The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas recently ordained nine people into the diaconate. They are now serving as curates in diocesan parishes for about one year until, God willing, they are ordained into the priesthood. Meet our new curates: 

Name: The Rev. Nathan Webb

Curacy Church: St. James on the Lake

Hometown: Dallas

Colleges: University of North Texas, Wycliffe College

Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 6:5-7 "'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.' Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'"  

Hardest Part of Ministry: The most surprisingly difficult task is remembering people's names. 

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: Helping people discover their place in the unfolding story of God.

Rite 1 or Rite 2? Rite 1. If you know, you know.

 

Name: The Rev. Ian G. Hyde

Curacy Church: Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Terrell 

Hometown: Tyler

Colleges: The University of Texas at Tyler; Nashotah House Theological Seminary 

Favorite Bible Verse: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us–for it is written 'Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree'" (Galatians 3:13)

Hardest Part of Ministry: I have found that the most difficult part of ministry is being the kind of leader that does not superimpose his own shtick(s) or hobby horses onto the people that he serves. To my mind, learning to genuinely embrace and encourage the particularity of people is difficult but necessary work for ministry.

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: The opportunity to participate in–maybe even foster and strengthen–the already present gift of Jesus' resurrected life in the life of the congregation that you serve. 

Rite 1 or Rite 2? I don't want to be the token Nashotah guy, but I'll take Rite I. Give me the less truncated Eucharistic prayer, the prayer of humble access, and the self-oblation.

 

Name: The Rev. Jacob Robert Nichols

Curacy Church: St. James Episcopal Church, Dallas

Hometown: Lexington, Illinois.

Colleges: Lincoln Christian University (B.A. in Biblical Studies), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M. in Historical Theology), Wycliffe College (Certificate in Anglican Studies)

Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God”

Hardest Part of Ministry: Thus far, the hardest part of ministry for me has been learning to lean into the chaos and busyness of a minister’s schedule. Some say that the busyness of seminary is meant to train you for that, but it is a different kind of busy. Learning when and how to say “no” or “not right now” has been a hard thing for me growing up, so it is a skill I am trying to learn.

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: Meeting and sharing with God’s people has been a joy for me thus far. Risking vulnerability with new people is always hard, but I have been well loved at St. James, so it has made the risk worthwhile and a real joy.

Rite 1 or Rite 2? Whichever my parish is using because I believe I am there to meet them where they are, not to make things more comfortable for my own liturgical preferences.

 

Name: The Rev. Tyler Been

Curacy Church: Holy Cross in Paris

Hometown: North Prairie, Wisconsin

Schools: Columbia International University and Nashotah House Theological Seminary

Favorite Bible Verse: Exodus 3

Hardest Part of Ministry: I guess I'll tell you in about two years.

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: Getting to serve the church through Word and Sacrament.

Rite 1 or Rite 2? Rite 2: I like the language better, sorry.

 

Name: The Rev. David Beadle

Curacy Church: St. Matthew’s Cathedral 

Hometown: Kinder, LA

Colleges: University of Texas at Tyler; Wycliffe College, University of Toronto

Bible Verse: Rev 21:6

Hardest Part of Ministry: The hardest part of ministry for me is the variety of small details that have to be constantly ironed-out.

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: The most joyful part of ministry for me is when parishioners take a deeper interest in theology, worship, and service.

Rite 1 or Rite 2? Rite 1 because its prose is more suitable for worship and memorization, and the Prayer of Humble Access is an unmatched corporate preparation for the sacrament of Holy Communion. 

 

Name: The Rev. Samuel Cripps

Curacy Church: St. John’s, Dallas

Hometown: Cookeville, TN

Colleges: Nashotah House Theological Seminary

Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 1:21

Hardest Part of Ministry: Preaching on Trinity Sunday, and pulling my wife so far away from her family.

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: Getting to serve at the Altar of God and distribute the sacrament to the faithful. 

Rite 1 or Rite 2? This feels like a trick question. I have to go with Rite 1 or I worry that my seminary will think that I have failed as a Son of the House. My favorite prayer in the BCP is the prayer of humble access, even my friends who are Catholic priests are jealous of that one. 

 

Name: The Rev. Ignacio Gama

Curacy Church: Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Richardson

Hometown: Mexico City

Colleges: New England Conservatory of Music, Mannes School of Music, Nashotah House Theological Seminary.

Favorite Bible Verse: "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope." (Psalm 130:5)

Hardest Part of Ministry: In the past couple of years, it has been sobering for me to realize how very different each person’s walk with Christ can be. More and more I realize that it takes time, prayer, and dedication to serve parishioners well, especially when the pastoral matter in question has no easy solution. It is sometimes challenging to be fully present, but very much worthwhile and necessary.

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: It is a great joy to see a person gradually come to faith and witness the ways in which the Lord transforms his or her life. From changes in the way they relate to their family and coworkers, to their decision to follow a call to serve the Church in a committed way, so that others may partake of the same joy in Christ.

Rite 1 or Rite 2? I love them both, as they each bring different strengths to our worship.

 

Name: The Rev. Naomi Sundara

Curacy Church: Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

Hometown: Calgary, AB, Canada

Colleges: University of Alberta (Bachelors), Wycliffe College (M.Div.)

Favorite Bible Verse: Isaiah 41:9-10

Hardest Part of Ministry: The hardest part of ministry can be the loneliness. When your role sets you apart in some way (but also arguably necessary and inherent). This makes intentional friendship with peers absolutely vital.

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: The most joyful part of ministry is getting to see God at work in the people around you, healing hearts and changing lives in a way that reflects Christ's coming kingdom.

Rite 1 or Rite 2? Rite 1 because a) the more formal language facilitates me personally in approaching worship with a more somber piety, and b) it helps me feel connected to the historical church, the many generations who have prayed the prayer book before us, and the even greater cloud of witnesses with which we join in worship at any time. However, I definitely see the value of using rite 2 for folks who find the language of rite 1 to be alienating!

 

Name: The Rev. Gavin McAdam

Curacy Church: S. Mark’s Irving

Hometown: Henderson, Tx.

Colleges: ETBU, B.A. , Wycliffe College Toronto. 

Favorite Bible Verse: Lamentations 3: 25-29

Hardest Part of Ministry: I’m not very good with transitions. So the transition between seminarian and clergyperson, from Canada to Texas, and between a Canadian parish to a parish in Texas. It’s all good, but transitions can be challenging. 

Most Joyful Part of Ministry: The most joyful part of ministry for me is the opportunity to be with people through each of the moments of their lives. It’s a profound privilege to serve Christ’s people at the Lord’s Table and in the world. 

Rite 1 or Rite 2? Rite 1 Because it preserves Cranmer’s emphasis on the conversion of the heart via proclamation of the gospel.