Seekin' Deacon

In this inspiring episode of The Seekin' Deacon, Septina Florimonte shares her spiritual journey, reflecting on faith, service, and the transformative power of walking alongside others with compassion and dignity. Through stories from her ministry, nursing career, and leadership in the Daughters of the King, Septina offers a thoughtful perspective on how serving others can deepen our own relationship with Christ and bring hope to those we encounter along the way.

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Cuyler O'Connor sits down with Septina Florimonte to discuss her journey of faith, service, and leadership. From her work as a nurse and community advocate to her experiences with the United Nations and the Episcopal Church, Septina shares how caring for others and navigating family challenges deepened her faith and shaped her calling to serve. A thoughtful conversation on resilience, prayer, and living a life rooted in human dignity and love.

In Season 3, Episode 6 of Seekin' Deacon, Cuyler O'Connor sits down with Bishop Michael Curry for a thoughtful conversation on love as a conscious and disciplined way of life. Together, they explore how intentional love shapes discipleship, the challenges of navigating moral responsibility within society, and the importance of justice, compassion, and humility in a complex world. Bishop Curry reflects on peacemaking, global responsibility, and how small acts of love can create meaningful change. The episode concludes with a blessing and encouragement to continue seeking where the Spirit leads.

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Cuyler O'Connor sits down with Bishop Michael Curry to reflect on the experiences that shaped his calling and commitment to love and justice. From transformative college influences to discerning his vocation, Bishop Curry shares wisdom on living out faith in a way that helps move the world closer to God's dream. A thoughtful conversation about calling, courage, and choosing love in challenging times

In this episode of Seekin' Deacon, Rev. Cuyler O'Connor sits down with Bishop Michael Curry for a reflective conversation on faith, vocation, and the spiritual journey. Bishop Curry shares stories from his upbringing in a deeply rooted yet open-minded Christian family, shaped by the Civil Rights Movement and a commitment to justice. He reflects on how those early experiences—alongside influential voices encountered during his college years—helped him connect faith with action in the world. Together, they explore the intersection of personal spirituality and social responsibility, the challenges of modern life, and the enduring human longing for meaning, connection, and divine love.

Bishop Dion Johnson discusses how churches must change to survive by focusing on hospitality, listening to their communities, and adapting worship and spaces to meet real needs—especially of younger generations and families. He shares practical examples of asking honest questions, welcoming feedback, and reimagining church life to be more accessible and relational. Johnson emphasizes empowering lay leadership, doing fewer ministries well, and shifting toward a "lay-led, clergy-supported" model. He also reflects on his personal spiritual practices—daily prayer, walking, and listening—and concludes with a central message: remember that each person's first and lasting identity is being God's beloved, and live accordingly.

In Season 3, Episode 2 of Seekin' Deacon, Rev. Cuyler O'Connor continues his conversation with Bishop Deon Johnson of the Diocese of Missouri. Bishop Johnson reflects on the power of mystery in faith, the formative influence of his grandmother, and the importance of embracing God's messiness rather than sanitizing it. Addressing today's social and spiritual challenges, he speaks about planting seeds for long-term justice, sustaining hope amid division, and reimagining the church's future by returning to Jesus' practice of listening, asking questions, and meeting people where they are.

In the season three premiere of Seekin' Deacon, vocational deacon Rev. Cuyler O'Connor is joined by Bishop Deon Johnson of the Diocese of Missouri for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, vocation, and spiritual depth in times of crisis. Bishop Johnson shares his journey from Barbados to New York, seminary formation during 9/11, parish ministry in Michigan, and his consecration as bishop on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on ministry shaped by crisis, he speaks to the church's call to compassion and presence. The conversation concludes with a thoughtful exploration of the deep spiritual hunger of younger generations and the church's opportunity to reclaim mystery, contemplative practices, and experiential faith as pathways to authentic connection.

