Rob Pitman ordained to the transitional diaconate

Christ the King Church in the Parish of Fundy and the Lakes was filled with the family, friends and parishioners of Rob Pitman as he was ordained to the transitional diaconate Sept. 28.

Christ and King is where Rob has spent the past 18 months studying and serving in preparation for this day.

Archbishop David Edwards presided and preached. Rob’s presenters were the Ven. Leo Martin, the Rev. Canon Cathy Laskey, Linda Pitman, Christie Duplisea, Matthew Pitman, Joseph Duplisea and Brookelyn Pitman.

Acting as chaplain during the service was the Rev. Paulette Black. The litanist was the Rev. Terence Chandra. Readers were Rob’s children, Christie Duplisea and Matthew Pitman, and the Rev. Ginny Wilmhoff. Rob’s father, Charlie, vested him.

Servers were Tyler McKenna and the Rev. Jasmine Chandra. The crucifer was Jamie Beddow. Shawn Branch acted as masters of ceremonies and Susan Pitman was the pianist.

Rob spoke near the beginning of the service, sharing his history and his path to ordination.

Rob described growing up in a family that always looked after its neighbours.

“My parents taught us to help others, or in the words of my mother, ‘go see if you can help so and so,’” he said, adding that always came with the understanding that you took nothing in return.

Several years ago, he left his well-paying union carpentry job to take the job of sexton as St. Luke’s Portland, in order to meet people he wanted to help.

“I wanted to do ministry on my own terms,” he said.

His path included study at Threshold Ministries, St. Stephen's University and Huron College, and work at Outflow Ministries in their men’s shelter and as a carpentry mentor.

“Most importantly, though, was Mom and Dad taking me and my brothers — sometimes kicking and screaming — to church. The experience made me a better person.”

Rob described the past 18 months at Fundy and the Lakes as a lot of fun with people who have been generous and loving, even when he messed up.

“I look forward to what God has in store,” he said.

In his sermon, Bishop David opened with this statement: “Rob, it’s about time!”

He focused on hearing the call of God, as referenced in the reading from John 1:47-51.

“Jesus calls his disciples, both individually and corporately, but he calls,” said David. “Remember that the call isn’t just for those of us who wear a bit of plastic around our necks. Each of us is called to a ministry. It will look differently depending on who we are.”

David told the story of his friend, a hairdresser, who found Jesus in her 40s. From then on, Sandy wove Jesus into many conversations with her clients.

But her husband didn’t accept her conversion and the marriage broke up. She discovered he had taken out a second mortgage on their house without her knowledge, an act that left her destitute.

She lamented the fact that she had no money to give to the church, but told David of her plan to give free haircuts to those in need in her town. 

‘Ten per cent of my haircuts will be free,’ she told him.

It was David who suggested that God might be directing her to ordained ministry. She felt she was not clever enough, while David assured her that was not a prerequisite.

So in her 50s, she was ordained, and went on to run a prison ministry for many years.

“The impact she had in her town was remarkable,” he said. “She lived what she believed. She lived what she was called to do.

“None of us is exempt from the call.”

David cautioned that while listening to God is paramount, listening to others is vital as well. It is they who might make the suggestion of a particular ministry, thereby confirming what God has already been saying.

He recalled another instance where a woman moved to a sheltered living complex for people, usually seniors, who need a low level of care. It was a friend who said, ‘why don’t you just visit the people there?’ 

That became her ministry, “and it’s as important as my call,” he said.

“Today we gather to celebrate with Rob and his response to the call,” he said. “But remember that everyone in this room who is a follower of Jesus is also called.”

At the conclusion of the service, everyone gathered in the basement for fellowship and refreshments. Bishop David presented Rob with his certificate of ordination and his licence to serve in the Parish of Fundy and the Lakes. 

Rob thanked everyone for coming, with a special word to the Ven. Leo Martin, who has been his mentor for the past 18 months.

“Thank you for putting up with me!” he said.
 
A NOTE FROM ROB
My ordination was an emotional time. Making an oath to commit yourself to serve the church and the promises made carry a lot of weight, and prior to the service, I spent a lot of time reflecting on the questions that were asked in the service. 

In one way these questions are similar to the questions in the Catechism that I made when I was nine years old. However, Holy Orders carry a bit more weight, and this fact wasn’t lost on me leading into Sunday. 

It was also emotional because my mom wasn’t here, having passed on in Glory in 2021. I carried a picture of her in my shirt pocket throughout the day. 

Sunday was a very special day, not just for me but for the parish and my family. It was nice to have them all play a part in the service and to have my Dad vest me was icing on the cake. 

The reception after the service was fantastic. I often hear the words, “we’re too old to do...” and then the folks do what they do best, the turn out en masse and make things happen. 

This is one of the things I love most about this parish. They are fantastic people and hard workers in God’s kingdom. 

For now, I will continue to serve here at the Parish of Fundy and the Lakes and take care of the day-to-day duties of the parish while Archdeacon Leo is away on sabbatical. 

What I know for now is that I am here until the end of the year and I am happy to be here.

Photo captions:
1. Archbishop David Edwards lays hands on Rob Pitman during the ordination service Sept. 28, with chaplain the Rev. Paulette Black at right.
2. An impressive spread awaited parishioners, family and friends of the Rev. Rob Pitman at Christ the King Church in Saint John on the occasion of his ordination to the transitional diaconate on Sept. 28. Here Alice Hatfield is seen arranging food, while priests David Turner, Mike Caines and Greg McMullin are seen in the background.
3. Bishop David presents the newly ordained Rob Pitman to the congregation.
4. The Rev. Rob Pitman receives his diocesan licence from Bishop David.
McKnight photos