BISHOP ORDAINS ERB-WHITE TO THE DIACONATE

Bishop Beckwith with the newly ordained deacon, Norman Erb-White

On the Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle (Thursday, August 24, 2006) the Right Reverend Peter H. Beckwith, tenth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield ordained Norman Marion Erb-White to the Diaconate in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Springfield, Illinois.

The presenters at the ordination were Deborah Erb-White, wife of the ordinand, his children Caleb, Patrick and Thomas, The Rev. Tara L. Jernigan, a deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and the preacher at the ordination, The Reverend Christopher V. Coats, Rector of St. George’s, Belleville, IL and the Very Reverend Anthony B. Holder, Dean of the Darrow Deanery and President of the Standing Committee. The Reverend Rebecca Erb-Strang and Norman Taylor read the first and second lessons respectively. The litanist was The Venerable Shawn W. Denney, who was also the Chaplain to the Bishop. The Rev. Martha Bradley served as Deacon of the Eucharist, while the Very Reverend Robert E. Brodie, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Springfield, Illinois was Master of Ceremonies. Oblation bearers were James and Teresa Russell. The vergers, acolytes and ushers were members of the Cathedral Church with Alice Edwards as the Organist and the Choir Director was Janette Kirkham.

In her sermon, The Reverend Tara Jernigan, a deacon at the Church of the Nativity in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, illustrated the lives of the prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament and Stephen, a deacon in the New Testament as a model by which Norman and all people should live. Deacon Tara spoke about Jeremiah’s life being the pattern of God’s chosen prophetic leaders. However what is more significant is that when Jeremiah is suddenly “called outside his comfort zone,” recognizing his limitations, yet he comes to the knowledge that God knows his liabilities and yet He promises to equip him (and us)  Deacons Norman Erb-White and Tara Jernigan  with what we need in order to accomplish the task he has given us to do.

In her commendation of Stephen, Deacon Jernigan remarked that Stephen is one of her “personal heroes.” She continued, “In Stephen, we see the limits of fallen humanity stretched to the max.  Stephen is a fantastic demonstration of what this real-life, risk-taking, obedient, faithful ministry looks like.” One of the challenges of her sermon was in reference to a lecture given by The Right Reverend Benjamin Kwashi, Bishop of Jos, which she and a congregation which consisted primarily of men and women who are in formation for ordained ministry attended. Deacon Tara cited Bishop Kwashi’s challenging question:  “Are you going to be wavering leaders or are you going to stand up for what you believe? Stephen’s response is clear. Even in the face of instigators and charges of blasphemy, Stephen is a bold and knowledgeable preacher of the Gospel of Jesus.” She advised Norman to recognize that the role of a deacon is more than just waiting on tables. She said, “Stephen seems to have no sense of anything being outside his job description. We read that he was full of God’s power and doing great wonders and signs among the people.” A deacon must see his work as being among the needy. In her conclusion, she charged the congregation not to just celebrate with the Erb-White family and then leave this place; but we are to uphold Norman in the ministry to which we promised to do. Deacon Jernigan also invited the congregation to pray for and encourage Norman and his family in this new ministry.

Immediately following the service, a reception was held in the Cathedral Atrium and a presentation was made to Deacon Erb-White by the parish family of St. George’s Episcopal Church, Belleville, Illinois, Norman’s home parish and the place where his ordination formation began.

Click here for Deacon Erb-White’s Biography

Click here for photos of the Ordination