Today, delegates approved Petition 60489 which says, “[O]ffering the means of grace to the world, the resident bishop of an annual conference in which the deacon is appointed may authorize the deacon to preside at the celebration of the sacraments.”
In simpler terms, the passing of this petition allows deacons to directly request authority to celebrate over the communion table themselves. To this date, deacons have had to make this request through an elder appointed alongside them or a district superintendent.
DJ del Rosario spoke with deacon Rev. Kay Barckley and certified deacon candidate Rachel Neer to get their perspective on the change.
