There are four answers to that question and I think I need to present them to you, dear reader, at the outset of my blogging journey. And since I am a linear thinker (some would say simple-minded), I will create a list. I prefer bullet points to numbering.

• Deacons are required by their ordination “to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.” We are also required, in the name of Jesus Christ, “to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.” When you put these two parts of our ordination vows together, they call deacons to find their prophetic voice. Well, I am trying to find mine.
• Now, because of reason number one, I find myself immensely frustrated by observing what is going on around us in this country. It is especially frustrating to hear about how “exceptional” we are and to hear all sorts of politicians close their speeches with the words “God Bless the United States of America” or some variation thereof. So, in addition to trying to find my prophetic voice as mandated by my ordination, I am blogging out of real frustration.
• Although I cannot speak for the Episcopal Church, nor for the Diocese of Rhode Island, nor, even, for the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Newport where I serve, I can speak as a vocational deacon in good standing (so far) within the Episcopal Church. And, as opposed to those who think clergy should steer clear of politics and policy, I believe the Church is called to stand for something and to speak out about things that are manifestly contrary to Christian and, not incidentally, Jewish, teaching. So, I would like to, in a tiny way, be a “voice crying in the wilderness.”
• Finally, as should be obvious from the foregoing, I am doing this because I plan to enjoy it.

Now, to further explain whence I come I shall begin by sharing with you two sermons I preached on or around July 4th of 2015 and 2016. I used those occasions to talk about Christian Patriotism. If you read these sermons, blog posts 2 and 3,  and find them less than edifying, then you probably will not enjoy at least a portion of my future blog posts.

Finally, why did I name my blog The Quixotic Deacon? The simple answer is that “Tilting at Windmills” was already taken. Since I am acutely aware that my writing is not going to change the world, this blog is essentially a form of tilting at windmills as Don Quixote famously did.

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