-on-the-Green, New Castle), the Reverend Rita Nelson (St. Philips’, Laurel), Ms. Angie Rummel (St. Peter’s, Lewes), Mr. E. Naudain Simons, III (St. Nicholas, Newark), and the Reverend Anna Waid (Grace Church, Wilmington).
—The Rev. James M. Bimbi, Chair, January, 2008