We spend more time exploring the song sung by Tori Ellington and collaborated with Pastor Curtis Mulder at the Ekklesia Church at Raleigh.  Digging deeper into the song's lyrics, influences from both spiritual and human forces. The rough edges of taking a hard look at our world but knowing that the church is a family that can grow in many ways, not just by attendance. I want to thank Curtis and Tori for their time and for sharing the song journey.  Please take a listen' at Ekklesia Raleigh-Another Leaf where all your tasty tunes can be found.   Keep seekin' my friends.  Cuyler

I recently had the opportunity to listen to "Another Leaf" by Curtis Mulder and Tori Ellington, live at the "Loaves and Fishes" building at the New Hope Collaborative. The inspirations were drawn from the space we sat in and how it is shared with other non-profits—the idea of an expanding table and pulling out "another leaf" to make more room. Also, a piece of artwork that sits in the main campus building by Scott Erickson is a modern icon. This is an image of God's hand and palm, lifted, with birds perched on it. This speaks to the Holy expansion of God's welcome to all. It is noted that we currently lack songs that express and expand God's presence to the ever-growing, broader community. Please take a listen to the song at the end of the podcast and it's ever freeing power to free people up to express themselves with art. I am confident you will get chill bumps. Gratitude to Tori and Curtis for taking time out of your busy schedules to share this gift. Peace friends!

Rev. Deacon Pam and I discuss different perspectives on respect and love, and how the traditions, virtues, and values hold true even when different generations question them. She shows that God and Jesus gave us the best, even when we wanted to resist and take negative steps towards it. Deacon Pam shares the realization that all need to face consequences and "own" those in order to grow spiritually. Deacon Pam also shares her gifts in both writing and giving sermons, and now she can look at scripture and bring a dynamic shift and approach to both the reading and how we can look at them in today's modern world. Deacon Pam sends us out into the world to celebrate in the gifts of Christ! I want to thank my sister in Christ for this time, it was a true gift. Thank YOU Rev. Deacon Pay Haynes for all you share with this world!

What does Rev. Deacon Pam Haynes spiritual practices look like? It has evolved, and she has a rule of life. She started with the Daily Office from the Book of Common Prayer and now continues to have daily conversations with God. Her prayer life has expanded into a list around people as well as projects tied to the chuch. Her favorite time is late at night, looking at the moon. Walking in the door to St. Andrew's gives Rev. Pam joy and takes her mind off knee pain and other challenges. She reflects on her first visit to the church, where she listened to a fantastic solo. She responded at the end with a loud Amen, and the priest reassured her, "You be you." She has lived by that motto in her continued discernment to serve. Rev. Pam continues her core minstry around taking people experiencing homelessness to housing. The church started a Daughters of the King chapter, of which she was a part. The church supports twelve non-profit organizations, serving as a central hub for them. Rev. Pam reminds us that, like all deacons, she is the bridge from the church to the world.

A gift to start this Deacon series with the Rev. Pam Haynes serving at St. Andrews in Greensboro, NC. Pam grew up in Washington, D.C., and had a community of family and friends who looked after one another. As an only child and quiet, her parents instilled in her the value of education, and she was not always the outspoken individual she is today, but a more introverted soul. She shares a rich story about how death in an individual was a place where a mother who had passed cared for the child in the form of nature. Touching one person is the work of God. Growing up in a church of fire and brimstone in the Baptist faith, as well as in the love of Jesus in the United Methodist faith, she was able to pivot in and out of both and sing in both choirs of each denomination. Rev. Pam grew up in the height of the civil rights and activism era in the epicenter of D.C., and the impactful dynamic of education. The majority of the time, teachers lived in her neighborhood. Jewish vendors also allowed the black community to buy goods during this troubling time. Pam leaves us with the powerful message to continue moving forward with the power of loving Jesus with all our heart and soul. If we can accomplish this, hate can be eradicated. We must sit in the uncomfortable.

