Meet Deacon Ordinands: Dr. Marcus Johnson, Palmer KennedySeptember 7, 2018 • CFE Staff  • DIOCESAN FAMILY

The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida will celebrate the ordination of eight deacons raised up from congregations inside and outside of the diocese on Saturday, Sept. 8, at The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke in Orlando. To commemorate this achievement, the ordinands joined us for a Q&A about their religious background, leadership roles, how the call to become a deacon transpired, and what their goals are for their respective ministries.

Part 2: Meet Dr. Marcus Johnson, Palmer Kennedy

Dr. Marcus Johnson

Johnson

Current church/capacity: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, Illinois, serving as a regular chalice-bearer, scripture-reader and acolyte.  Sponsoring parish:  All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Lakeland.

Deacon title: Transitional Diaconate.

Please briefly summarize your religious background as far as your upbringing and any leadership roles you may have held.

I was baptized a Roman Catholic and was received into communion through confirmation. Much of my young adult life was spent in baptistic/non-denominational churches. I have since been received into the communion of the Episcopal Church by confirmation, and very gladly so!

How did the call to become a deacon transpire for you?

My call to become a deacon came through the Lord Jesus, and through the encouragement of my rector, Father Mark Tusken.  It also came through an increasing desire to serve Christ’s Holy Bride, the Church.

How do you hope to help the Episcopal Church as a deacon?

I hope to help the Episcopal Church as a deacon by faithfully and joyfully participating in the Liturgy of Word and Sacrament, through which the people of God come to have ever-growing life in Christ Jesus. In addition, I hope to proclaim and teach the Holy Scriptures in accordance with the Truth revealed to the saints through ages and generations.

Palmer Kennedy

Kennedy

Current church/capacity: The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, Louisiana. On faculty as a teaching chaplain at Ascension Episcopal School and the lay minister to young families at the church. Sponsoring parish: St. James Episcopal Church, Leesburg.

Deacon title: Transitional Diaconate.

Please briefly summarize your religious background as far as your upbringing and any leadership roles you may have held.

I was raised in the United Methodist Church in Mobile, Alabama. I worked for a nondenominational/charismatic guest ranch in Northern California during the summers of my undergraduate years at Auburn University. While at Auburn, I participated in various youth and college ministries. As a seminarian at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama, I served as a youth minister at the Cathedral Church of the Advent.

How did the call to become a deacon transpire for you?

A call to ministry in Christ’s Church was impressed upon me while an undergraduate at Auburn, but it wasn’t until I got to Beeson that I began my journey into the Episcopal Church. Once there, it became clear that this call to ministry I had recognized while at Auburn was to the priesthood of the Episcopal Church.

How do you hope to help the Episcopal Church as a deacon?

I hope to serve the Episcopal Church in whatever capacity I am able. In the immediate future, it appears that this will continue to take place in the classroom and chapel services of Ascension Episcopal School as well as in the life of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension.