I find it hard to believe that this is happening. On October 9, I met with my Rector and priest-in-charge and shared with her my sense of calling into the diaconate. We had a really good conversation. She referred me to the diocesan website, which I had already visited and told me to print out the nomination form for Holy Orders. That same day, I was officially trained by my parish to be a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM). Essentially LEMs assist the priest with serving communion during mass and also takes communion out with the sick and infirmed. I've already served at St. Mary's during the Bishop's visitation, and am scheduled to serve again in December for the Christmas Eucharist.
I am fortunate enough to be a part of two vibrant communities of faith. I teach at an Episcopal girls school with a full-time episcopal chaplain on staff and in-residence, and my church home, St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. After prayer and contemplation, I decided that it would be best that I begin my quest for holy orders through St. Mary's Chapel. I have spoken with both my former and current chaplains and they are esctatic for me. St. Mary's is where I was first introduced to the Episcopal Church and I have access to my chaplain five days a week. Her office is literally under mine. My discernment committee will be comprised of students and collegues from St. Mary's as well as some of my church members from St. Ambrose.
I've just jumped through the first hoop of my nomination to Holy Orders. As of October 19, 2010, my nomination form was filled out by the Reverend Ann Bonner-Stewart. The nomination form was mailed to the Diocesan house attentioned to the Bishop, a month and some change before the deadline of the first Sunday in Advent. This is only the beginning.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
So, why an Episcopalian?
That's a good question. I have experienced the presence of God, the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in a myriad of ways. I grew up in the Missionary Baptist Church, was baptized at the age of seven, at which time, it was told to my grandmother that I would be a preacher. Up to this point, most of my life; childhood, adolesence, and adulthood, I have always been Baptist.
Then you have to throw in that I was educated in a Roman Catholic School right on up through Junior High School. The Catholic Church was presented to me in my day-to-day education. I guess you could say that I was Catholic Monday-Friday, and Baptist Saturday-Sunday. Before I committed to my present church home, I was spiritually fostered by a very historic and loving African Methodist Episcopal Church home. At. St. Paul AME, I was introduced to African Methodism. I love and embrace the motto of the church, God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, Man our Brother. The AME Church was established by Bishop Richard Allen, and was the first Christian denomination estblished by african-americans because they were forced to sit in the gallery at a Methodist Church in Philadelphia.
If you would have told me two years ago that I would be an Episcopalian, I would have laughed and said no way Jose. But, I am a confirmed communicant in good standing at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. This church dates back to 1868, and has a rich history locally and in the state of North Carolina. Many saints have gathered to worship through the years. But my introduction to the Episcopal Church (TEC) came in the Fall of 2004. It was during this time that I began to teach Spanish at Saint Mary's School, formerly St. Mary's College in Raleigh, NC.
It was in the school's chapel and eucharist services that I fell in love with the liturgy of the word and sacrament. It was there that I developed a fondness for the contemplativeness of corporate worship. It was there that I made contact with two people that mentored me spiritually, the Reverends Andrea Wigodsky Rohrs, and Ann Bonner-Stewart. It was at St. Mary's chapel where I heard my bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Curry minister to me for the first time. It was at St. Mary's Chapel where I began to work in ministry, planning for the MLK Chapel Service, Heritage Chapel Services, Episcopal Farm Worker Ministry Haitian Relief and sharing my journey of faith in the Fellow Travelers program. It was also at St. Mary's where the Millenium Development Goals of the Episcopal Church were presented to me. These eight deliniated items are things that are very passionate to me. It was at that point that I knew I wanted to be an Episcopalian, and an even better Christian. I often tell people that I was Episcopalian for five years before I was confirmed. The Episcopal Church welcomed me and my imperfections. It is not perfect, but what church is? I am an Episcopalian because I know that I want to serve God, his people and his holy, catholic and apostolic church, in the hope that my works will find favor in his sight.
Then you have to throw in that I was educated in a Roman Catholic School right on up through Junior High School. The Catholic Church was presented to me in my day-to-day education. I guess you could say that I was Catholic Monday-Friday, and Baptist Saturday-Sunday. Before I committed to my present church home, I was spiritually fostered by a very historic and loving African Methodist Episcopal Church home. At. St. Paul AME, I was introduced to African Methodism. I love and embrace the motto of the church, God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, Man our Brother. The AME Church was established by Bishop Richard Allen, and was the first Christian denomination estblished by african-americans because they were forced to sit in the gallery at a Methodist Church in Philadelphia.
