The title "priest-in-charge" has become more common within the Episcopal Church in recent years; we ourselves have had three priests with it (Amy Chambers Cortright, Warren Crews, and Sally Weaver). As each of them served us with differing expectations in terms of their commitment to us, this might be a bit confusing.

​In general, a priest-in-charge is a priest under contract to the diocese to serve a parish for a set length of time. So, in our case, Warren and Sally fit this general model: they were contracted to spend a year with us in very part-time capacities. There was no expectation (at least contractually) that they'd be with us any longer than that contracted year. This is the main difference between a priest-in-charge, and a rector (whom is understood to be committed to a parish for a long term).

Deacons have served pretty regularly at St. John's over the past 6-7 years: Kevin McGrane was with us for most of that time as a vocational deacon, and Nancy Emmel-Gunn has recently joined us as a transitional deacon. We all know they wear the collar, but how is a deacon different from a priest?

​The national Church's "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church" provides a lengthy definition of a deacon, both in its historical context, as well as its revived purpose over the last century. Deacons still serve in a capacity of "agents of the bishop," with traditional and liturgical tasks tied to "proclaim[ing] the gospel, lead[ing] intercessions, wait[ing} at the eucharistic table, and direct[ing] the order of the assembly." In their current incarnation, bishops often expect deacons to focus on service to the needy.

​A vocational deacon serves in that capacity for as long as she/he/they feel called to do so; a transitional deacon serves for a brief period (usually around six months) before being ordained a priest.

A deacon may not consecrate the elements for the Eucharist, nor may she/he/they pronounce absolution of sin, or the Trinitarian blessing.