deacons
Information about the ministry of deacons and resources for deacons.
Deacons are called by their vows to make Christ’s redemptive love known to the poor, the weak, the sick and the lonely (BCP p.543).
Modelling servant ministry in their daily life and work, deacons are icons of servant ministry through their liturgical roles in worship. At all times, by their life and teaching, deacons are to show Christ’s people that in serving others they serve Christ himself. It is also the special responsibility of deacons to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns and hopes of the world. Deacons entrust their gifts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order to empower others to name, claim and engage fully the work God gives us all to do.
Archdeacon
The Venerable Carter Sinclair is the Archdeacon of the Diocese, sinclair.carter@gmail.com.
Archdeacon Carter was born in Baltimore, MD, and grew up in Virginia Beach where he currently resides. He graduated from First Colonial High School, attended Hampden-Sydney College and graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Civil Engineering. He has been married to Ellen Overman Sinclair for over 49 years; together they have two children and four grandchildren.
Archdeacon Carter’s career has included working in the Marine Construction business and as a design Structural Engineer. He formed the company Sinclair Pratt Cameron in 1985 and retired as president in 2023. Currently, he serves as a Structural Specialist with Virginia Task Force 2, which is a part of the FEMA USAR response system.
Archdeacon Carter attended Eastern Shore Chapel as a child and adult. While there, he served in many capacities including Senior Warden, EFM Mentor, leader of mission trips and mentor in the J2A program. In 2015 he discerned a call to the Vocational Diaconate and was ordained in 2018.
Archdeacon Carter served at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Kempsville, both as an intern and Deacon, retiring from active ministry there in January of 2025.
Archdeacon Carter serves on the Building and Grounds Committee for Chanco, the Board of Canterbury Center at Old Dominion University, and as a trainer for THRIVE!
Resources
Association for Episcopal Deacons
Becoming a Vocational Deacon
Click here for information about the Ordination Exploration Process for the Vocational Diaconate.
The Deacons Formation Collaborative (DFC) prepares deacons for ministry in the Episcopal Church according to competencies developed by the Association for Episcopal Deacons (AED) and based upon the Canons of the church. All materials are examined through a unique diaconal lens. The DFC is designed to make theological education and ministerial formation for those preparing to be deacons less time-bound and more relational, accessible, integrated, and practical. During the two-year, self-paced program, students are supported by mentors and encouraged to use and practice what they have learned within their own church and ministry context.
For more information about the DFC and the Ordination Exploration Process for the Vocational Diaconate contact the Rev. Dr. Ross M. Wright, Director of Vocational Ministries, rwright@diosova.org.