The Rev. Natasha Glenderran

Deacons in the Church of God serve in the name of Christ, and so remind the whole Church that serving is essential to all ministry. They have a special responsibility to ensure that those in need are cared for with Christlike compassion and humility. When called upon to do so, they may baptise, preach and give instruction in the faith. When the people are gathered for worship, deacons are authorised to read the Holy Scriptures, lead the prayers, and distribute the bread and wine of Holy Communion.

These words from the NZ Prayer Book would have been said to our friend Natasha, as she was ordained a deacon on Saturday 24 November. Because we both feel Natasha's journey to ordination has been partly our journey as well, a journey in which she has had to hold tenaciously on to God, we both felt sad that we were unable to be there. But we did share in her joy from a distance! We were also very pleased to see that someone had updated the name plate on her door to reflect her new 'reverential' status!

The other day in class, I (Nathan) took my pocket New Testament from my bag (yes - theological students do read the Bible!), where it fell open at the 'presentation' page. I was reminded that Natasha gave me this New Testament as a birthday presentation in 1999. This got me thinking about all the immense ways God has blessed Bron and me through Natasha. Natasha - you have been a loyal, wise, open and loving friend. We are both deeply grateful to God for you! And we both pray that as you enter this new phase in your ministry, that God will continue to richly bless others through you!