Peter's ordination as a "deacon" and not as a "priest" raised interesting questions in the Anglican parish about the difference of roles between a deacon as compared to a priest. St. James' interim rector, the Reverend Canon Tom James, took time out at the Sunday services on December 15 to specifically address these questions.
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Tom James explained how deacons in the Anglican Church can either be perpetual (permanent) or vocational (transitional). In the Anglican church the diaconate is usually transitional and is normally considered to be a year-long apprenticeship for a future priest.
Often the final year seminary students will be ordained as deacons and will spend their last year of studies concurrently serving as a deacon. Therefore, when the student graduates he can immediately be ordained as a priest.
Peter has followed a slightly different course. After his graduation in the spring, Peter will now act as a deacon for the next five months. It is believed that Peter may be ordained as a priest in 1997.
The roles of a deacon in the Anglican church emphasizes the clergy as servants of the church and this is evident in the deacon's role, whether liturgial or pastoral: Peter is expected to prepare the "Table" for worship services, as well as continue to do social service work with the people of the church (the parishioners of the Parish of St. James').
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An ordained deacon wears his "stola" (a long ornamental band or scarf) crossing his chest, as compared with a priest who wears it around his neck and down the front of his tunic. The Reverend Canon lightly commented that this is symbolic of the "half-way" state of the deacon.
Peter is also entitled to wear the clerical collar (affectionately known as the "dog-collar") and to be addressed as "Reverend": thus, Peter may be addressed as "the Reverend C. Peter Simmons."
On a more personal note, and because Peter is a hometown boy of Gravenhurst, it should be noted that he can certainly still be addressed by his Christian name "Peter," as was the case this past weekend, when he was sighted in a local hamburger joint while still dressed in his black and white clerical collar (Peter was between services).
Peter's ties with the Anglican church began in 1963 when he was baptised in St. James' Church by Father William Thistle. In 1973 he was confirmed by the Reverend Roy Locke.
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His parents, Carl and Minnie Martha of Gravenhurst, were ideal role models, serving as Superintendent of the Sunday School School and as Teacher respectively.
As an only son, Peter was happy to have four sisters - Louise Simmons Harcourt, Jo-Anne Simmons, Jane Simmons Partridge, and Christine Simmons Thompson. The latter and her two sons, Brett and Luke are well known within the parish.
The late Barry Thompson and the late Walter Partridge were brothers-in-law whom Peter greatly respected. They acted as his mentors - always ready to listen and to encourage. Brother-in-law, Jim harcourt, remains a valued and uplifting source of guidance.
It was Peter's dear friend, Archdeacon Jack Watson of (affectionately known as Pappy Watson), who was with him during his developing years and became his confidant, the caring person who took him out to lunch, on local drives and talks. Lilias Watson, as Rector's Wife, was (and still is) ever-loving and ever-giving to Peter. Peter and Pappy Watson shared Services at St. Paul's in Uffington, The Church of the Holy Manger in Barkway and St. Stephen's Vankoughnet. In 1990, Peter served as a volunteer for a three to four year period and Pappy was always there. From October 1987 to August 1988 Peter was on contract to the Diocese of Algoma as he assisted at these Churches.
Peter received his Bacholor of Arts (B.A.) and Masters (M.A.) degrees from the University of Guelph; he was awarded the Master of Divinity degree at Trinity College, University of Toronto.
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In the years 1989 to 1993 Peter was employed by Raymond Walton Hunter, Planning consultants, with friends Mr. Rick Hunter, Mr. Ross Raymond and Mrs. Margaret Walton. In the summer of 1995, Peter served as Student-in-Charge at McGregor Bay in the Sudbury/Manitoulin area. In the summer of 1996 he served as Student at the Church of St. John the Baptist at Ravenscliffe, and as Pastoral Assistant at St. James' in Gravenhurst, also at the Church of the Holy Manger in Barkway.
When Father Michael Wright became rector of St. James' in 1986 he took a special interest in Peter and over the years they became "as brothers." In 1997 Peter will gain new valuable experience as Assistant Curate with Michael in All Saints' Church, Peterborough, for five months. While Muskoka is part of the large Anglican Diocese of Algoma (which stretches from beyond Thunder Bay to Severn Bridge), Peterborough is part of the Toronto Diocese. Peter will be on temporary leave from the Diocese of Algoma by permission of Bishop Ronald Ferris.
Peter remains at St. James' Church, Gravenhurst, as Pastoral Assistant until December 31, 1996, serving with the Reverend Canon Tom James.
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