By the grace of God and with the consent of the people of God...

...was the opening line of the invitation to the ordination.

Before the service at St. James Cathedral
the acolytes (the one on the left is the daughter of my friend)
light the candles on the altar.


What a morning - what an afternoon.
(It was a long service.)
Two friends of mine have just finished three years of seminary
and were ordained this morning as deacons in the Episcopal Church;
in six months they will be ordained priests.

The eight newly ordained deacons prepare to join the processional
at the end of the service.

It was a wonderful service in a gorgeous space;
with glorious music, inspiring prayers and hymns,
and an occasion to be thankful.

Photo op with the bishop after the service.

And the closing voluntary was one of my absolute favorites:
Charles-Marie Vidor's Toccata