We will welcome deacon intern Michelle Dibblee this month, so I want to take this moment to do a little reflection with you about the specific ministry of… vocational formation. From a deep place of care, some of you have said “We need a seminarian to help you out!” And I say, “They are here to learn. Even in the best-case scenario, the time we offer to support them is an even exchange for the time they ‘save’ us.”
And you all know this. You’ve served on the committees that offer interns and seminarians feedback and support, and you’ve done it well (see below).
The action is there, so I want to call your attention to it and remind you to see this work as ministry—and not just in the church context. If there is an intern at your work or if you serve as a mentor to someone—that work is ministry, and it is worthy of being lifted up to God as an offering. If you encounter a resident or intern at a doctor’s appointment, give thanks for the opportunity to be a part of someone’s learning to be a healer. Did the electrician show up with an apprentice? Be glad wisdom is being passed on.
Pray for Michelle, our deacon intern… but also pray for those apprentices and trainees that you encounter beyond the church. These times of intense discernment and formation have such an impact on a person’s future sense of call, well-being, and fulfillment—surely these periods are holy. God blesses us and entrusts us with great responsibility when God calls us to the ministry of welcoming an intern.
I know I don’t have a full record in my head of all the interns and seminarians that St. Luke’s has welcomed—but I can share updates with you about some of them. Katherine Bush is an associate at Calvary Episcopal Church in Memphis, TN. Blake Rider currently is the Rector at St. Stephen’s in Huntsville, TX. He has served as the transition minister for the Diocese of TX and the Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of NY. Lonnie Lacy now serves as rector of St. John’s in Tallahassee, FL, and was a candidate for Bishop for the Diocese of GA. He experienced a moment of fame during the pandemic with his parody video based on the song “You’ll be back” from Hamilton, assuring his Tifton, GA, congregation that “We’ll be back.” Kristen Hawley is Rector at St. David’s in DC. Megan Dembi is Minister for Children’s Formation at St. Stephen’s in Boise, ID along with also being an Educational Data Scientist for Idaho Digital Learning Alliance. George Wong serves as Rector of St. John’s in Maui, HI. Katlin (Katie) McCallister was also in HI but now serves as Canon for Intergenerational Ministry in the Diocese of Arizona. Cara Rockhill splits her time between St. Augustine’s in DC and serving as chaplain at Georgetown U, and Sally Lermond—our first ever deacon intern—now serves as deacon at St. Peter’s in Poolesville. Katie Beth Miksa is rector of Good Shepherd, Parkersburg, WV, and… you get periodic visits from Elizabeth Ewing when she comes to serve as supply priest when the Cardinals play the Nationals, so you know how she’s doing!
-Jessica Hitchcock, Rector
