Today, as we observe Ember Day in the Anglican Church, we are called to reflect on and pray for those journeying towards ordination, discerning their vocation, and all who serve in ordained ministry. It is a moment to contemplate the sacredness of ministry and the divine call that brings people forward to serve the Church.
The collect for today speaks directly to this journey. It reminds us of our shared calling in the ministry of Christ, our Great High Priest. As the prayer says: “Heavenly Father, you have entrusted to your Church a share in the ministry of your Son, our great High Priest: call many through your Holy Spirit into the ordained ministry of your Church and inspire them to respond to your call.”
In my own path to ordination, this collect resonates deeply. The process of discernment, study, and preparation has been one of listening—listening for the voice of the Spirit and the community, and allowing that call to shape my journey. The experience has been humbling, a reminder that this path is not about my own desires but about responding faithfully to God’s call, just as Christ responded to the Father in service and sacrifice.
As I approach my ordination as a deacon, I am increasingly aware of the immense trust placed upon those who are called to serve the Church. I reflect on the support I have received from my parishes, my family, and those who have walked this journey with me. Their prayers, encouragement, and companionship have been a testament to the interconnectedness of the Body of Christ, where no vocation exists in isolation.
For those discerning a call to the ordained ministry, I pray that they may have the courage to embrace the uncertainty and joy of this journey. May they find strength in their communities, wisdom in their theological studies, and peace in the knowledge that they are not alone in their discernment. Theological colleges, such as my own College of the Transfiguration, play a vital role in shaping and equipping those who will go on to serve. The formation process, both academic and spiritual, grounds us in the tradition of the Church while opening us to the work of the Spirit.
For those already ordained, may today serve as a reminder of the sacred trust they hold. The ordination vows are not just words but a lifelong commitment to serve Christ and His Church with humility, love, and perseverance. In a world that is ever-changing and in need of hope, the ministry of the ordained remains a beacon of God’s unchanging grace and mercy.
On this Ember Day, let us hold in prayer those who are about to be ordained, those discerning their vocation, and all who serve Christ through their ordained ministry. May we all, whether ordained or lay, remember that we are each called to a life of service, following the example of Christ, who gave everything for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
May the Holy Spirit inspire us, as the collect asks, to respond to God’s call—whether in ordained ministry or in our everyday lives—and to live out that calling faithfully.
Grace and Peace
Vanda
