The Episcopal Church has three orders to which one may be ordained: deacons, priests and bishops. The first step for all is ordination to the Diaconate. A deacon's role is to serve as a link between the church and the world, representing Christ and his Church, especially to those in need. Deacons serve under the authority of a bishop, carrying out their ministry by proclaiming the gospel, leading intercessions, assisting in worship, and acting as a servant to the community.

Some are ordained as ‘transitional’ deacons as they work toward ordination to the priesthood, most often within the next year. Others are ordained as perpetual, or vocational, deacons who serve the church in a variety of ways. One role a deacon can serve is that of Archdeacon, such as The Venerable Cindy Campos in the Diocese of San Diego. As Archdeacon, she often accompanies the Bishop, as she did at our Celebration of New Ministry in September. Cindy may be known to some of us as far back as 1979, when she first became a member of Good Samaritan.

Archdeacon Cindy was ordained into the vocational diaconate on September 12, 2020. She has served our diocese in this role for the past three years, providing leadership, communications, community-building, and pastoral support for the deacon community, in collaboration with the Bishop. She is a member of the Commission on Ministry (COM) and the Title IV Disciplinary Board in the diocese. She also serves as one of the chaplains for retired clergy and their spouses. On most Sundays, Cindy can be found with the Bishop at one of the Bishop’s visitations throughout the diocese. She also finds time to serve in some capacity as part of a border ministry.

Soon we will have the pleasure of seeing Cindy more often at Good Samaritan. She will still continue her role as Archdeacon, making regular visits with Bishop Susan and having the opportunity to speak about the ordained ministry of a deacon as well as serve as a deacon if the church does not have one. In addition, she will now be joining us at Good Sam on Sundays when she is not accompanying the bishop. This will likely include some Holy Days, such as Ash Wednesday or Holy Week.

I’m sure you will all offer Archdeacon Cindy a warm welcome. We look forward to getting to know her better in the weeks ahead.

Blessings,
Fr. Paul