The Ordination

The ordination on Sunday of Deacon Slaughter took place before more than 400 people packed into St. Luke's in the Meadow Episcopal Church. Both the presiding bishop and the president of the House of Deputies sent greetings. Anderson had planned to be present, but had to cancel because of illness. She sent gifts to be delivered to Slaughter and to the diocese.

At Anderson's request, the letter was read by Katie Sherrod, a member of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church.

It began, "To the faithful, hopeful and persevering people of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, The Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick, Jr., St. Luke's in the Meadow Episcopal Church, The Rev. Susan Slaughter. From Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies and Companion on the Trail."

Anderson wrote, "Today certainly makes the case for hope. Today is the day that many people have hoped for, prayed for, worked for, cried over, and lost sleep over. Today is the day when we see hope realized in God's time."

She sent Slaughter a wooden cross and explained, "In the House of Deputies at the 76th General Convention in Anaheim in 2009, small wooden crosses were given to all the deputies, made by an artist from Eastern Oregon. Near the close of convention, the Diocese of Eastern Oregon presented me with a larger wooden cross made by the same artist. In their presentation they asked me to keep the cross until I felt the appropriate time to pass it on. Today is the time.

"Susan and the Sr. Warden: This cross is passed to you and the people of St. Luke's in the Meadow. Please know it comes to you in peace and thanksgiving for your courage and your ministry. When you feel it is the appropriate time to pass it on, please do."

The presiding bishop wrote, "To the faithful gathered for the ordination of Susan Slaughter:

"I give thanks to God for this sign of resurrection in the Diocese of Fort Worth. Many thought this day would never arrive, but you have all been faithful, hopeful, and highly persistent – not unlike the importunate widow. May the Rev. Slaughter be a living witness to the ministry of such seekers after justice, and may the widow's gifts spread abroad throughout the Diocese of Fort Worth. There are many of the least of these who are in abundant need of those gifts.

"Susan, may you bear lightly the symbol you become, knowing that it is Christ within you who bears all such burdens. May his light shine through you, and may those whom you help to gather around his table become his light-bearers as well."

Slaughter is a widow, her husband having died two years ago. She has been serving St. Luke's as deacon for the past seven years.

Two other women who have made history in the church also sent greetings to the Rev. Slaughter. The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris is the first woman bishop in the entire Anglican Communion [elected bishop suffragan of Massachusetts in 1988] and the Rt. Rev. Mary Adelia McLeod became the first woman diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Church when she was elected bishop of Vermont in 1993.

Bishop Harris wrote, "Please convey my warmest congratulations to Susan on her ordination to the priesthood there in Fort Worth. What a milestone event for all of you there . . . We all are thrilled at this historic event and pray God's richest blessings upon her as she moves into this new dimension of ministry."

Bishop McLeod wrote, "I join with all of you in celebration! Susan truly makes history. I hope one day she can celebrate the Eucharist in one of the vestments I gave to the diocese - in a real way - history meeting history!"

At least five of the more than 15 women who had to leave the diocese in previous years in order to be ordained priests returned "home" for the ordination. They processed with the clergy of the diocese and participated in the laying on of hands.