I went to my friend's ordination yesterday. He is now a deacon in the Charismatic Episcopal Church. It was quite an experience.

I was brought home to a familiar upbringing, seeing that I grew up Episcopal. It was very high church, with lots of incense and jazz. The garments were very traditional, more so than the ones I wore as an acolyte. The service was at times a bit stuffy, and very reverent, until at one point the rock band began to blare. Hymns turned into a trio of contemporary praise songs. The small church blared with horrible acoustics and old men in collars through up their hands and irreverently rocked their bodies to the concert-like atmosphere. Screaming shouts of praise upon each song's completion. Then back again to the more formal atmosphere.

One incredible observation about the assignment to the deacon is the incredible stress the bishop laid upon the diaconates to serve the poor and oppressed. It is their watch as associates of the bishop to charge and serve these people.

I do not agree with the Charismatic Episcopal Church regarding women, and I'm sure other theological positions I would typically oppose, but the time was a treasured one. It was great to support a friend and great to experience two forms of church that I never thought to be compatible in the States.

Congrats to Deacon Michael. I am thankful for your charge to serve the poor and oppressed.

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