Working with Bishop Shaw and Bishop Allen Gates, it showed him how to give them options and holy choices and invite them to decide navigating. Theological decisions that may not always come to light in the present but come to fruition, such as the Gospel stories from Easter. We don't always know the impact we are having until we are long gone. The story of one person who inspired Billy Graham's revival and how that changed his direction to become a great evangelist. Bp. Sam now considers himself a North Carolinian, his New England self has given way to his experiences here in NC. He trends toward Eastern NC, BBQ, and loves all the excellent food the local parishes offer and those fabulous deviled eggs. The new look of the American pope and the formation of his Holy Order is similar to that of Francis.  He is very respectful of the traditions and theology.  He seamlessly blends the traditions in a challenging time. We want to thank Bishop Sam for this rich time and the NC Diocese for supporting the Seekin' Deacon.

Exploring the "self" and silence, going back to God's biblical stories, and the call of Samuel and how he learns to listen  He drives a lot around the diocese, and the time to turn off the radio and step away from phone calls to take in the scenery of North Carolina and the solitude of God. The impact of COVID was very disruptive. Amid this reality, God did provide some forms of redemptive energy from something awful. Communication and online worship built a bridge, and folks were introduced and joined the community, highlighting the ability to adapt even in such dismal times.   We are not alone, even when we feel isolated; the presence of God continues to guide us in our discovery. Creating and weaving the stories together through God's fingerprints on them. He expresses the gifts if the body of the collective community.

I am honored and priveledged to have spent some time with North Carolina Diocese Bishop Sam Rodman. We discuss his memory of being baptized as a child at four years old with his two sisters, being the middle child. This serves not only as vivid memory of the church but the community that was present in Blanford. He shares a recent baptism story and how the child began to cry, but then grabbed the cross, which calmed her down.  It is the small things that move us during such a celebration. When Bp. Sam was eight years old he visited his grandparents and they took the Sunday of from Church, he decided and insisted to invite the family to his own service with make shift vestments that resulted in good family humor. Rich experiences came from All Saints, Hadley and the Bible Study at a pizza parlor in town. He has been blessed to learn from or be part of a team that offers Bible studies that nourish him. His mom would share in a moring devtion similar to Forward Movment call Our Daily Bread.  Bp. Sam shares his cadence around prayer and other practices.

The Rev. Liam Barr shares his practices of trying to step away from tension and how it has taken over our world. He makes us ponder how we can step away and empty our mind and soul and center. This will result in a release. He asks: How do we limit our access to social media? We lose ourselves when we fall into a space of reaction—the art of slowing down and processing the evocative things that show up through God.   We would like to extend our gratitude to the Rev. Liam Barr for this episode and wish him continued success at the New Hope Project, as well as in his service at Holy Innocents in Henderson, NC.

Growing up in a programmatic church, Rev. Liam Barr gained a different view of church in Costa Rica. The church has depth and meaning related to "who" as a human he is, and possibly trying to dissolve the limitations we have placed on God. The term Pura Vida was adopted by a famous Costa Rican character in a film, which ultimately means pure living/pure life, and was embraced by the culture. The deep relationships built in Costa Rica translate to the deep spirituality in how to live fully and "in the moment". We must ask ourselves: Are we happy and living a full life with God? How do we live in the fullness of life? Rev. Liam also speaks to his rich service with the Latino community at Holy Innocents, a historically grounded Episcopal Church dating back to 1842, in Henderson, North Carolina.

We join the Rev. Liam Barr, Curate serving at Holy Innocents in Henderson, North Carolina. Liam shares that the world is a disorienting place as he questions who he is and how he can do the work and serve. He is five months into being an ordained Priest and is loving the job he is doing in both the Latino community and the "Project Hope" initiative through the NC Episcopal Diocese, at the campus of St. Mark's in Raleigh. He explained his journey has been one more of Peter than Paul, and not so direct in growing up in Greenville, South Carolina.  He caught the church "bug" at Christ Church in Greenville from the youth group activities and the space that everyone belongs to. Christ church has always been a place that can hold him in whatever is placed before him in life. His home church has held a strong relationship with Costa Rica. He has entrenched himself in this meaningful and fruitful work, and has a special love for the country.

