The Province 1 Executive Committee is overjoyed to announce that the Rev. Charlotte LaForest has been appointed the new Dean for the Province 1 School for Deacons! She will begin her ministry with the school on March 1st.
LaForest brings to the school a passion for the diaconate and a deep understanding of the importance of formation, collaboration, and social justice being the focus for our school. She has served a variety of churches in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut and is also a licensed social worker.
The search committee made up of the Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens (CT), the Rev. Susan McMillian (VT), the Rev. Margot Page (WMA), the Rev. Aaron Perkins (ME), the Rev. Derek Scalia (NH), and the Rev. Grace Swinski (RI) interviewed several exceptional candidates for the position. As the search continued, it was clear that the Rev. Charlotte LaForest was the right choice for the school at this time.
LaForest noted “The ministry of deacons is more important than ever. Their ministry of hope brings the good news of the Gospel outside of church buildings and into the world. I’m excited to be a part of the next chapter of The Province 1 School for Deacons, a model of collaboration and creativity that is well suited to the 21st century church. My hope is that the work we do at the School will serve the formation and flourishing of deacons at all stages of their ministries.”
Bishop Ahrens, who serves as chair of the Province 1 School for Deacons Advisory Council added, “Charlotte’s energy and creativity are exactly what we need for the school at this time. We are excited to walk with Charlotte in the continuing evolution of the school as it seeks to offer formation to deacons seeking to help all of us share God’s love and proclaim God’s justice with compassion and courage. I am looking forward to working with Charlotte in the years ahead!”
Olive Swinski, Province 1 President shared, “The Province 1 School for Deacons has been and will continue to be an essential ministry of Province 1. As Charlotte begins this new ministry, I look forward to seeing how her gifts shape and move the school forward.”
We have been blessed by the exceptional leadership of the Rev. Dr. Lynda Tyson as the school’s current dean. As we welcome Charlotte, we also want to offer our thanks and gratitude to Lynda for her oversight and shepherding for the past five years.
Province 1 School for Deacons is a ten-year-old collaborative education initiative of six New England dioceses of The Episcopal Church: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Western Massachusetts. To learn more about our two-year deacon formation program visit our webpage and check out our video and topical trailers