The Church already benefits greatly from the gifts women bring. Ordaining women to the diaconate would allow those gifts to come to the light and to be shared with all the faithful in a beautiful way.

To see a woman proclaim the Gospel, preach, and offer pastoral support as a deacon would mean that I could see someone like me up at the altar. I would feel represented by a church that so often tries to keep us in the background. 

The mission of Discerning Deacons is important because they are advocating for a larger role for women in the Church, which is hard to do. Discerning Deacons is unafraid to get their hands dirty to bring about a more inclusive Church for women.

When I first answered the call to be a campus minister, I did not realize how important having a community would be. Over the years I’ve been in ministry, the community I’ve built of campus ministers, mentors, and friends in the field has been so impactful. I grow best when I am surrounded by people who provide good feedback and support, and I have found that both in my professional ministry and with Discerning Deacons. This call is a specific call that only certain folks can understand, and I appreciate feeling seen and heard in the communities I’m part of.