Ekklesia Church in Raleigh holds a common ground and welcomes the LGBTQ community, and a love of teaching. A person who was LGBTQ shared with Curtis early on in a moment of humility that they did not want to be a burden to the church. At that moment, he decided the church was "all in" on whatever support they could and did give.  Curtis speaks to the rhythm and cadence of spiritual practices and how they change with the season. He points out to his parishioners not to feel obligated to practice them all because we are all wired different. He loves reading liturgies and fishing in nature as spiritual practices that add to his life. He points out we need to be mindful of the nuances of the Bible and be careful that "the Bible says this" so we are free of causing trauma. His Co-Pastor CJ and himself make sure to show that that text has multiple thoughts and we should not be addicted to certainty.

Curtis discusses how he and his co-pastor, CJ, approach scripture differently. Curtis looks at it from a more musical and artistic view, while CJ, who played quarterback at UNC, views it in a more didactic manner. He goes on to explain how no single person can give a single voice to the Gospel. The church features guest speakers who represent different viewpoints. This former St. Mark's campus is now part of a new initiative launched by the North Carolina Episcopal Diocese, called the New Hope Collaborative. It represents multiple non-profit organizations. Curtis points out that the history of the Ekklesia of Raleigh began in a high school and remained there for fourteen years. When the opportunity presented itself to worship at this new location, they continued to stay connected to the original community at large.

Please join Curtis Mulder, co-pastor at the Ekklesia Church of Raleigh. The church recently moved from a growing and beautiful community that used high school space to St. Mark's, a new community that shares space with non-profits and other ambassadors of love. Curtis shares his Canadian roots, his grounding in teaching, loving, and leading music programs and how they marry with scripture  He was called to move to Raleigh 15 years ago to pursue his passion for ministry. Curtis brings his Canadian "flair" to preaching, which shows in this interview. He also speaks of reconciliation and being the best version of ourselves.

Journey through this final episode with the Rev. Ginny Wilder as she returns home during Hurricane Hugo and spiritually plays Amazing Grace on the front porch of her home in South Carolina. This is a time of beauty with the community and neighbors coming together to sing and laugh. Meeting singer/songwriter Fran McKendree, provided inspiration and he took her under his wing. This revealed that something was in fact "there" around music and sharing with others, even though she is naturally shy and introverted. Her voice was indeed in music and ministry. The final messages she leaves with us and the world, "no one is illegal, nobody is unloved and no one should ever feel unworthy."  Thank you Ginny for making this series memorable. - Cuyler

Friend, in this episode Rev. Ginny is open about soul searching and "soul caring". She shares her practices around keeping healthy boundaries in place and how to be authentic. She left the summer before her senior year of high school to go to boarding school, this allow her to be in full rythme of who she can be but did not realize it at the time. It was a gift from her parents. She shows the importance of being in the right relationship with her beloveds and the position of the church. She has a very eloquent approach and states "God paints a with a brush of all colors" what it means to welcome all people and this being part of the DNA strands of the Episcopal Church.   Away from church was a time for her in the wilderness. She found peace in the mountains and hiking: the taste and rich colors of playing the piano and the thin moments it has offered.

In this episode we spend time with the Rev. Ginny Wilder, she is the Priest serving at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She shares her journey growing up in Summerville, South Carolina. She was raised in an Episcopal Church and a loving community. She journeys on and has a vulnerable conversation with her family that she is gay. She is confronted with this in college as well. She is an acclaimed musician and music gives a space that provides another spiritual outlet. Ginny has a gift for preaching and being present with all under an umbrella of love. The beautiful song at the end of this episode is used with Ginny's permission, titled "Slow Me Down Lord" off her album All Clear. Thank you Ginny for sharing your courageous story and we will have two more episodes with Ginny as part of this series.

We continue letting go with Fr. Mawethu. We dive deep into his spiritual practices and the anchor of the Episcopal Liturgy as part of his journey. Running is a way to feel euphoric and practice a discipline of self-care—the gift of sharing a Psalm each day with his family and reflecting on it together. St. John's has healed his wounds and offered a very creative space. It is a low church with a friendly and welcoming environment. The joy of the Lord is his strength and what we all share.

