Colleen Swope, in formation and discernment to be a deacon, is getting ready to spend at least a year away from us in an intensive season of learning and growth in another faith community. To recognize and celebrate Colleen before she embarks on this next chapter, we invited her to preach a sermon during the service on Sunday, July 24th.
About Colleen:
Colleen and her husband Charles have been members at St. John the Evangelist since Lent of 2012. They were drawn by the music, the sermons, and the people. The clergy and lay people that make up St John’s made them feel part of something larger from the start.
Colleen has lead Faith in Action ministry, has had a seat on the Vestry, been a part of Altar Guild, participated as a Reader, Eucharistic Minister, and Acolyte. Her understanding of the Liturgy grew as she took part in the preparation of services.
All of this work culminated in her realization that she had a call for the Diaconate. Colleen is about to begin her second year as a postulant. This means an internship away from ‘home’ to truly understand if this is work she wants to do and if it is something she can do. She will be serving her internship under the direction of the Reverend Deacon Rex Mckee at St. John the Baptist Episcopal church in Minneapolis.
She is grateful to everyone at St. John the Evangelist, past and present, that helped in her growth and discovery of her vocation to the Diaconate. All will remain in her prayers as this amazing journey continues.
