As a deacon, she has served at two churches in Lakeland, All Saints and St. Stephen's, where she taught classes, assisted in worship services and helped the pastors visit the sick and elderly.

"A deacon's calling is to take the needs and concerns of the world into the church and the care and concerns of the church into the world," she said.

She was so conscientious in her duties that in 1999, the bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida, the Rt. Rev. John Howe, nominated her for the Stephen Award, given annually by the Episcopal National Organization of Deacons.

Verret won the award, which she calls "one of the greatest honors I ever received."

Howe calls her "a very special person."

"She's just an outstanding deacon. Joan truly lives with one foot in the world and one in the church. She's a woman of deep prayer, and she has a heart of service," he said.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained

1. Choir Stall wrote: Back on topic: Now I think I might believe in cloning. Clone this woman and TEC will thrive. She has the easily-minted clergy princes beat by a mile. What a servant! In the footsteps of the Servant whom many claim to serve this deacon leaves deeper prints. August 31, 8:33 am | [comment link]

2. FenelonSpoke wrote: Lovely article; Thanks and may God continue to bless the work of this wonderful servant of the Lord. August 31, 2:36 pm | [comment link]

3. Capt. Father Warren wrote: As one canonically resident in the Diocese of Central Florida, I would like to point out the outstanding work of Archdeacon Linda Brondsted in supporting the diaconate in Central Florida as well as the attentive eye of Bishop Howe in supporting all orders of ministry in the diocese.  Both of these clergy have worked tirelessly to provide support for all their clerical brothers and sisters and the results show. September 1, 7:36 am | [comment link]

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