Derek is an Episcopal priest and a Franciscan tertiary in the Third Order, Society of St. Francis. Derek currently serves as Associate Rector at Good Shepherd Episcopal in Tequesta, FL. Derek has also worked as a school chaplain, a youth minister, worship leader, and bilingual (Spanish-English) preacher. He lives with his wife, two sons, and two cats in Jupiter, FL.
This evening I had the great opportunity to organize a beautiful service for economic justice with my friend and peer Ryan here at the Seminary of the Southwest. It was a powerful invitation for us to remember how important care of the poor and economic equity is in Scripture and in the Christian tradition. I especially loved the opportunity to pray the Franciscan Litany written by Vida Scudder published in the 1930 edition of the Manual for the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross.
The service was also an opportunity to experiment with an idea for contemporary chant I’ve been working on, a fusion of chant and contemporary Christian music. Here’s the Psalm I put together for the service:
This Sunday I will be preaching on Mark 8:31-38 and I’ve meditating a lot on this line:”If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
This past Saturday, at the end of the third week of Advent, December 19th, 2020, I was ordained to the transitional diaconate by Bishop Robert Wright at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta. It was a simple and beautiful service and I am so grateful for the movement of the Spirit in my life. I am grateful for all the encouragement and support from family and friends. I am excited about the future!
In Bishop Wright’s sermon there was a line towards the end that immediately imprinted itself on my soul, and I think I will carry it throughout my ministry. “Today you are being ordained in the wilderness, for the wilderness, at the behest of a wilderness God.”
The wilderness is a challenging place on the margins where people have stepped (or been pushed) outside of the established societal expectations and the status quo. That is exactly where God is. That is exactly where John was sent. In the midst of a pandemic, in an empty church, with little pomp and circumstance, that is where we were being ordained. That is where we are being called to serve. What a powerful vision.
Almost 10 years ago I heard a call to become an Episcopal priest. Since then I have been praying, discerning, studying, and preparing and now on December 19, 2020 at 2:00pm Eastern I will be ordained to the transitional diaconate at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta. After working for a few months as a deacon, God willing and the people consenting, I will be ordained as priest after I graduate from seminary in May. You can join in the service online here: https://www.episcopalatlanta.org/event/ordination-to-the-transitional-diaconate-livestream-dec-19/.
I hope you will continue to keep me in your prayers as I continue to discern how God is calling me to serve the Church and the world. Thanks for your love and support!
¡En menos de un mes voy a ser ordenado en la Diócesis de Atlanta!
Hace casi 10 años que comencé a escuchar un llamado a ser sacerdote episcopal. Desde entonces he estado orando, discerniendo, estudiando y preparándome y ahora, el 19 de diciembre de 2020 a las 2:00 pm hora del Este, voy a ser ordenado al diaconado de transición en la Catedral de San Felipe en Atlanta. Después de trabajar unos meses como diácono, si Dios quiere y la gente consiente, voy a ordenado sacerdote después de graduarme del seminario en mayo.Se publicará una invitación formal, pero puede unirse al servicio en línea aquí: https://www.episcopalatlanta.org/event/ordination-to-the-transitional-diaconate-livestream-dec-19/.
Espero que continúen manteniéndome en sus oraciones mientras continúo discerniendo cómo Dios me está llamando a servir a la Iglesia y al mundo. Gracias por su amor y apoyo!
Thoughts on Faith 