Vestry Approves Ordination to the Priesthood

St. Michael's vestry has approved my application for ordination to the Priesthood! ¡Gracias a Dios! Next step, approval of the Diocesan Commission on Ministry, then approval by the Standing Committee. Things are a moving!

Teresa and I are leaving Berkeley July 22rd and will arrive in Nampa, Idaho July 23. The adventure continues.

The Lexington Kentucky opportunity did not work out, or others I applied for. However, a ministry to Latino community opened up in Nampa, so that is why I'm heading there. Quite excited about it. Now to finish my Spanish/English sermon I will preach this Sunday at Holy Trinity/La Santísima Trinidad. Last Sunday there. Good-byes will be teary. I will miss those dear folk.

Quick Look Over the Last 8 Months

My, My, it has been 8 months since I last blogged! Been really busy. I've been working on my Spanish. If you are on facebook, you can check out my facebook page. My statuses are bilingual.

I've been having an amazing and transformative time ministering with the good, faithful folks at Holy Trinity/La Santísima Trinidad, Richmond, CA. Seminary classes of course, keep me really busy.

Today I got a comment from a Jim Sheehan about a post from 8 months ago. Wow.

Tomorrow I interview for a position in the Diocese of Lexington, KY. That is a whole story in itself but no time to explain further. Any of you prayers out there who feel lead, please pray for me and the other seminarians looking for new ministries. And pray for Canon Sam McDonald who will be interviewing five of us tomorrow. It will be a long day for him. I am confident that God is working in this, so I feel relatively calm.

Must see video from Canterbury

With the Lambeth Circus, errr, Conference now in full tilt, there is like, way too much to read or take in. Yet there are some gems already emerging. One came forth yesterday (Sunday) in a park in Canterbury where the Rev. Susan Russell, president of Integrity, preached a mighty sermon and made me proud to be an Episcopalian and a member of Integrity. *Do* view this 10 minute video of her sermon. Scroll down to "Susan Russell preaches at Changing Attitude/Integrity service"You can read the text here, but a sermon is never written to be read, but preached. I encourage you to see and hear her preach this puppy. She will stir you hearts and raise your spirits.

On Sunday Teresa and I where also in park, though halfway around the world from the one Rev. Susan preached in. The weather was similar, being in San Francisco at the AIDS Walk in Golden Gate park. We walked with a delightful group of Episcopalians, having celebrated Eucharist together

right there in the middle of the assembly area for the myriad of teams. A most appropriate place for celebrating Eucharist.











Here the Rev. Mary Louise Hintz is leading us in prayer.


Teresa became a honorary Episcopalian for a day.
For me, the most moving part of the walk were to two displays of part of the AIDS Quilt. When I saw the display that was on the walk route, I immediately know what it was and Teresa and I went to walk and pray in that sacred space.

Sacred Space

Reverence

Some of the panels are most poignant. All are a testament to love that dwells in our souls, the image of God within us.

In particular I searched for the panel of a friend, Fr Bill Steuber. His was a Roman Catholic priest who served in the Diocese of Boise and died of AIDS, 19 days before Teresa and I had our wedding ceremony. A few days before the AIDS walk I had looked up his name at The Names Project website and found the section his panel was in. So I knew what it looked like. It was not on display Sunday.


There are 5,748 sections, over 46,000 panels to the Quilt. In 1996 the Quit covered the entire National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Every section that is displayed though is in memory of all who have died of this awful disease.

Sunday was a powerful day all around the world. What a blessings to be alive this day.

More photos of the AIDS Walk may be found here.

Finally, Ordination Photos

Here I am, newly ordained. I still feel amazed,
awe filled and grateful . I am especially
grateful to the Rev. Mary Lou Weiner,

She was my mid-wife for this ordination service,
and is a dear, dear friend.
Here we are celebrating after the service.

You can find many more photos right here.

Picasa is a great photo sharing app, but I'm not able to set the order of the albums yet. So be sure to scroll down to or just lick this link: 2008-06-29 Ordination - Canon... These photos where taken by Canon Karen Hunter and are really good. Muchas Gracias a Canon Karen.

Enjoy!

I have a date!

God willing and the people consenting

The Right Reverend Harry Bainbridge III
Bishop of the Diocese of Idaho will ordain

Deborah Marie Térèse Graham
to the Sacred Order of Deacons

on Sunday, the twenty-ninth of June, 2008
at four o clock in the afternoon

at St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral
518 N. 8th St., Boise, Idaho

Your prayers and presence are requested

Reception following

Clergy: Red Stoles


You all are invited. There is joy in Berkeley, Boise and beyond today! Hallelujah. Thanks be to God!

Photo Albums on Web

Hi all. I have photo albums on the web here. Enjoy!
Note: I recommend having a high speed line to view these, especially the graduation one.

I Have Graduated! May 23, 2008, 11:22 PDT

I am still a swirl of emotions: joy, wonder, gratitude, sorrow (saying good-by for now to dear friends)happiness, excitement ... A picture is worth a thousand words. So here are photos:






The cross I am wearing is our CDSP Celtic Cross, given to all new Grads the night before Commencement. I wear it with pride, with pride in my class, the CDSP Class of 2008 and pride in my seminary. I am grateful to God for this blessing and the many people who have made this day possible. God bless us, everyone

DCOM approves ordination to diaconate

I have moved towards the more steps in my journey to ordination. Last month St. Michael's vestry approved my ordination to the diaconate. Also last month, on April 26, the diocesan Commission on Ministry approved my ordination to the diaconate. There are now three steps left in this part of my spiritual journey: (1) approval by the standing committee, (2) background check is okay, and (3) Bishop Harry's final decision. There is light at the end of the tunnel and I am so excited.

I sent out an e-mail earlier this week to some of my friends about the DCOM approval. I just want to clarify the ordination isn't a sure thing, yet we are getting really really close and indeed congratulations are in order at this point. The real party will begin, God willing and the people consenting, after my bishop places his hands of my head to ordain me.

I will update my blog today I hear of any more developments. The episcopal ordination process as many steps and at times can indeed be confusing. OK where are we at in this process? What are the next steps? Pero parte de parte, step by step, we move forward.

I want to thank and will continue to thank all of you who have supported me so much in this process. Your support will bear fruit in the building up of God's Reign, the realization of God's dream for humankind and all creation.

I will be in Boise June 2 through the 7. Teresa is not able to come. :-( Hope to see some of you at least, while I am there. God's blessing on you all.