In this episode of the Seekin' Deacon with Fr. Mawethu Ncaca from St. John's Episcopal Church in Wake Forest, NC, Mawethu shows his struggles with the Bible and making sense of it all. He also shows how there is so much more once one lets go and gives oneself to Christ. Mawethu also speaks of some of his experiences witnessing Nelson Mandela's patience as he navigated through apartheid in South Africa.

Please join Rev. Mawethu Ncaca, the Associate Priest at St. John's Episcopal Church in Wake Forest, NC,  as he shares his rich faith journey. In his contemplative wisdom, Mawethu explores his journey from South Africa to the United States and his immersion into a new and different world. He shows the sometimes unexplainable "feelings" of gratitude and faith.

We explore the landscape and spiritual journey that has both shaped and changed the Rev. Canon Fr. Morales over the years. Silent prayer has been so important in his past practices of a daily three-hour devotion that has taken place for fifteen years. The importance and influence of the Carmelite order, a very human prayer that embraces the contemplative life, our needs to be grounded and to have reasons to pray. Explanation and wisdom around worship and how it needs to move each of us to action. Canon Morales education journey that unfolded spiritually. The powerful statement that "life is prayer."

This episode explores Canon Franklin Morales's journey around vocation and, ultimately, priesthood. The void inside him that something was missing, and his memories of the joys that church offered him in the past. There were signs placed in front of him during the youth phase when he became more involved in teaching Sunday School and serving as an Acolyte. He pondered and desired to get married and have a family, and how that strayed from Catholicism. He encountered a priest that encouraged him to attend retreats designed to help others explore a vocation. He felt the push to keep attending and exploring a calling.

The Rev. Canon Frankin Morales of the NC Episcopal Diocese of Latino Ministry discusses his rich journey of growing up in Venezuela. His Grandpa took him under his wing and introduced him to the robust Catholic Church and the importance of the catechism. He also discusses his relationship with the maternal figure, the Virgin Mary, the never-ending presence of prayer, silence, and obedience, and the repetition of this cadence in daily spiritual life.

The Rev. Jemonde Taylor leans into the history of St. Ambrose. The explanation of the honeycomb and its ties to the community environment, St. Ambrose of Milan, the first Dr., and the honey tongue preacher. Fr. Taylor explores the ancient text and how the family continues to provide his grounding for ministry, faith, and mission with the community. Fr. Taylor's spiritual practices reflect the conversation with God and the slow process in time. The proper order of faith is God, yourself, and your family. Fr. Taylor's final message is to embrace love, without it we are nothing. The relational power that Jesus shows us is how to stand up and hold the world up, which are visible signs of God's kingdom.

The Rev. Jemonde Taylor explains the forward-thinking of St. Ambrsose and the Jazz Mass. He also explores the impact of how music speaks to the people and the basis of beauty in liturgy. The churches DNA is one of embracing black music and how it has reached out effectively to a younger demographic. A beautiful intergenerational service is offered and established through the art of jazz. The original roots of the Jazz Mass go back to the leadership of Rev. Arthur Cochran, rector of St. Ambrose from 1920-1927.

Fr. Jemonde Taylor from St. Ambrose Episcopal Church examines the Christian Church and the strain on the church. The taking of non-Christians for enslavement and the millions of Africans forced to be taken from their homes and also from their land. What are we doing to disrupt that? Fr. Taylor shares practices at St. Ambrose and in the community, the dualistic nature of black vs. white in scripture, and how to dispel these myths. The Ethiopian traditions are rich and touch St. Ambrose in an area of contemplation and peace. Attributes: "Singing in heaven by Stefan Kartenberg (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Sampling Plus license. https://dig.ccmixter.org/files/JeffSpeed68/60797 Ft: deutscheunschuld Transition by texasradiofish (c) copyright 2022 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial  (3.0) license. https://dig.ccmixter.org/files/texasradiofish/64616 Ft: Javolenus, unreal_dm, copperhead, Vidian, Stefan Kartenberg, Morusque (Nurykabe)"  

The Rev. Jemonde Taylor, the Rector at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, shares his journey in faith and spirituality and his growing up in Louisburg, North Carolina. We explore the land and God's creation and how this ties into the forward-thinking ecological initiatives in the surrounding community and the parish.