The Rev. Deacon
Emily Cardwell
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Dear ECOS Friends,
During the past year, my focus with Church of Our Saviour has been to see how the church and its members exist as a parish, to look at the ways things have been done in the past, and to consider if there are new ways of accomplishing church tasks and responsibilities without a priest. My role is not meant to be a place holder for a priest, but an opportunity to guide, counsel, and encourage the church community as they become more strengthened and confident to proceed as secure, vibrant lay-leaders, without a priest.
For almost a year and a half, we have continued being the church in this new-found way. It's probably hard to see what we are doing together if you are looking only at my role, as I am only here two Sundays a month and every Wednesday.
I will continue to:
- be available for individuals to discuss any faith or personal concerns,
- help with liturgy planning and any services needed as I am able - typically funerals.
- assisting those interested in joining the church, learning about our faith and preparing them for baptism or confirmation,
- support the vestry, ask questions on what’s most important for us as a church and,
- welcome new visitors and members, etc.
What I also hope to focus on as we continue our journey together is encourage ideas from the congregation and be supportive, equip members for ministry roles that excite them and where there is a gift/passion, create a “playbook” for our vestry about what to do when faced with various issues: who to ask, where to find information, what to worry about, and of what to let go.
With some of this in mind, I am looking for people who would like to:
- join in pastoral care (visiting those who are ill or infirm),
- eucharistic ministers (those who would like to assist the visiting priest with serving communion),
- eucharistic visitors (those who would like to take communion to those who aren’t able to come to service) and,
- other important ministries in the church.
So please let me know if any of these are of interest to you, as well as any I haven’t yet mentioned.
In Christ,
Deacon Emily
Bio of Deacon Emily Cardwell
The Rev. Deacon Emily Cardwell was ordained on September 22, 2018, after completing her education at The Diocese of Southern Ohio - School for The Diaconate. She feels lucky to have trained and served at several churches within our diocese including The Church of the Good Shepherd - Lexington, St. Michael the Archangel-Lexington, and St. John’s-Versailles. Emily is a former Roman Catholic who found exactly what she was looking for in her pursuit and understanding of God, within The Episcopal Church. The teachings of The Episcopal Church resound deeply with what she knows and understands of God, Jesus and The Spirit. The message of all-inclusive love, the rootedness in Scripture, the desire to strive to live out Jesus’s teachings and participation in the sacramental worship and traditions, all serve to anchor her happily and firmly, within this Christian tradition.
Emily’s passions are helping people grasp God’s love, both individually and collectively and how to live out that knowledge in the world. She is confident that Jesus truly is “The Way, The Truth and The Life,” and that we have such hope and freedom with that knowledge. She has been involved with prison ministry, providing a listening ministry for individuals as well as teaching spirituality classes for The Hope Center Recovery program within the Fayette County Detention Center prior to Covid issues. She has taught classes, preached, led Quiet Days, assisted with worship and provided pastoral care among other things.
Emily loves to see people grow in their relationship with God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit and believes that we should never stop learning and seeking to deepen our faith. She is very excited to serve alongside the people of The Church of Our Saviour and will be specifically focusing on empowering the laity and strengthening engagement with the wider community. Research shows that a church is at its best, when its vision includes the needs and interests of the local community.
Emily has been married to her husband Jeff, for 28 years. They live in Versailles and have three adult children: Leah, Quinn and Willa. Emily loves reading, gardening, spending time with family, fixing - building -making things for the home, the outdoors, and her pets, of which there are several: 2 dogs, 2 turtles, and 2 ferrets (Willa’s girls).
