Share
Witnesses
St. James Cathedral
Seattle, WA
August 7, 2024

St. James Cathedral in Seattle is a very lively parish as well as a Cathedral. We have a very robust liturgical and musical life, and a wide range of outreach and faith formation programs.

We wanted an event which would highlight St. Phoebe – and also foreground discussion around women and the diaconate.

For the prayer, we held a celebration of Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. This is part of the rhythm of life at St. James Cathedral – we offer Evening Prayer every Sunday, so at least some of the parish is familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours. At the service, our women’s choir led the singing, our pastor presided, and a local woman leader preached. We could have invited a woman leader to preside as well – but we felt that it was important for the priest to be present. Our hope was that it would help people imagine what it would look like for men and women to collaborate together in the celebration of the liturgy. By celebrating Evening Prayer, rather than Mass, we were also able to demonstrate how much is already possible within the parameters of Church practice. Laypeople are only allowed to give reflections at Mass under very limited conditions. In the Liturgy of the Hours, lay preaching is already permitted.

Following the prayer service, Anna Robertson of Discerning Deacons and St. James Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy, Corinna Laughlin, shared the podium shared the podium to talk about women in the diaconate. Corinna covered the history of the practice, who women deacons were, what they did, and why they vanished. Anna talked about the present—the state of the question today and the work of Discerning Deacons to keep the dialogue going.

For us, this was a lovely and meaningful way  to introduce both St. Phoebe, and the question of women deacons, to our community.

Witness
“And when I get antsy waiting, as I often do, I remember the women I met who showed me that the ‘not yet’ is an “already.” Women deacons have existed and continue to exist. Someday, I may be one of them.“
Julia D’Agostino, MDiv
Theology Student, ThM Candidate
Witness
“I have not given a thought about becoming a deacon, but would consider the possibility if asked to become a deacon. Ultimately, I know and feel strongly that the presence of women ministerially can have a profound impact on the Church.”
Kathy Herrington
Lector and Community Minister, Northbrook, IL
Witness
“God has a marvelous plan in all things and whether or not I am called to the diaconate, my service to God and God’s people will always continue. Discerning is a process that always comes with change.”
Helena Ditko
Parish Council Member & Catechist, San Fernando Region, CA,

Receive Our Newsletter

This is the hub where we share relevant news, events and opportunities to participate in the work. 
*We will send the newsletter only once each week, and we will never share or sell your information.

Receive Our Newsletter

This is the hub where we share relevant news, events and opportunities to participate in the work. 
*We will send the newsletter only once each week, and we will never share or sell your information.