If you would have told me two years ago that I would be an Episcopalian, I would have laughed and said no way Jose. But, I am a confirmed communicant in good standing at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. This church dates back to 1868, and has a rich history locally and in the state of North Carolina. Many saints have gathered to worship through the years. But my introduction to the Episcopal Church (TEC) came in the Fall of 2004. It was during this time that I began to teach Spanish at Saint Mary's School, formerly St. Mary's College in Raleigh, NC.
It was in the school's chapel and eucharist services that I fell in love with the liturgy of the word and sacrament. It was there that I developed a fondness for the contemplativeness of corporate worship. It was there that I made contact with two people that mentored me spiritually, the Reverends Andrea Wigodsky Rohrs, and Ann Bonner-Stewart. It was at St. Mary's chapel where I heard my bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Curry minister to me for the first time. It was at St. Mary's Chapel where I began to work in ministry, planning for the MLK Chapel Service, Heritage Chapel Services, Episcopal Farm Worker Ministry Haitian Relief and sharing my journey of faith in the Fellow Travelers program. It was also at St. Mary's where the Millenium Development Goals of the Episcopal Church were presented to me. These eight deliniated items are things that are very passionate to me. It was at that point that I knew I wanted to be an Episcopalian, and an even better Christian. I often tell people that I was Episcopalian for five years before I was confirmed. The Episcopal Church welcomed me and my imperfections. It is not perfect, but what church is? I am an Episcopalian because I know that I want to serve God, his people and his holy, catholic and apostolic church, in the hope that my works will find favor in his sight.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Who? What? Where? When? How? Why?
Let's start with the Who? I am Karsten Tyson, son of Beverly and Robert with several nicknames (KT, K-Rock, Profe, Stena, Stenski and Karstenski) I have been adopted into the family of God. I have recently acknowledged the call of God in my life to be of service to his holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I grew up in the Missionary Baptist Church with very devout grandparents on both sides. I am now an Episcopalian. The Baptist Church will always have a special place in my heart, but the liturgy and Mass have won me over. We can thank my parents for sending me to Catholic School. Teaching at an Episcopal School doesn't help either.
What?: Simply put, I have been called into ministry to be of service in God's Holy Church. I have finally embraced my calling and told God that I would do it.
Where?: I am a true southern gentleman (Bow ties and seersuckers), what would I do outside of the land flowing with sweet tea and honey. But more specifically, I am located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
When?: Ever since young adulthood, I have sensed some purpose beyond myself to serve in ministry. I had fun along the way, doing things that young people do. I have known that there was some type of calling on my life even while I was a deeply devout Baptist. I would simply pretend that it didn't exist, ignore it, or occupy myself with other things. But finally, I yielded myself to God, realizing that I am not perfect but willing to be used by him for the advancement of his Kingdom. I had this epiphany on September 22, 2010 at 6:57 am, while brushing my teeth.
When?: As soon as I speak with my Rector, I will begin discernment into the Diaconate. I have talked with my school Chaplains at length, as well as another priest in my diocese.
How?: "I will, with God's help," and through the boldness and authority of the Holy Spirit, will I set out to do what God is calling me to do.
Why?: Because God loves me, and I love him. In keeping with the opening lines of the Baptist Church Covenant, which states; Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, do most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant one with another, as one body in Christ. This is the reason I have reached this junction in my life.
Thanks be to God!
What?: Simply put, I have been called into ministry to be of service in God's Holy Church. I have finally embraced my calling and told God that I would do it.
Where?: I am a true southern gentleman (Bow ties and seersuckers), what would I do outside of the land flowing with sweet tea and honey. But more specifically, I am located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
When?: Ever since young adulthood, I have sensed some purpose beyond myself to serve in ministry. I had fun along the way, doing things that young people do. I have known that there was some type of calling on my life even while I was a deeply devout Baptist. I would simply pretend that it didn't exist, ignore it, or occupy myself with other things. But finally, I yielded myself to God, realizing that I am not perfect but willing to be used by him for the advancement of his Kingdom. I had this epiphany on September 22, 2010 at 6:57 am, while brushing my teeth.
When?: As soon as I speak with my Rector, I will begin discernment into the Diaconate. I have talked with my school Chaplains at length, as well as another priest in my diocese.
How?: "I will, with God's help," and through the boldness and authority of the Holy Spirit, will I set out to do what God is calling me to do.
Why?: Because God loves me, and I love him. In keeping with the opening lines of the Baptist Church Covenant, which states; Having been led as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, do most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant one with another, as one body in Christ. This is the reason I have reached this junction in my life.
Thanks be to God!
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